Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this a free mini bar. Answers quick. I’m feeling thirsty

227 replies

Footgoose · 02/02/2022 17:28

Not well travelled but we have paid full price for a suit in a posh hotel in UK . There are single bottles of alcohol and soft drinks in the mini fridge. One of each ie one white wine one red wine one water one coke one beer and a packet of pretzels . No price list anywhere . I know I could ring reception but I’m a bit cringe about that. So Mumsnet…. Are these freebies? If not, can we plead ignorance if they charge us? If I believe what I’ve heard , it’s about a hundred pounds worth of goods and I shouldn’t even nudge them for fear of being debited a small fortune . Grin

OP posts:
AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 02/02/2022 18:17

@Footgoose

Ah, ok . I’ll stick to the wine box we smuggled in . Absolutely no information either way if they are complimentary or not. But I liked *@user1471517900* answer as it’s not my card details they have on holdGrin
You know you don't need to smuggle your own food and drink into a hotel Grin
Regularsizedrudy · 02/02/2022 18:21

Once stayed in a VERY posh hotel. Ate the tiny pot of sweets (about 5) that were on top of (not inside!) the minibar. It cost me 7 euro!

velvet24 · 02/02/2022 18:21

Probably free if no price list !

britnay · 02/02/2022 18:23

Probably expensive if no price list

doadeer · 02/02/2022 18:24

I've stayed hotels where you have a small selection of drinks for free.

I would just ask... Honestly they will get asked all the time they won't even bat an eyelid.

TicTacHoh · 02/02/2022 18:24

Not usually free, sorry. Ordering from the bar will be better value

doadeer · 02/02/2022 18:24

Ha! Amazing example how everyone thinks differently Grin

Is this a free mini bar. Answers quick. I’m feeling thirsty
RichardMarxisinnocent · 02/02/2022 18:27

@TonTonMacoute

AFAIK there's no such thing as a free hotel minibar.

I always take my own wine.

I've stayed in a hotel which had free gin and sherry in the room, in fancy decanters. There was enough for a decent measure of each for 2 people.
Squirrelblanket · 02/02/2022 18:28

We've stayed in a suite in a Meliá hotel and all the mini bar contents were included with the room.

BarbaraWoodlouse · 02/02/2022 18:29

I have had complimentary drinks and snacks at several hotels in the past. In most cases it has been mentioned on check in (probably because they got so many sheepish enquiries otherwise 😁) but definitely call down and ask. Free wine is always worth a moment of cringe!

ENoeuf · 02/02/2022 18:35

Ive been looking at booking suites recently in London and mini bar is complimentary. Check the website for the room.

ENoeuf · 02/02/2022 18:35

^^often complimentary that should say for the suites and op is in a suite

DobbyTheHouseElk · 02/02/2022 18:35

In the fridge you’ll pay.

Out of the fridge, usually complimentary-but have a sign saying welcome to snazzy hotel ltd.

MadameMinimes · 02/02/2022 18:35

I’ve stayed in places where there was complimentary stuff in the minibar or where the prices were reasonable and in line with the nearest convenience store. There’s always been either a price list or something to say it’s complimentary somewhere in the room though. Is there definitely no welcome folder with info hidden in a drawer? Or a QR code to scan?
I’d assume that no price list=expensive but I’d definitely do what has been suggested and call reception and ask for the price list. If they say it’s free then you don’t miss out on free wine, which always tastes better than wine you’ve paid for. Grin

DramaAlpaca · 02/02/2022 18:35

DH and I got caught by a mini bar once. We were young and naive and as there was no price list we assumed it was free... so down went a nice bottle of champagne and a fair bit more. Lovely. Until checkout when we got a nasty surprise when we got the bill. I can't remember how much it was, but it was quite a shock. Never again.

Weareallvirgins · 02/02/2022 18:36

A bit cringe? Are you a grown up or a teenager???

CottonSock · 02/02/2022 18:37

I've been to a hotel with a free mini bar so definitely ask. More recently I've had a mini bottle of red or prosecco in small independent places. Not expensive places either.

NellePorter · 02/02/2022 18:39

Last hotel room I stayed in had a free mini bar, so it's worth asking. It did have a "with compliments" card though. I like the pp's idea of ringing down for the price list.

FirstTimeSecondTime · 02/02/2022 18:39

@Footgoose let us know what they say when you ask

Againstmachine · 02/02/2022 18:40

Just ask or don't but no on here will know.

And a bit cringe are you 12

Waxonwaxoff0 · 02/02/2022 18:40

They will not be free. I stay in hotels a lot and there's never been a free mini bar.

2018SoFarSoGreat · 02/02/2022 18:43

some posters are being so snippy to OP, who has said she is not well traveled. Not really necessary or helpful.

OP, do just call down and tell them that you can't find the pricelist for the mini bar.

As to 'smuggling' wine in, it is perfectly okay to bring whatever you wish to hotels. There is no need to hide it, nor feel like a smuggler. They only provide the over priced mini bar items for those who either need more than they brought, or were silly (and thirsty) enough not to bring their own.

Have a lovely time.

CorrBlimeyGG · 02/02/2022 18:45

Andaz hotels have free mini bars, as do some European chains. If in doubt, check the website.

Againstmachine · 02/02/2022 18:47

some posters are being so snippy to OP, who has said she is not well traveled. Not really necessary or helpful.

She's asked in AIBU you are going to get comments and hasn't even done the simple thing of asking so it's acceptable.

YetAnotherChanger · 02/02/2022 18:47

Depends on the chain really, Hotel Indigo it’s free.