Minibars in Hotel Rooms: What You Need to Know
Besides the welcome drink provided to guests upon arrival, frequent hotel visitors are familiar with the minibar in their rooms. Minibars typically offer a variety of refreshments to satisfy late-night hunger or thirst.
Most minibars include chilled bottled water in the refrigerator. Larger or more upscale hotels often provide a wider selection of beverages, such as soft drinks, coffee, alcoholic drinks, and snacks.
Understanding Minibar Charges
Before checking in, it’s important to read the booking details or ask the staff about what items in the minibar are complimentary and which will be charged. There are usually price tags or lists in the room indicating the cost of each item.
Complimentary Drinking Water
Typically, hotels provide two complimentary bottles of water per day per room. Sometimes, free water is placed outside the fridge, while the bottled water inside the fridge is considered part of the minibar and will be charged if consumed. To prevent confusion, some hotels hang paper tags on the complimentary bottles indicating they are free.
Minibar Charges
Other than the complimentary water, items in the minibar usually come at an extra cost. High-end hotels might offer a fully complimentary minibar, but it’s more common nowadays for hotels to include minibar charges in the room rate, informing guests at the time of booking.