refrigerator in hotel - Page 3

cheriere · ‎12-01-2023

@Carmie wrote:
I have seen these type of fridges for at least 20 years or more. They are stocked with drinks....water, soft drinks,beer and hard liquor and sometimes cold treats.

In the top of the unit there is usually a place card with the prices of the items in the fridge. It also explains that you cannot use the fridge to hold your own items.

The items are monitored by weight. As soon as you pick up an item....you will be charged for it.

This is different than the fridge, microwave and coffee maker supplied for your use.

I have seen these fridges in the US, Canada, Asia and Europe.

I've seen these types of fridges too. However, you can take out stuff to see what's in there without being charged for it if it's put back.

twinny70 · ‎07-03-2012

@Carmie wrote:
I have seen these type of fridges for at least 20 years or more. They are stocked with drinks....water, soft drinks,beer and hard liquor and sometimes cold treats.

In the top of the unit there is usually a place card with the prices of the items in the fridge. It also explains that you cannot use the fridge to hold your own items.

The items are monitored by weight. As soon as you pick up an item....you will be charged for it.

This is different than the fridge, microwave and coffee maker supplied for your use.

I have seen these fridges in the US, Canada, Asia and Europe.

carmie, I forgot about a fridge like you described. A long time ago, my dh & I went on a vacation that had a fridge like that. We didn't touch anything in it. It did have a card saying how much everything was🤔🤔🤔. I can't remember where we were, but it was not in the USA.

Glenda

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

Or maybe the charge was just one hotel of that brand and other franchisees follow a different policy? I've stayed at several different chains and never saw a charge for using anything in the room that I hadn't expected to pay for.

Something ele to ask

granddi · ‎03-16-2010

Most major Las Vegas Hotels have this arrangement with in room frig. If any item is moved from its sensor you will be charged for that item. The ones that I have seen you could not empty the frig and then replace the items. You are told this at check in. There is a restock person that comes to the room each day just like housekeeping.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

I'd tell them since I won't be using the fridge, please remove it and get it out of the space I'm renting.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

PA Mom-mom · ‎05-27-2015

@Franklinbell I've never encountered the situation you describe. The hotels we stay at have a small fridge that's empty and for our use for free. About 25 years ago, we stayed at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas for my neice's wedding. They had a stocked fridge and a loaded rack of snacks above it. We paid for anything we consumed. There was a key for the fridge, because there was alcohol involved.

Marp · ‎03-09-2010

@cheriere wrote:
When traveling by car, we always have a cooler with us. I'd have just used it.

I can't imagine how on earth they'd know if you even opened it up? They couldn't possibly have known whether or not you put your medicine inside either.

@cheriere, Automated minibars with sensors and snack trays with built-in electronic scales are now common practice at hotels, including Hilton, InterContinental, DoubleTree and Sheraton.

What is good for the goose today will also be good for the gander tomorrow.

Rockycoast · ‎03-02-2016

We travel frequently and have never encountered what you described. Where on earth did you stay that has such a strange policy?

sugar plum · ‎07-06-2016

These stocked refrigerators are called Mini Bars. I've seen them in many hotels throughout the US and abroad. I never used them though, as the treats are usually expensive.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@cheriere Every stocked fridge/ mini bar I have ever encountered has a sign on it that says if you remove it, you will be charged for it.

I had a friend who took out a can of Coke that was cold and replaced it with another can of Coke that was warm while we were in LasVegas. She was charged for it.

The front desk was not helpful returning her money. Finally, a manager removed the charge after a lot of back and forth.

I have never even been tempted to even open the fridge. Most of them are see through, so there is no need to touch anything unless you want it.

Here is part of an article I found about this practice.