How guests avoid paying for minibars at hotels – travel expert says scores of customers have their bills scrapped
A hospitality expert has revealed that huge numbers of people don't pay for their mini bar drinks if they deny consuming them when checking out
SNEAKING a late night drink from the minibar is a tough temptation to avoid when staying in a hotel.
Unless you're made of money, most guests try to steer clear as the cost of a drink or snack is often several times the standard price.
But some of those who indulge regularly try to wriggle out of the bill - and it turns out the hotel staff are often happy to assist.
A hospitality expert has revealed that huge numbers of people don't pay for their minibar drinks if they deny consuming them when checking out.
Jacob Tomsky is author of Heads In Beds, a Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles and So-Called Hospitality.
He told : “Minibar charges are, without question, the most disputed charges on any bill. That is because the process for applying those charges is horribly inexact."
He added “Keystroke errors, delays in restocking, double stocking, and hundreds of other missteps make minibar charges the most voided item."
According to Jacob, guests can often get out of the charges entirely if they dispute them.
He said: “Even before guests can manage to get through half of the ‘I never had those items’ sentence, I have already removed the charges."
Even if you are happy to steal from hotels, you might want to steer clear of the minibar drinks though.
One guest urinated in all of the minibar bottles and screwed the tops back on.
As Sun Online previously reported, bored guests often tamper with the drinks in the fridge during their stay.
One hotel worker on Reddit revealed that he often discovered bottles full of urine.
The user called MistahZig said: “We had guests open the minibar fridge, drink the beer, p*** in the empty bottle, screw the cap back on and go on their merry way.
“The next client, who was an old gentleman with his daughter, took a swill of p*** that day.”
If you are a particular fan of minibars though, it's well worth paying a visit to Minimix in central London.
The steampunk bar seating 14 people is found opposite King’s Cross St Pancras and the British Library.
The bar inside the boutique Hotel Megaro's lobby is self-service, leading to its claim to be the world's largest minibar.
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Guests can pour themselves their own Negroni cocktails or beer, and there is a conveyor belt dispersing free popcorn.
While you don't have to be a guest to drink at the bar, it's worth checking the rooms out.
A night's stay, room only, .