The hotel mini-bar. One of those "amenities" that has fallen out of favor because hoteliers saw the opportunity to jack the price of nuts to $9 and a soda to $5, thinking the consumer wouldn't notice. Now, with electronic sensors built in to sense (and charge for) movement of product, most travelers avoid even opening the door for fear of being nicked.
The Meridien Hotel Vienna, is way past that foolishness, making the items in its mini-bars free (and just rolling it into the room charge).
However, according to HotelDesigns.co.uk editor Patrick Goff (as seen on WIWIH), "guests have become so terrified of the
appallingly high prices charged by hoteliers that they won't even open
the minbar for fear of being clipped."
Sad.
Maybe I'm a dinosaur, but a mini-bar is a consideration for me, especially on long trips. Sure, I'm charging it back to the client anyway (shhh...), but even when I'm out on my own dime, I'd rather pay $8 for a Heineken than call room service or go down to the bar.
Does that make me an extravagant lush?
Posted by: Scott | September 17, 2007 at 17:26
By the way, the best stocked mini-bar I've found is Caesar's in Vegas. And only $6 a beer!
Posted by: Scott | September 17, 2007 at 17:27