Style File: Vending Gift Shop

WSVN -- This is not your average break room vending machine where a buck gets you a bag of chips.

At the Mondrian in South Beach, hotel guests and just curious locals are stopping by to get a look at Semi-Automatic, a gift shop vending machine.

Susi Altman: "This system is just amazing. I've never seen anything like it. The sky is the limit as far as what is available to purchase."

It's definitely not recession-friendly, but the peeps at the Mondrian say that's the point.

Reo Davis: "We believe here at the Mondrian that the recession has not hit everyone. As a matter of fact, we came up with a slogan. It says, 'Recess is On.'"

With that in mind, the machine is filled with hundreds of items from your basic needs to extravagant gifts. Just have your credit card ready.

Reo Davis: "You scroll through, find the item you would like to purchase, and you press a button. The machine finds it and brings it, and it's yours."

Just like a gift shop, you can buy a designer tooth brush, breath mints, sunscreen, sunglasses.

Susi Altman: "I came down to buy the basic toothbrush. There's not a shop around, and I need a toothbrush."

There are DVDs and video gaming systems, bikinis for the pool, even this Jean Paul Gaultier dress for a night on the town, and for the people feeling a little frisky...

Reo Davis: "We have gold-plated handcuffs. We have some lovely sensuous lingerie. We have a spa package where you can both get a massage together."

If you're a real big spender you can actually buy this penthouse apartment at the Mondrian or get a voucher for a Rolls Royce convertible or other high-end cars.

How's that for leaving the recession in the dust?

Mondrian is now rolling out the Semi-Automatic machines out in all of their hotels around the country.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Mondrian Hotel
1100 West Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 672-2662