In Jakarta I checked into a hotel once and found a minibar containing beer, clearly labelled as free. So I excitedly cracked open a cold one and took a big chug only to find the most wrenched tasting brew I ever encountered in my life. Upon closer examination of the label, I discovered it was Bintang non-alcoholic beer. I presume in keeping with Islamic traditions. In any case my initial excitement in encountering free beer, quickly turned to horror. It was really awful.

Ngga jadi mabuk deh :p

Renaissance Bangkok has had a "Double-points, free minibar (restocked daily)" rate going for a couple years now.

It. Is. Amazing.

But dont tell anyone. ;)

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Was there a few days ago.
The free minibar (this was a business class room) included bags of nuts, candy bars, water, coke, orange juice.
The alcohol was not included.

After lifting up a small bottle (which ended up being alcohol) to see what it was, I noticed a small sign saying that by removing any bottles the minibar would electronically charge you for that item, so on checkout I mentioned to the staffperson (so that I would not get charged) that I had momentarily picked up, then returned to its place, one bottle.

I've had the same free minibar at hotels near the messe in Frankfurt. Nice, but nothing elaborate, and usually just two of things. Nevertheless, appreciated the orange juice in the am and beer in the evening. They also included some fruit.

Not the same but relevant, I was upgraded to the executive level at the Baltimore Embassy Suites one time. They had an old school snack/drink machine that you got to use for free with your room key. You just swiped it and picked what you wanted and it was unlimited. Couldn't help but think I was surprised people don't take advantage of this perk more often.

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minibars would be a lot less of a maximum cost to hotel compared to many club lounges

anything one has paid for in a hotel, there have been hotels/properties that have offered it as part of rate/package/benefit at no additional cost

and yes, if one includes casino properties, there are literally no exceptions

I had a free mini bar as part of my Club Floor paid upgrade at the Intercontinental Bucharest. Of course on checkout they tried to charge me and claimed they "forgot" it was supposed to be free. Right :rolleyes:

wrong thread glitch again

I'm only a lowly gold Ambassador and thus had to pay $7 for a pack of potato chips and a $10 bottle of water the other day! :(

I've had free mini-bar at the Holiday Inn Resort in Phuket, which included beer.

I've seen comp minibars in Asia non-chain hotels. Often times when they have it they would have it for the executive level (or equivalent) rooms and suites. I don't find the desire to eat or drink anything from the minibar but it is convenient for when you want a late night snack or drink but are too lazy to go out of the hotel.

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I've used the cold sparkling water. In addition to it being free, it's much better than waiting for room service and needing to be dressed when they arrive.

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Had 3 free mini bars in the Marina Mandarin Singapore a few years ago.

Booked a 2 bed suite which was basically just 3 adjoining rooms, each with its own mini bar which were included in the rate.

Many Mercure (Accorhotels) hotels have a free minibar in their Premier rooms. Mostly softdrinks/sparkling water and sometimes a beer.
Just checked out from the Pullman CDG which also had a free mini bar.

At the HK IC you even have to pay to replenish coffee supplies. No way you'd get a free mini bar here!

Apparently things like these only happen in German-speaking countries :D I was in Austria beginning of May and the mini bar there was being refilled on a daily basis - and I didn't have to pay any extra fees! I think it was because I booked something like a 'package' (here is where I made my booking, the hotel I stayed in was called Aqua Dome), which apparently included getting free mini bar refills, but I wasn't expecting that, so I was pretty suprised when I arrived.
Hotels should do that way more often, it really lifts your mood!

In the UK I used to judge bed and breakfasts almost entirely on what freebies they gave you on the coffee tray (home made shortbread was a great touch one stay, others offered fudge, cake, but best of all was the one that offered gin and tonic!)

I have stayed on Executive Floors where the lounge was always open with a self serve bar of top shelf alcohol, self pour Beers on Tap, Wines and more. They had warm food always out with a large area of snacks. That was better than any free mini bar.

When I did have a free minibar it included alcohol( I forget where) but it was nice not having to purchase alcohol at a liquor store.

Quote me if I am wrong but hotels in Thailand include the minibar as part of the rate.

Like everywhere else, some hotels do. Not all. But it seems to be a trend as it has that "oh cool" factor at minimal cost to the hotel.

We stayed at the Park Hyatt Dubai in a Suite and had free access to the minibar. It was a fantastic amenity to have access to and was refilled 2x per day. So, in practice, you can have up to 18 mini bottles, 8 beers and 4 bottles of wine per day to use, I'd say that's more than enough even if you're traveling with a group ;)

Here's an excerpt from our review:

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Park Hyatt Dubai Review


–> MINIBAR

Possibly the best part of upgrading to a suite at the Park Hyatt Dubai is the free minibar access, especially if you’re traveling with a few people and plan to have a few drinks when on vacation.

The minibar was restocked 2x daily and included the following:

• 9- assorted mini bottles (Johnny Walker Black Label, Jack Daniels, Ciroc Vodka, Beefeater Gin, Bacardi Rum)
• 2- 375ml of wine (1 red, 1 white)
• 4- beers (Corona and Stella)
• Plenty of sodas, tonic and fruit juices

All of this basically ensures that you won’t have to buy a single drink here/in Dubai on your stay.

Did we mention there are chips, candy bars, cookies, and a few other snacks?!


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Full photo gallery and review with proper formatting can be view here: Weekend Blitz - Park Hyatt Dubai Review