MiniBar Capers

Are you one of those naughty holiday makers that use up the contents of your hotel mini bar over night and then pop out to the nearest supermarket to replenish the minibar before ‘housekeeping’ turns up to make up your room? Well you are NOT alone. Aquabar reports this week on how travelers worldwide have cottoned on to “beating the system” in what is a major hotel profit center. A survey has revealed that it is becoming more and more common for hotel guests to play the old ‘Beat the Mark-up’ game. Incidentally some hotels can charge as much as 400% to 600% on in-room items such as bottled water, chocolate bars, crisps and nuts etc. Some have installed sensors in an effort to curb this trend, but some smarty pants guests just argue that they changed their mind and returned the item. Perhaps the people responsible for actually purchasing the minibar items should use a little more imagination and purchase less standardised brands. Then again, I guess your in-room ‘Gourmet’ crisps would probably end up costing as much as last nights main course.