Faremax: Travel Forums

When you're staying in a room with a mini-bar, do you take advantage of it? I'd try to save a few dollars by buying what I wanted for the room elsewhere, but sometimes I've used them for the convenience.

I'm not just referring to drinks. I mean for snacks as well.

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http://this-twisted-history.blogspot.com/

If possible I always buy snacks and drinks outside of the hotel.  But I use them if no alternatives are possible.

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"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." - Albert Einstein
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I'll prefer to be practical person. I'll buy food and drinks outside the Hotel because it's cheaper. At least I can save my bucks.

I always bring my own food/drink in.  One time I was traveling on business and was staying in a city where my cousin lives.  She came up to my room while I was getting ready before we went out for dinner together.  When I checked out, there was a charge for $3.50 for a candy bar taken from the mini-bar.  I began to argue the charge when I remembered that my cousin is a choco-holic!!!!   I just grinned and thought to myself "That's family for ya"

You let me remembered of my little sister. Before we checked out she put all chocolate bars and candies in her bag without our knowledge. I wondered there was an additional $30 in our bill. My sister thought that all those foods were free. So I took the foods in the bag of my sister andI surrendered it to the counter.

When we are in club, we use to bring lots of cans of beer from outside of the club because they charge more than 100% of the origional price. But never did that in hotel.

they charge more than 100% of the original price

In US you are not allowed to do that and they charge about 500% (~$7 per bottle of beer in NYC clubs) markup. Sorry for thread hijack

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"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." - Albert Einstein
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If we're staying in a hotel for a week, we wait and see the prices in the local shops before buying souvenirs in the lobby gift shop to take home.

And speaking of bringing beer into clubs, I knew a sound man who travelled on the road. He sat on a trunk that was full of beer as he mixed the band.

The only problem was that he liked a fairly obscure brand that wasn't necessarily available in all the bars he worked in.

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http://this-twisted-history.blogspot.com/

shinningstar:

You let me remembered of my little sister. Before we checked out she put all chocolate bars and candies in her bag without our knowledge. I wondered there was an additional $30 in our bill. My sister thought that all those foods were free. So I took the foods in the bag of my sister andI surrendered it to the counter.

Hahahaha.... thanks for the chuckle, that's a great story, SS!

I have never bought one of those snacks or drinks that the hotel will leave in the room. I just can't get myself to pay what they charge.

I worked 5 years ago in the Hotel. I was assigned to check all status of the Hotel rooms. The Management intentionally put a fridge in a room full of stocks such as chocolates, beers, juice and more. It really tempted all guest to get and ate all those stuffs without their knowledge foods have additional charges.

I have never really been to a hotel that had a mini bar. But I thought that if it was in your room, you were able to take advantage of it. Are you charged for utilizing the mini bar.

A rare place might have the mini bar as inclusive on your bill, but yes in general you are charged for every item you take.

I personally never use the mini bar. It is too cost inefficient, and I am too tight.

If you're wise and smart guest. Prefer to enjoy yourself buying outside the hotel. There are many walking distance bars, restaurants and grocery stores outside the hotel. All items are cheaper in there compared the prices in hotels. 

Back when I was an employee and sent to places by work I would use the minibar, but now it's my own money I don't.

I've never seen a mini bar with snacks though, only drinks.

These days I bring drinks back to the room, or eat out - it's cheaper, and lets you enjoy the area you're staying in a lot more.