Is it possible to ask for a hotel room without minibar/extra services?
Well, I think the title says it all: in hotels which offer minibar/other extra services for a fee, is it possible to have a room, where there is no risk of accidentally using/eating something for which you have to pay for? (Or even worse: risk that the hotel mistakenly thinks you've used such services and charges you for them?) I.e. ask them to remove all the extras in advance?
On one hand, I wouldn't be too surprised if the answer were "of course not, since this is a standard service, and it would be complicated to make such exceptions (besides that, it brings extra revenue for the hotel, so they don't even have the incentive to do that)".
On the other hand, there are probably many people like me, who don't want to consume anything, and would therefore prefer to avoid accidentally being charged. So I think this is a reasonable request.
Also, I did some googling, and didn't find anything about this. What I found, however, is that it is supposedly quite easy to trick the system:
You never have to pay for using the minibar. Minibar charges are, without question, the most disputed charges on any bill. Why? Because it's done by people. The traditional minibar, before they invented the sensored variety, is checked (maybe) once a day by a slow-moving gentleman or lady pushing a cartful of snacks. Keystroke errors, delays in restocking, double stocking, and hundreds of other missteps make minibar charges the most voided item. Even before guests can manage to get through half of the "I never had these items" sentence, I have already removed the charges.
So if this is true, I'd expect it even generates a loss. Which would be a further incentive just to offer rooms without minibar/extra services (btw., I read in the same source, that there is a similar trick for extra services too). (But as I said, my intention is not to scam the hotel and get free stuff, it is only to avoid any dispute/misunderstanding -- and of course the added benefit would be having an empty fridge, which I can fill up with the cheap stuff I buy at the local supermarket :D)
Backstory: On a recent trip, at checkout I was charged some items from the minibar which I did not consume. I found the above sentence (Even before guests can manage to get through half of the "I never had these items" sentence, I have already removed the charges.) to be 100% correct. However, next time I'm travelling, I would prefer just not having this extra stuff to begin with.
Also, I don't want to make this question specific to any country, I'm interested to the answers event if they vary by location.
Best Answer
I always used the mini bar refrigerator in order to keep my own beers and perishable items. Even in hotels where removing a can or bottle from its notch is automatically billed.
I always asked at the reception, always got a positive answer while making sure they arrange that with the service staff at the floor.
Eventually they tell you not to remove their perishable items, as in some cases you might find packed sandwiches or other snacks.
The first time that I got billed automatically, it tooks seconds to clarify the situation, as in the other answer.
You can pre announce that you won't use the services, but somehow they will have to check it out, so the various mistakes mentioned by others might be less probable but still possible.
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Can you ask a hotel to remove the minibar?
yes, i've heard of people doing it, and it's probably pretty common because i've seen notices before in some hotels stating that there is a charge for removing items from the honor bar. I've asked housekeeping to remove the stuff from the honor bar and they did.Can you ask for a mini fridge at a hotel?
When you book the room, ask for a mini fridge (or add it to the notes if you book online). Chances are good they will have it in the room for you when you arrive. If you get to your room and there is no fridge there, call the front desk and kindly request one.How do hotels know if you use the mini bar?
"A small number of our hotels have units that do use motion-sensor technology, and should include information on the menu card or unit stating the way in which the sensors work," the spokeswoman said in an email. In automated minibars generally, each snack spot has a sensor.MINIBAR: Minibar Supplies, Minibar types, History, Minibar Frauds, Boosting minibar sale
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