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Comments (5)
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Save/ShareJust how much extra do you pay for the convenience of drinks and snacks in a hotel minibar?
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Goes without saying: You'll save quite a bit by keeping your hands off the minibar and taking a stroll to the grocery store. It's a good idea to get out of the hotel from time to time too.
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The one that really gets me is the hotel that has a "minibar" of jars on top of the dresser that charges you if you move the jars that are sitting on that tray!! Even if you pick them up or shove them inadvertently and never open them, you can get charged $8 for a jar of gummy bears. And moving the whole tray for more counter space? Cha-Ching, Cha-Ching!
Posted By CAS on August 2, 2010, 1:07 PM
I've had the situation CAS describes wherein we moved some items in the mini-bar fridge and told the Front Desk that we were moving the items (Cokes, etc...) which would be on top of the mini-bar. The Front Desk people said no problem. Also, the hotel's mini-bar items were clearly viewable by the mini-bar attendant during the whole stay. Nevertheless, when check-out time came, we were charged for EVERY REMOVED ITEM, EVERY DAY! This was the Westin Paris (and thus there were very pricey mini-bar goods) so I think our mini-bar bill was about $600 for a 4 night stay. They, of course, removed the charges but still..
Now my practice is to contact the hotel in advance and request that the mini-bar be emptied out prior to my arrival. I've never had a place refuse to do this.
Posted By Shari on August 2, 2010, 2:29 PM
Reacting to Shari's comments. WOW! that's highway ... oops, hotel robbery. I will copy your idea and also request the hotel and other such places to empty the minibar. Thanks for the tip.
Posted By Brigitte on August 2, 2010, 4:40 PM
What gets to me is we own a timeshare in Cabo San Lucas with high maintenance fees, etc. and we are supposed to have a frig. and they fill the entire door with their beer, sodas, and we have very little room for our own drinks.. And, they leave chips, coffee, and water on top of the counter which we cannot remove or we will be charged; even if it is put in cabinets.
Posted By Darleene on August 2, 2010, 7:01 PM
We've had similar things happen on cruise ships, so now, the first thing we do when we meet our room steward/stewardess, on a cruise, is to request that the mini bar be cleaned out. They have been very accommodating about doing this. Not only does this save us money, but it gives us some space to keep some bottled water that we buy ashore, etc.
Posted By txsun on August 3, 2010, 2:14 AM