Use of hotel minibars

[love_the_life]

Hilton in Sydney had the dreaded automatic charge minibar - rather tacky I thought. We had a bit of a stoush over a packet of macadamia nuts which were charged to us but not even picked up to look at. It was easy to spot the fridge items as auto-charge but the nuts etc were in a box with teeny weeny writing on the side that indicated it was auto charge. Anyone could have bumped or moved the nuts but they did remove the charge when we complained though not with particularly good grace (as if they were doing something special for us, just this once)!
That was the last time we stayed there, a couple of years ago. It was the straw that broke the camel's back, terrible service all round and the club lounge had gone right downhill.
When I was working I would very occasionally have something from the mini-bar. The worst thing was a premix gin and lemon in some dive in Brisbane. Cost a bomb and tasted feral!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hilton in Sydney had the dreaded automatic charge minibar - rather tacky I thought. We had a bit of a stoush over a packet of macadamia nuts which were charged to us but not even picked up to look at. It was easy to spot the fridge items as auto-charge but the nuts etc were in a box with teeny weeny writing on the side that indicated it was auto charge. Anyone could have bumped or moved the nuts but they did remove the charge when we complained though not with particularly good grace (as if they were doing something special for us, just this once)!
That was the last time we stayed there, a couple of years ago. It was the straw that broke the camel's back, terrible service all round and the club lounge had gone right downhill.
When I was working I would very occasionally have something from the mini-bar. The worst thing was a premix gin and lemon in some dive in Brisbane. Cost a bomb and tasted feral!

It would be interesting to know consumer rights for something like this. I suspect charging for goods looked at or touched, but not consumed, would be on shaky ground.

 

[drross]

Reminded of So in Singapore. All minibar stock (sans alcohol) was gratis.

just stayed in a delightful place in the countryside in Cuba where everything in the minibar, including both cans of beer, were free

 

[NZflygirl]

I remember speaking to a guy that worked for a hotel once and he said people used to put tea back in place of johnny walker, or even try restuffing the chocolate bar wrapping so I can see why the automatic mini bar came in. I personally think replacing like with like is ok but I guess there's a few bad apples out there ruining it for everyone else.

 

[Mattg]

I think I'm yet to find what I would consider a reasonably-priced minibar in a major hotel chain. I avoid them like the plague.

I must say, I was pretty shocked by this effort from Crowne Plaza in Canberra a while back...

 

[kermatu]

One of the Hyatt brand chains (Andaz) seem to have free mini-bar selections. Certainly made use of this in LA and NYC -- soft drink, beer, juice, nuts, muesli bars etc. A very smart approach as it's built into the room rate I'm sure, and given you can buy the same items very easily in such big cities, I'm sure it works out better for the hotel.

 

[Ausbt]

Anyone pull the swap-a-roo for their own stock? If I check into a hotel mid-arvo occassionally I'll check what type of beer is in the minibar and then pickup a bottle or two while I'm out. Then, I swap out my warm, cheap purchased beer with the coldies in the bar for my nightcap. Oz minibar pricing has long been over-the-top but occassionally I see a regional three-star motel with good deals, where a full-strengh can might be $4. Kudos to the operators of those. The air-bars are offensive, I'll call for a bucket of ice. Ovolo Laneways in Melb spruiks it's free minibar which is nice but unltimately reflected in the price anyway, I'd say.

 

[snabbu]

I remember speaking to a guy that worked for a hotel once and he said people used to put tea back in place of johnny walker, or even try restuffing the chocolate bar wrapping so I can see why the automatic mini bar came in. I personally think replacing like with like is ok but I guess there's a few bad apples out there ruining it for everyone else.

Replacing items like you describe is a common occurrence. You would think the lower end of the market would be more susceptible to this practice but it's more prevalent in 5 star hotels.

 

[sausagefingers]

only if I am traveling for work, that morning Redbull is too tempting, besides its on the company anyway.

 

[Foreigner]

I remember speaking to a guy that worked for a hotel once and he said people used to put tea back in place of johnny walker, or even try restuffing the chocolate bar wrapping so I can see why the automatic mini bar came in. I personally think replacing like with like is ok but I guess there's a few bad apples out there ruining it for everyone else.

Some airline crew in the past were notorious for above practices.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Anyone pull the swap-a-roo for their own stock? If I check into a hotel mid-arvo occassionally I'll check what type of beer is in the minibar and then pickup a bottle or two while I'm out. Then, I swap out my warm, cheap purchased beer with the coldies in the bar for my nightcap. Oz minibar pricing has long been over-the-top but occassionally I see a regional three-star motel with good deals, where a full-strengh can might be $4. Kudos to the operators of those. The air-bars are offensive, I'll call for a bucket of ice. Ovolo Laneways in Melb spruiks it's free minibar which is nice but unltimately reflected in the price anyway, I'd say.

Yep, quite often pick up replacement stock if we use what's in the fridge - only soft drink/water though. If I want alcohol, I'll buy my own and put it in the fridge (taking out their stock). Clearly I've not stayed in high end hotels enough lately to know about this 'automatic mini bar' that you all speak of. Must avoid those!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'll use a mini-bar, but not extensively. If I get in late and feel like a wine, I'll have it. I rarely look at the price as I know it will be ridiculous. Often check out will not bill the minibar use on a few items.....even when I tell them about it, so I think it's bit of "swings and roundabouts".

Once, with the family, I'd taken all the auto-charge stuff out before it dawned on me that it was an auto charge fridge (I blame a grey moment). I mentioned it to the checkout lady and she simply said, yes, we know you didn't consume the whole minibar and haven't charged you for it! (we also didn't have any of it...we just wanted the fridge space for our stuff)

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Try shifting a bottle in LV - you are instructed at check in 'you move it you pay for it'.

No biggie - ice machines on every floor - an ice bucket easily obtainable. And don't forget to email reservations prior to arrival nicely asking for mini fridge for your medicines - easy peasy.

Of course easiest method in any hotel in any country is just go out for a drink or drink TOD.

 

[boomy]

If I'm staying more than one night ill occasionally grab a cold one and replace it the next day. Easy to do if the hotel has an executive lounge but otherwise can be a hassle to buy from outside before the room is cleaned.

I did forget to replace a few times and payed the fine

 

[RooFlyer]

It would be interesting to know consumer rights for something like this. I suspect charging for goods looked at or touched, but not consumed, would be on shaky ground.

If there is a sign that says moved items will be charged, then they are covered - not for 'looking at', or mistakes, but if you move it, its yours.

I don't like the practice either, but it would appear to 'fight' the stealing practice of consuming the contents and then replacing with tea etc.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If there is a sign that says moved items will be charged, then they are covered - not for 'looking at', or mistakes, but if you move it, its yours.

I don't like the practice either, but it would appear to 'fight' the stealing practice of consuming the contents and then replacing with tea etc.

Yes yes, but I'm not actually sure that's legal

edited: I guess the issue is that they probably have the right to put the charge on the bill... but if you haven't consumed the product (or otherwise tampered with it) - can they legally make the charge stick?

 

[Himeno]

Agree. Can't stand them either. The idea that if you pick up an item then you bought it doesn't sit well with me at all.

Or if something hits the fridge with enough force to nudge an item inside off its sensor.

 

[Milboo]

I will usually grab a water from it and maybe a soft drink but that's usually it. But I will add in my own water etc that I pick up or move the free bottle from bedside the bed in to chill.

I remember getting the charge for a can of Pepsi and a bottle of water at the Ritz Carlton in Singapore - was astronomical and beyond the range of normal MB prices. Without blinking an eyelid they removed the charge and she quietly mentioned that a lot of people complained how high the prices were vs normal.

 

[cjd600]

Try shifting a bottle in LV - you are instructed at check in 'you move it you pay for it'.

staying at Wynn LV in March they had a stated 30sec delay on 'remove and get charged'.
Was quite handy for the 'shuffle ours for their's' trick

 

[Conrad_S]

We flutter in the wind according to our whim and the weather. Very occasionally we do have something from the minibar. If we are there for a few days we sometimes replace. Having space for our own things in the fridge is now a factor in choosing a hotel.
A hotel in London last year even had the power adaptor in the move and you pay minibar fridge. We'll never stay there again.