"Free" Mini Bar?
 

I was just reading through an old trip report of mine and came across a curious check in we had a few years ago. In the midst of a 10 night journey through Germany, I arrived with my wife and soon to be 17 yo son at a Marriott near Munich airport. When we arrived at the check in desk we were told that the room I had reserved would only accommodate 2 and we needed to take a bigger room. I truly believed I had booked for 3, but after retrieving my reservation from the car I realized I had only booked for two. I was ready to be informed that the rate would be double/triple what I had originally booked but the all in rate went from 149 Euro to 198 Euro. The new rate also included breakfast for two and we were told in a road weary state with a slight language barrier that the mini bar was also free.

We stayed away from the mini bar that night, but prior to and after breakfast the next am my wife and I both confirmed that the mini bar was in fact included in the new rate. As we were only staying one night we did take a couple of soda's and a few bags of snacks. Never saw any additional charges on the CC.

I have yet to come across any hotel rate that even mentions the mini bar being included. Any explanations?

I experienced that once at the Radisson Blu ZRH. Can't recall if it included alcoholic drinks or not but soft drinks and snacks were included.

Andaz mini-bar is, I think, always free, except for alcohol. Restock daily. I've had the same in other non-chain hotels.

If I ever ran into a free mini-bar it would be empty the next day. ;)

IIRC there have been some FHR rates where the special amenity is free minibar, including alcohol. The example I remember was the PH Washington.

I definitely had some reservations about taking anything out of it after our reservation snafu, and the language barrier, but after confirming once the night of check in and twice the next day we decided we had to take something to account for the bump in the room rate. I should have taken a picture of it, but I do remember a mix of soft drinks, beer, chips and candies.

Another bonus in the bump was that the room was huge with a king bed and also had terry robes. After some mid range accommodations the previous 4-5 nights it was a great break.

Just an odd and unexpected offer, mid trip while a bit road weary.

I have upcoming stay at -- Schloss Fuschl, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Fuschlsee-Salzburg and it states -- Mini Bar Included In Rate. The wife and I cannot wait--point stay

I have seen this in European hotels but the mini-bar typically doesn't contain any liquor - maybe one beer if you're lucky.

My SPG Gold upgrade at the Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral last week was to a high floor with free mini bar. No booze stocked but some snacks and a bottle of sparkling water were nice to have.

"Free" Mini Bar?
 

Some hotels in Frankfurt have mini bars and the beer- usually all they have- is free-

"Free" Mini Bar?
 

Search Royal Ambassador and you will see some epic mini-bar tabs that were comped. Largest that I ever personally ran was $1200.

I ran into that situation with a Ritz Carlton. Not sure why they did it for you, maybe it is a way to justify the rate.

In 2012, my room rate for this hotel was purchased on Expedia and included the mini-bar.

The mini-bar contained two bottles of water, one bottle of mineral water, three beers, four sodas, one orange juice, and a bag of chips.

"Free" Mini Bar?
 

IHG Ambassador used to have free minibar privileges. ... not sure if it is still the case

They really didn't have to be very flexible with me considering that it was my booking error. Sometimes I find myself never changing whatever the default for number of guests are as I am usually just looking to see what rates a hotel might have when I'm traveling.

The bill I received when checking out had the room charges described as "Arrangement". We did enjoy the breakfast buffet and while they only gave us passes for two, the waitress didn't charge my wife for her simple plate of fruit and cheese.

Happened to me at a "hip", non-chain hotel in Stockholm a couple of years back.

I agree, it's not the norm. That's the one and only time I've experienced that.

FWIW, it worked out great. Due to the jet lag, I woke up starving in the middle of the night. I could tide myself over without having to consume $10 candy bars.

I didn't abuse the free minibar - just consumed a reasonable amount. Act like you've been there before and all that.

I've had this at one of the Doubletrees in London. I think I cleared it out just about every night. No shame.

Also had it at some boutique hotel in Barcelona. Great little touch.

"Free" Mini Bar?
 

Grand Amranth in Amsterdam had free mini bar access (booze, soft drinks, etc) included in rate if booked direct.

In Germany this is very common. Usually it is specified, e.g. soft drinks and 2 beers a day.

"Free" Mini Bar?
 

Hilton London Bankside is free except for booze. Selection of snacks & soft drinks is quite good. Quite a new hotel.

"Free" Mini Bar?
 

NH was doing this for a few years but they seem to have changed strategies. They had a weekend rate that was a good rate for Friday through Sunday and included late checkout on Sunday and free minibar. The minibar was not restocked, you were basically buying a fixed amount of stuff along with the room for the weekend. It did have a couple cans of cheap beer, some soft drinks, water, and some candy including a toblerone and gummi bears.

The funny thing was that I was with several others who had booked separately. We were gathering in the lobby to play cards and I bought down a bunch of snacks. They all thought I was spendthrift and couldn't believe me when I explained. They had to pull up their reservation and were shocked to find they had the same deal and didn't know it.

Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley
 

The first time I saw this was at Auberge du Soleil in the Napa valley. Although, at $1000 per night, I liked to think of this as 'íncluded' rather than 'free''
. Most of the items in there were high quality local goods too, not national brand candy bars.

I've been at more expensive hotels that didn't give free mini-bars, so the cost of the room isn't always a signal.

Only time I got free Mini bar privileges were at all inclusive resorts. Otherwise it was the usual $20 for alcohol, $10 for candy, and $5 to even look at it.

Only for Royals now... not sure it was ever "normal" Ambassador?

^ As my beer-filled belly from this W/E can attest to ;)

As noted, it's fairly common in Germany, particularly for better room categories in chain hotels, and for upscale properties in general. Usually it's beer/water/juices, but often includes some miniatures as well. It's obviously not free, just bundled into your room rate.

Next month I'll be (performing) on a cruise ship catering primarily to German-speaking passengers. I was surprised to learn that minibar items are free onboard.

Seth

It was and still is a Royal Ambassador benefit. It was never an Ambassador benefit.

Which explains why my business associates hang out in my upgraded suite when we stay at IC.

The Renaissance in Vienna had 'Club Rooms' rates which include the minibar. But very unimpressive selection for paying about 25€ more.

And on the other hand the minibar in all other rooms wasn't even serviced and you needed to grab you beer? Wine of soft drinks from the front desk. (Which gets more and more common and drives me crazy!)

About 50% of hotels in Bangkok have rooms with a "free" minibar.

I agree that it depends on the property but isn't a rare thing.

Recently I was at the Hansar in Bangkok that touts this as a benefit. The only problem was that they didn't do a very good job of replenishing it.

Also, the ICON hotel in Hong Kong offers this as one their signature benefits. But as noted you really are just paying for it in the room rate rather than being charged $12 for a can of Coke.

At the Marriott at Monaco, we were told that they didn't have a lounge but, because I was a Plat, the minibar was free. We made good use of it. :)

At the Opera Pavillon in Paris, the minibar was also included and refilled daily. No booze, though.

Both stays were award stays.

In October I stayed at both Marrols in Bratislava and Le Meridien in Vienna, both had free mini bars, but were limited to beers, soft drinks and snacks.

All inclusive hotels in resort destinations (Caribbean etc.) often include mini bars with a full range of beers, wine, spirits, snacks etc. I rather like mixing a G&T as I get ready for the evening :)

I wasn't aware until reading this thread that this was a German/Frankfurt thing, but I have had free minibar when I have used (um, burned) SWUs at Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel ... as I recall, it included waters, juices, a couple of beers, chocolate, and pringles. And probably some gummies.

Next month I will be staying at De Sarann Villas in Siem Reap Cambodia and it has a free mini bar

Ive asked them to remove the booze as we don't drink it (not offended by it but would prefer more bottles of water) and they emailed saying they will add more water, juice and sodas for us.

Next time we stay in the same hotel, can we trade minibar contents please? ;)

I've also had it a couple times in Germany - usually 2 local beers per day and no hard liquor. Plus random food/non-alcoholic drinks...

No complaint...the beers have always been pretty good. ^

The Park Hyatt Dubai has a "free" minibar if you are in the Park Suite. Doesn't matter if you upgrade using a Diamond Suite Upgrade. They will restock it once a day. If I recall correctly there were 8-10 mini bottles of alcohol, two beers, your standard sodas, mixers, and then outside of the fridge a large assortment of nuts/candy/dried fruit.... etc...

Was fantastic!

How recently was that? I was there earlier this month and it was $100 F&B, but I like the idea especially on trips without convenience stores nearby.

Shangri la in Penang gave a free mini bar last summer which was refilled every day! Drinks and all!

Sky lofts at MGM grand have free minibar and a coffee machine, but the nightly rate is quite substantial.