Frequently Asked Questions: Hotel Ice Machine Leasing

Leasing ice machines offers numerous advantages for hotels and hospitality properties:

• No capital expenditure: Preserve your capital budget for other investments while still having access to premium ice equipment.
• Maintenance included: All service, repairs, and parts are covered in your lease, eliminating unexpected expenses.
• Regular sanitization: Professional cleaning and sanitization ensure your ice meets health department standards.
• Tax benefits: Lease payments are typically 100% tax-deductible as a business expense.
• Equipment upgrades: When technology improves or your needs change, you can upgrade without having to sell old equipment.
• Predictable monthly cost: Simplify budgeting with a fixed monthly payment that covers equipment and maintenance.

For busy hotel operations, leasing eliminates the headaches of ownership while ensuring reliable ice production for your guests and staff.

Our comprehensive hotel ice machine leasing program includes:

• The ice machine(s) and bin(s) - We'll provide appropriately sized Manitowoc, Hoshizaki, or Ice-O-Matic equipment based on your specific needs.
• Professional installation (optional) - Complete setup at your property, including water line connection and proper drainage.
• Preventative maintenance* (optional) - Regular scheduled service to keep machines running optimally (typically 2-4 times per year depending on your environment).
• Filter changes* (optional) - Regular replacement of water filters to ensure clean, great-tasting ice.
• Repairs and parts - All repair costs, including parts and labor, are covered for the duration of your rental - leases carry 3 full years.
• 24/7 Phone Support / service - Priority response for hotels to minimize any downtime.
• Sanitization Auto clean system (Available)- Professional cleaning to prevent mold, bacteria, and scale buildup.
• Manufacture Certified Service Techs  - In each state has professionals who know the equipment, all Ice Machine manufactures, Manitowoc, Hoshizaki, Scotsman and Iceomatic.   Delivering repairs for critical situations.

The lease provides truly hassle-free ice production, allowing your hotel staff to focus on guest satisfaction rather than equipment maintenance.

For standard installations at hotel properties, we typically can deliver equipment within 3-5 business days after the lease agreement is finalized and 24-48hrs after delivery, installed (if required).  For multi-machine installations or properties requiring special configurations, the timeline may extend to 7-10 business days for delivery and 24-48hrs installation (if required).

If you have an emergency situation (such as multiple machine failures), we offer expedited installation options and can often provide temporary equipment while preparing for permanent installation. Our hospitality specialists understand the critical nature of ice availability for guest satisfaction and will prioritize your needs accordingly.

During the pre-installation phase, we may conduct a site survey to identify optimal machine placement, verify water supply connections, ensure proper drainage, and confirm electrical requirements. This thorough preparation ensures a smooth, efficient installation process.

Hotel ice machine requirements vary based on several factors including property size, occupancy rates, amenities, and specific departmental needs. Here are general guidelines:

• Guest floor hallway machines: Typically 300-500 lbs daily production with 120-180 lb storage bins. We recommend Manitowoc ID-0522A or Hoshizaki KM-520MAJ models for most hotel floors.
• Restaurant/dining areas: 500-800 lbs daily production with larger storage capacity. Ice-O-Matic GEM0650 or Manitowoc IYT0620A are popular choices.
• Bar/lounge service: Specialty ice machines producing 300-500 lbs of clear cubes or distinctive shapes. Hoshizaki KM-901MAH is excellent for craft cocktail programs.
• Banquet/event spaces: High-capacity machines producing 800-1,500+ lbs daily. Manitowoc IYF1800C and Hoshizaki F-1501MRJ are designed for event needs.
• Back-of-house operations: 500-1000 lbs with options for specialty ice types (flaked for food displays, etc.). Scotsman F1222 is popular for kitchen operations.

For a typical 150-room hotel, we generally recommend 4-6 ice machines strategically placed throughout the property. Our hospitality specialists can provide a customized assessment based on your specific property configuration and guest demographics.

Yes, we offer premium ice machine options specifically designed for luxury and boutique hotel properties that emphasize guest experience and aesthetic integration:

• Hoshizaki KM Edge Series - Produces crystal-clear crescent cubes ideal for upscale cocktail programs and VIP guest service. These machines are favored by luxury properties for their consistent quality and reliability.
• Manitowoc Indigo NXT - Features programmable ice production, touchscreen controls, and exceptionally quiet operation—perfect for placement near guest rooms without disruption.
• Scotsman Brilliance Series - Produces gourmet ice cubes with custom clarity levels and shapes for distinctive beverage service.
• Ice-O-Matic Elevation Series - Offers sleek designs with antimicrobial protection and reduced footprint for boutique spaces.

For luxury properties, we also offer customized cabinet finishes and specialized installation to seamlessly integrate ice machines with your property's design aesthetic. Our hotel specialists understand that in luxury and boutique environments, equipment should complement your carefully designed spaces while delivering exceptional performance.

We offer a variety of ice types to meet the specific needs of different hotel departments:

• Full cube ice - The classic solid cube that melts slowly, ideal for guest self-service areas, banquet functions, and back-of-house operations. (Manitowoc IY Series, Ice-O-Matic ICE Series)
• Half cube ice - Versatile smaller cubes that are excellent for beverage service and guest rooms, offering better liquid displacement. (Manitowoc ID Series, Hoshizaki KM Series)
• Crescent ice - Distinctive half-moon shaped ice that's clear, hard, and melts slowly, perfect for upscale bars and VIP service. (Hoshizaki KM Edge Series)
• Nugget ice - Soft, chewable ice that's popular for self-serve beverage stations. (Scotsman Nugget Ice Series, Ice-O-Matic Pearl Ice)
• Flake ice - Soft, moldable ice ideal for food displays, buffets, and spa applications. (Hoshizaki F Series, Manitowoc RF Series)
• Gourmet ice - Ultra-clear, slow-melting premium cubes for craft cocktail programs and executive lounges. (Scotsman Brilliance Series)

Many of our hotel clients utilize multiple ice types across their property to optimize each operational area. For example, full cubes for guest floors, crescent ice for the bar, and flake ice for the kitchen and buffet presentations.

For hotel properties, we implement a proactive maintenance schedule designed to prevent issues before they occur and ensure continuous operation:

• Standard preventative maintenance: Performed quarterly (every 3 months) for machines in high-traffic hotel areas such as guest floors and restaurant/bar operations.
• Deep cleaning and sanitization: Conducted bi-annually (every 6 months) to thoroughly disassemble, clean, sanitize, and inspect all components.
• Water filter replacement: Typically every 6 months, but may be more frequent in areas with poor water quality or high sediment levels.
• Condenser cleaning: Every 3 months to ensure optimal energy efficiency and performance.

Our maintenance for hotel clients is scheduled during non-peak hours to minimize any impact on guest service. We also maintain detailed service records for health department inspections and your property's quality assurance programs.

For seasonal properties or those with fluctuating occupancy, we can customize maintenance schedules to align with your busy seasons, ensuring peak performance when you need it most.

We understand that ice machine failures during peak periods can significantly impact guest satisfaction. For hotel clients, we offer priority emergency service with several key benefits:

• 24/7 emergency hotline dedicated to hospitality clients, ensuring you always reach a live person.
• 4-hour maximum response time for hotels, with most service calls addressed within 2 hours.
• Emergency ice delivery to bridge any gap while repairs are being made.
• Temporary replacement machines for situations where repairs cannot be completed immediately.
• Technicians specifically trained in hospitality equipment who understand the urgency of guest service recovery.

Our service vehicles are stocked with the most common replacement parts specifically for Manitowoc, Hoshizaki, and Ice-O-Matic hotel models, allowing our technicians to complete most repairs in a single visit.

For multi-property hotel management companies, we offer special service level agreements that include guaranteed response times and dedicated technical support.

While our comprehensive lease program covers all technical maintenance, we do recommend minimal daily/weekly checks by hotel staff to ensure optimal performance and sanitation between our service visits:

• Daily visual inspection of ice quality and machine exterior cleanliness.
• Weekly cleaning of external bin door and scoop storage area using mild soap and water.
• Proper ice scoop handling - Training staff to use the hanging bracket or dedicated holder (never store the scoop in the ice).
• Immediate reporting of any changes in ice production, quality, or unusual noises.

We provide a simple one-page maintenance checklist for your housekeeping or engineering team and can conduct brief staff training sessions during installation to ensure everyone understands proper ice handling protocols.

For hotel clients, we also offer optional quarterly staff training on ice safety and machine operation as part of our premium service package. This is particularly valuable for properties with high staff turnover.

Hotel ice machine lease costs vary based on several factors including machine size, quantity, model type, and lease term. Here's a general pricing overview:

• Standard guest floor ice machines (300-500 lbs/day): $179-$249/month per machine
• Restaurant/bar ice machines (500-800 lbs/day): $229-$299/month per machine
• High-capacity banquet/event machines (800+ lbs/day): $289-$399/month per machine
• Specialty ice machines (gourmet ice, flake ice): $249-$349/month per machine

For multi-machine hotel installations, we offer package pricing with volume discounts. For example, a typical 150-room hotel requiring 5 strategically placed machines might see an average monthly investment of $1,000-$1,400 covering all equipment, maintenance, and service.

It's important to note that leasing includes significant value beyond the equipment itself. When comparing costs to purchase, remember that maintenance (averaging $600-$900 annually per machine), repairs, parts, filters, and eventual replacement costs are all included in your lease payment.

We're happy to provide a detailed, customized quote for your specific property after conducting a needs assessment.

We offer flexible lease terms designed specifically for the hospitality industry:

• Standard hotel lease terms: 36, 48, or 60 months
• Seasonal property options: 9-month operational leases with reduced payments during 3-month off-seasons
• Short-term flexibility: 24-month terms available for properties undergoing renovation or transitional management
• Multi-property portfolio: Customized master lease agreements for hotel management companies with multiple locations

Longer terms offer lower monthly payments, while shorter terms provide more flexibility. All lease terms include our full maintenance and service package regardless of length.

For hotel groups, we can structure co-terminus leases that align multiple properties' expiration dates to simplify fleet management and future negotiations.

At lease end, you have several options: upgrade to newer models, continue with the current equipment at a reduced rate, or adjust your equipment mix based on changing needs.

Our hotel lease program is designed to be comprehensive with few additional costs. The monthly payment includes:

• Equipment lease
• All preventative maintenance
• Parts and repairs
• Labor for service calls
• Filter replacements
• Sanitization services

The only additional costs typically incurred by hotels are:

• Utilities: Electricity and water to operate the machines
• Damage repairs: Service needed due to misuse, vandalism, or failure to follow basic maintenance protocols
• Relocation fees: If you need to move machines after initial installation (typically $200-$350 depending on complexity)
• After-hours emergency calls: For service requests outside standard business hours that are not machine failures (e.g., clogs due to misuse)

For new hotel construction or major renovations, there may be one-time installation costs if special plumbing, electrical, or drainage modifications are required beyond standard connections. We'll identify these during the pre-installation site survey and include them in your initial quote.

Yes, we offer flexible options for hotels to adjust their ice machine fleet as needs evolve:

• Equipment upgrades: You can upgrade to larger capacity or newer technology machines at any point. The remaining term on your current lease will be factored into the new lease.
• Additional machines: New machines can be added to your existing contract with either co-terminus leasing (matching your current end date) or as separate leases.
• Seasonal adjustments: For properties with significant seasonal fluctuations, we offer temporary additional machines during peak periods.
• Relocation services: If your property undergoes renovation or repurposing, we can relocate existing machines to better serve the new layout.

For growing hotel properties or those undergoing phased renovations, we offer a "scale-up program" that anticipates future needs and builds in predetermined pricing for additional equipment.

We understand that hotel operations evolve, whether due to occupancy changes, new food and beverage concepts, or property expansions. Our lease flexibility is designed to support these changes without penalizing you for business growth.