Fee to empty mini bar fridge
Jun 6, 2019, 12:33 pm
#46
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
I guess "anything we don't like we can blame on Marriott" must be a Starwood thing.
Jun 6, 2019, 12:35 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
Actually back when the Starwood resorts at Disney had minibars if you did this, they bought you a "medication refrigerator". It was about the size of a safe, but it worked. (Had friends with kids who needed insulin who always got one)
Jun 6, 2019, 10:01 pm
#48
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If this from your actual experience? I ask because there are two things wrong with your post:
1. I've never had a problem doing this or having charges wiped from my bill
2. If I were going to go to the 7-11 to buy identical booze for half the price, then why in the world would I go to all the trouble of taking from the minibar and replacing? Because it's easier to go to the 7-11 at the end of my stay rather than at the beginning?
Anyway, whether hotels like it or not, it's a very simple solution that works just fine, and is generally drama-free.
1. I've never had a problem doing this or having charges wiped from my bill
2. If I were going to go to the 7-11 to buy identical booze for half the price, then why in the world would I go to all the trouble of taking from the minibar and replacing? Because it's easier to go to the 7-11 at the end of my stay rather than at the beginning?
Anyway, whether hotels like it or not, it's a very simple solution that works just fine, and is generally drama-free.
2. Yes, exactly. You go once at the end of your stay when you know exactly what you need to replace.
Jun 7, 2019, 3:19 am
#49
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 902
Although I suppose technically they could still try to charge a fee for this. Or just bring a padlock to the room 
. Especially when they see you sipping a cocktail at the bar that evening!
Seriously, the easiest way to do this, without needing to lie or waste a lot of time is just remove stuff, put it back before you leave and stop once at the desk to remove any charges. You can't be charged for removing stuff (if you put it back), but not consuming it.
. Especially when they see you sipping a cocktail at the bar that evening!Seriously, the easiest way to do this, without needing to lie or waste a lot of time is just remove stuff, put it back before you leave and stop once at the desk to remove any charges. You can't be charged for removing stuff (if you put it back), but not consuming it.
more modern minibars, especially those electronically connected, can be remotedly locked by the front desk. this is very commonly done when guests run out of credit midstay or refuse to provide a cc preauthorization when checking-in on a prepaid booking. also, when guests request due to children staying in the room.
Jun 7, 2019, 8:02 am
#50
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Jun 7, 2019, 8:03 am
#51
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Jun 7, 2019, 8:10 am
#52
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You are absolutely right but might be too late for our current stay. We are on a 7 night certificate at the Boscolo Exedra Nice under husband name (who has Gold status with zero recognition at this property).
Jun 7, 2019, 8:12 am
#53
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Probably a practice in the region. I am in Nice
Last edited by peroorim; Jun 8, 2019 at 3:56 pm
Jun 7, 2019, 8:14 am
#54
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To futherr clarify...there is only one autograph property is paris...it lists BOTH:
mini-Bar for a fee
AND
mini-refrigerator
So- the hotel posts BOTH as amenities.... importantly, they list the minibar as having a fee, since their posting of an ''amenity' can be construed to be a contract, and they dont want people claiming 'they listed a minimar as an included amenity, so I drank it". By then listing a refrige, without a fee, it is -or should be- a free amenity.
Its that simple, in the case of the Paris location. IMO of course
mini-Bar for a fee
AND
mini-refrigerator
So- the hotel posts BOTH as amenities.... importantly, they list the minibar as having a fee, since their posting of an ''amenity' can be construed to be a contract, and they dont want people claiming 'they listed a minimar as an included amenity, so I drank it". By then listing a refrige, without a fee, it is -or should be- a free amenity.
Its that simple, in the case of the Paris location. IMO of course
I am staying in Nice.
Last edited by peroorim; Jun 8, 2019 at 3:56 pm
Jun 7, 2019, 8:54 pm
#55
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 217
Guess the guy didn't read what I wrote....the St. Regis had this fee. Maybe he will assume they just added it after the merger.
Question though, since most of these hotels aren't owned by Marriott (or Starwood before), would the be *required* to charge certain fees? Or do they just do this "because they can"?
Jun 7, 2019, 9:09 pm
#56
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Jun 12, 2019, 7:32 pm
#57
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Neither the W Opera nor the Marriott Rive Gauche have such a fee. At the Rive Gauche, in fact, the mini-bar CONTENTS are free with your stay, at least as an ambassador in a suite...not sure if this is a status and/or room type benefit or standard policy. At the W Opera, they just told me to make sure I put everything back before checkout.
Jun 18, 2019, 5:19 am
#58
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: CGN
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This could be so hilarious if it were not so sad. At what lengths do some hotels go to squeeze out a further dime from customers. That must be a guarantee to never have customer return.
I often have long-time stays at hotels (1-3 weeks). What I usually do at check-in is to ask them to clear out the mini bar (and snack bar) completely and openly state that I will be buying some drinks and food from a local store. Not because I am a scrooge, but because I do not want to persist on an evening diet of coke, mini-jack-daniels and potato chips.
I have NEVER had the hotel charge me (or even complain) at that request. Quite the opposite: In the last hotel in Hong Kong I stayed, they even recommended a supermarket down the street, where I could stock up on fruit.
I often have long-time stays at hotels (1-3 weeks). What I usually do at check-in is to ask them to clear out the mini bar (and snack bar) completely and openly state that I will be buying some drinks and food from a local store. Not because I am a scrooge, but because I do not want to persist on an evening diet of coke, mini-jack-daniels and potato chips.
I have NEVER had the hotel charge me (or even complain) at that request. Quite the opposite: In the last hotel in Hong Kong I stayed, they even recommended a supermarket down the street, where I could stock up on fruit.
Jun 18, 2019, 6:06 am
#60
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Kent, UK
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Stayed at Caesars Palace in Vegas some years ago and it was fitted with a "sensor" mini bar/refrigerator. Called room service and a man was at the door with another refrigerator for me within five minutes. No extra charge and that's what I call good service.