freezer manufacturer - totally.

unless the malfunction was maybe the result of bad maintenance or a lack of maintenance from the hotel or some other party who was supposed to maintain the thing. like if it was 'rented' equipment installed in the hotel under some contract that included regular inspection/maintenance.

and yeah - this will totally come down to buck passing. hell, it's already happening. it always happens in these cases.

the real deal is the search by the plaintiff for the deep pocket - hotel owner/franchisee, freezer manufacturer, security firm, et al. sue 'em all and let the judge/jury sort 'em out.