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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:
Suzi888 · 02/02/2022 20:00

@Footgoose

Or ask for the mini bar price list. I could manage that . Grin
Do it! Wine
theremustonlybeone · 02/02/2022 20:01

I would assume its complimentary. I have been to a few nice hotels and had complimentary drinks, usually half bottles of wine, mini cokes that type of thing that they replace daily.

Those you have to pay for will have a price list

CannelloniMacaroni · 02/02/2022 20:03

@BuanoKubiamVej

Of course it's not free!

The reason why there is no price list is because if you need to care about the price you can't afford it.

You need to travel more and stay at nice hotels. 🙃
Thisisconfusing · 02/02/2022 20:03

IME it is usually very clear if they are free. I have sometimes had a bottle of wine or similar left for me but it has been made very clear it is with the compliments of the hotel / manager / whatever . So assume it will be charged . There may be a price list in the “about the hotel” info . I did once do a holiday where it was free and we couldn’t keep up with the replenishing - took loads home with me 😜🥂. And it was full bottles .... years ago though . I have also stuffed food and drink in a mini bar . If I worked away sometimes I wanted something lighter for a meal than hotel food or went for a picnic with workmate . So my minibar was often crammed with M&S picnic food .

Paquerette · 02/02/2022 20:06

@glassesblob

Call reception and ask for a price list for the mini bar, as there doesn't seem to be one in your room. They will either provide one or tell you it's included! Avoids you asking outright if it's free.
Good advice.

We stayed in a very expensive suite in a 5 star London hotel. Couldn’t find a price list, and were also too embarrassed to ask. Figured fuck it in the scheme of things so drank a bottle of wine. Never got charged for it.

FridayiminlovewithRobertSmith · 02/02/2022 20:08

How posh? I’ve (v v v occasionally) stayed at posh hotels with complimentary champagne, wine and fancy snacks. But these were very ostentatiously posh places.

So if it’s blue nun and Pringles I bet they’ll charge you it 5x what it cost in a super market!

Pebble55 · 02/02/2022 20:10

"Yes...dh and I were charged for the entire contents of the chilled mini bar, about £85...because we nudged all of their wine over to cram our own bottles in that we'd brought from home 😂"

Oh classic. This happened to me and mate in an airport hotel when we emptied the mini-bar fridge and filled it up with half a case of beer. They charged us for the chocolate bars because they melted 😂

blyn72 · 02/02/2022 20:11

You will be charged.

Buy your own bottle and take to your room.

Avocadoandlemons · 02/02/2022 20:14

Tell us the hotel and one of us can call reception!

lborgia · 02/02/2022 20:16

I think OP has discovered it's all free, and is a bit busy.... Grin

lborgia · 02/02/2022 20:17

Either that, or DH is finally out of the bathroom and asked why the fuck she's still on bloody mumsnet...Wink

KarenTheGammonRemoaner · 02/02/2022 20:23

@Footgoose

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
You can plead all you like but they have your card details and the legal right to charge you for any theft, consumption, or damage without your consent.
phishy · 02/02/2022 20:27

Seriously, if you haven’t got the nous to ask if the mini bar is free or ask for the price list, then you don’t deserve it.

Being a wet lettuce is not cute.

ThePlumVan · 02/02/2022 20:33

This happened to me on a flight to SA -

Imagine the horror of assuming you need to pay so don’t touch anything with a barge pole, only to find out later they were complimentary and you could have stuffed your face on house white.

Still stings years later Sad

catmothertes1 · 02/02/2022 20:35

@glassesblob

Call reception and ask for a price list for the mini bar, as there doesn't seem to be one in your room. They will either provide one or tell you it's included! Avoids you asking outright if it's free.
That's sound like the best thing to do. That way you take control of the situation.
Scbchl · 02/02/2022 20:39

Iv been in quite alot of places where the mini bar is free. If you get an executive room at Auchrannie, there's a lounge filled with snacks and drinks to help yourself too.

Lifeisaminestrone · 02/02/2022 20:42

Does not sound free!!!
If complimentary there would be sign by it.

To be fair I’ve often used the mini bar when working and been a long day / jet lagged. Even if not expensing I have started to use them as I can’t be fussed walking around a city looking for a can of Diet Coke - takes the fun out of travelling a bit! I just rationalise it is the same price as the bar downstairs with the added benefit I can read my book / watch tv in peace!

Lifeisaminestrone · 02/02/2022 20:44

Gosh, I’m now reminiscing of mini bars!
I should just book a hotel so I can have a rummage of some mini spirits and packet of random snacks!

Theblacksheepandme · 02/02/2022 20:46

I think you are acting completely immature if you can't ring reception to ask a simple question. Also if you think you have to smuggle things into your room. What do you think will happen if you bring a bottle of wine to your room, sirens will go off and the hotel police will come to arrest you?

catfunk · 02/02/2022 20:46

It you get a suite I'd assume the mini bar is free.
I'd be really fucked off if there's no price list/ no indication of charges then they charge you.

WhatsitWiggle · 02/02/2022 20:46

Free mini bars are available at Hard Rock London and Clermont hotels in London. Think I've seen them at upgraded rooms at Radisson Blu Edwardian hotels too.

It is a thing!

Bouledeneige · 02/02/2022 20:48

I've never seen a free mini bar in a hotel. Beware.

MostNamesAreTaken · 02/02/2022 20:52

Placemarking for the reveal...

CurrantAffair · 02/02/2022 20:54

Nope deffo not free, I made the misfortune of taking a few cokes and a bottle of water from one a fridge in a very posh hotel in Kensington and was charged about £30 when I checked out 🙈

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 02/02/2022 20:55

Well.....????