Is refrigerator can be expected as standard item?
May 27, 2018, 6:51 pm
#16
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
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After 1,000+ (1,725 nights) SPG stays around the world, I can confirm that many properties do not have a fridge, and not all properties have a minibar.
So as per others, to have 500+ nights under your belt and not have encountered a property without a mini-fridge/cooler box is pretty remarkable, IMHO. Unless the sample size of the properties is not diverse...
And yes, when I have requested that a mini-fridge be placed into my room, I am asked to pay a per day rate, which I oblige.
So as per others, to have 500+ nights under your belt and not have encountered a property without a mini-fridge/cooler box is pretty remarkable, IMHO. Unless the sample size of the properties is not diverse...
And yes, when I have requested that a mini-fridge be placed into my room, I am asked to pay a per day rate, which I oblige.
May 28, 2018, 9:57 am
#17
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Sacramento, CA
Programs: SPG/Marriott Platinum and United Silver
Posts: 7
75% Hit Rate for Refrigerators
I only have 500 nights between SPG and Marriott. But, I’ve stayed in a variety of hotels around the world. I would say that having a refrigerator or mini bar in the room has been roughly 75% - I always look for it since I like cold bottled water. At the last 2 hotels I’ve stayed in, Sheraton Grand in Sacramento and Park Central (except in the Presidential suite), San Francisco (both SPG), the rooms did not come standard with mini bar or refrigerator. I had to request one to be sent up. I am Platinum and have never been charged.if you need one, request one early, since for hotels where the refrigerator isn’t standard, they are limited.
May 28, 2018, 10:37 am
#18
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I’m with OP. With little over 800 nights I’ve never been in a hotel that did not have a minibar. Only a few hostels and low-level guesthouses (back in the days).
May 28, 2018, 10:43 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
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advice
I often put "Fridge" in my PLAT upgrade requests. Rarely is granted. All you need/want is a mini-bar fridge. That is pretty standard, IMO. Here is what I suggest. At the bottom of the propetry's WEB site, is a Contact Us icon. Click on it gives you direct access. Send them an e-mail and give them a good reason i.e. diabetic drugs. My guess is your chances will be 100 %.
May 28, 2018, 10:50 am
#20
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PHLGovFlyer is 100 % correct. It really varies property to property. The OP did not say which property??
I often put "Fridge" in my PLAT upgrade requests. Rarely is granted. All you need/want is a mini-bar fridge. That is pretty standard, IMO. Here is what I suggest. At the bottom of the propetry's WEB site, is a Contact Us icon. Click on it gives you direct access. Send them an e-mail and give them a good reason i.e. diabetic drugs. My guess is your chances will be 100 %.
I often put "Fridge" in my PLAT upgrade requests. Rarely is granted. All you need/want is a mini-bar fridge. That is pretty standard, IMO. Here is what I suggest. At the bottom of the propetry's WEB site, is a Contact Us icon. Click on it gives you direct access. Send them an e-mail and give them a good reason i.e. diabetic drugs. My guess is your chances will be 100 %.
Are you suggesting that someone lie about a medical condition?
May 28, 2018, 11:25 am
#21
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PHLGovFlyer is 100 % correct. It really varies property to property. The OP did not say which property??
I often put "Fridge" in my PLAT upgrade requests. Rarely is granted. All you need/want is a mini-bar fridge. That is pretty standard, IMO. Here is what I suggest. At the bottom of the propetry's WEB site, is a Contact Us icon. Click on it gives you direct access. Send them an e-mail and give them a good reason i.e. diabetic drugs. My guess is your chances will be 100 %.
I often put "Fridge" in my PLAT upgrade requests. Rarely is granted. All you need/want is a mini-bar fridge. That is pretty standard, IMO. Here is what I suggest. At the bottom of the propetry's WEB site, is a Contact Us icon. Click on it gives you direct access. Send them an e-mail and give them a good reason i.e. diabetic drugs. My guess is your chances will be 100 %.
May 28, 2018, 12:41 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Platinum, Former Amtrak Select, Former Hilton Gold
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Seems to be more common in the mid to low end properties. Every Aloft I've stayed in has had a mini fridge. Sheratons are 30% likely in my experience . Luxury Collection properties 0% if you don't count the mini bar.
May 28, 2018, 1:06 pm
#23
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Recently I have stayed at a couple properties where the minibar uses a vending machine like contraption that looks like the old automat, where you get charged when you remove an item, a new item rolls in and you cannot put anything else in the fridge.
May 28, 2018, 3:48 pm
#24
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
Keep in mind that even if hotels provide them, the refrigerators aren't usually high quality brands. The range of "normal" temperatures can vary from barely cold to below freezing. I'm personally wary of using them for anything that spoils. If I were using one for medication, I'd bring my own thermometer to ensure proper cooling.
May 28, 2018, 10:25 pm
#25
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 265
thanks again for everyone perspective. they opened my eyes to be less "entitled". going forward I will ask before hand, than make assumption.
May 30, 2018, 8:00 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: perth
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Posts: 1,500
Im from Australia and the first time staying in the US was completely surprised by the lack of kettle and refrigerators in many rooms I stayed in. Even the worst of the worst in Australia came with this as standard equipment and that was 30 years ago. Seems not much has changed! Totally bemused by the ice machine concept!
May 30, 2018, 8:28 am
#28
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PHLGovFlyer is 100 % correct. It really varies property to property. The OP did not say which property??
I often put "Fridge" in my PLAT upgrade requests. Rarely is granted. All you need/want is a mini-bar fridge. That is pretty standard, IMO. Here is what I suggest. At the bottom of the propetry's WEB site, is a Contact Us icon. Click on it gives you direct access. Send them an e-mail and give them a good reason i.e. diabetic drugs. My guess is your chances will be 100 %.
I often put "Fridge" in my PLAT upgrade requests. Rarely is granted. All you need/want is a mini-bar fridge. That is pretty standard, IMO. Here is what I suggest. At the bottom of the propetry's WEB site, is a Contact Us icon. Click on it gives you direct access. Send them an e-mail and give them a good reason i.e. diabetic drugs. My guess is your chances will be 100 %.
In any event, I would not presume that there is a fridge in your room unless you have checked and I would not presume that a mini-bar is useable as a fridge to store your stuff.
May 30, 2018, 9:40 am
#29
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I don't know that any property particularly cares whether you have drugs requiring refrigeration or have a fridge fetish. The ones which charge for the service, will charge. If you blindly send off an email asking for an "extra" don't be surprised when it comes with a significant charge.
In any event, I would not presume that there is a fridge in your room unless you have checked and I would not presume that a mini-bar is useable as a fridge to store your stuff.
In any event, I would not presume that there is a fridge in your room unless you have checked and I would not presume that a mini-bar is useable as a fridge to store your stuff.
I would hope that hotels would give preference on their limited refrigerators for people who need them to store medications. If there aren't enough for all requests, someone wanting to buy soft drinks at a local convenience store and chill them should get lower priority since most properties do have (free) ice makers down the hall.
May 30, 2018, 2:00 pm
#30
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I would hope that hotels would give preference on their limited refrigerators for people who need them to store medications. If there aren't enough for all requests, someone wanting to buy soft drinks at a local convenience store and chill them should get lower priority since most properties do have (free) ice makers down the hall.