Who was ripping off who? Hotel grossly overcharged for services. Said 100,000 for bottles of Champagne if I recall correctly. It's all markup and way above the actual cost.

Most flyertalk members are avid shoppers though. And we wouldn't overpay for hotels.

Example: Hilton doubletree in midtown east is $99 a night which is a 4 star hotel and in a really good section by the subway.