Mini Bar ????

[bkfree]

We will be staying for the first time at Portofino Bay Hotel in Sept.
Do I understand that each room has a stock minibar that includes snacks.
We have two kiddos that I am sure will find it hard to resist those high priced treats, even with a room full of what we bring.
Is it possible to request the mini bar be emptied or made inaccessible.
We have only ever staying onsite at Disney resorts and they do not have stocked mini bars, just empty mini fridges for us to use.

How have others with kiddos handled this?

 

[rpbert1]

The mini bar and treats is locked, just tell them you do not want the key.

 

[francie57]

We stayed at the HRH in Aug. and had them empty one of the minibars that didn't lock right. You could ask for them to empty it. We will when we return in Aug. since on two past trips we have been charged for items missing from the locked minibar. We got them taken off our cc but since it has happened twice we now ask that it be emptied.

 

[JessicaR]

Don't accept the key at check-in.

 

[francie57]

Last year the keys were in the mini-bars and not given at check-in. Beside, one of the times we were charged for items we refused the key at check-in and they still said we used it. We just find it easier to have it emptied and they can't say we used anything. Even though the times they charged us were wrong, think about how many people may be paying these charges by not checking their bills. I know a lot of people that say they never check their monthly statements, they just pay the bill (dumb idea). I keep all receipts and check everything.

 

[Bluer101]

Last year the keys were in the mini-bars and not given at check-in. Beside, one of the times we were charged for items we refused the key at check-in and they still said we used it. We just find it easier to have it emptied and they can't say we used anything. Even though the times they charged us were wrong, think about how many people may be paying these charges by not checking their bills. I know a lot of people that say they never check their monthly statements, they just pay the bill (dumb idea). I keep all receipts and check everything.

I always refuse the key at checkin plus we always pay cash at checkin so there is no way to bill us later. One time I got the final invoice under the door on the last night and it had mini bar charges on it. I went right down to the front desk and told them that's impossible since I refused the key and room charging. They removed it and gave me another final invoice all paid like at checkin. I would never pay for anything I did not use or eat!

 

[bkfree]

Do we ask for it to be emptied when you check in or before you arrive?

Is this something I need to relay to our TA,who is handling it all for us?

 

[rpbert1]

If you want the fridge emptied to use, they charge $25 anight for the fridge. Just refuse the key, if it has the key in it when you check in, get them to come and lock it and take the key with them. In all our stays ,the fridge has never had the key in it, it has always been offered to us at checkin.

 

[JessicaR]

If you want the fridge emptied to use, they charge $25 anight for the fridge. Just refuse the key, if it has the key in it when you check in, get them to come and lock it and take the key with them. In all our stays ,the fridge has never had the key in it, it has always been offered to us at checkin.

Exactly.

 

[Sleepy]

I always refuse the key at checkin plus we always pay cash at checkin so there is no way to bill us later. One time I got the final invoice under the door on the last night and it had mini bar charges on it. I went right down to the front desk and told them that's impossible since I refused the key and room charging. They removed it and gave me another final invoice all paid like at checkin. I would never pay for anything I did not use or eat!

The problem is that you used a credit card/debit at time of reservation and it is still on file. This happened to me at the NYC Hilton last summer. I paid IN ADVANCE online for my stay. At check-in, I refused room charging privies and had them keep the minibar key. They did NOT take my debit card at that time.

At check-out, I went to the desk for the final bill, which showed zero. A few days later, my bank statement showed a $35 charge for Hilton. Called Hilton to find they did in fact charge my debit for minibar. I told them I did not use the minibar and did not have the key. She quickly said, "no problem", and refunded my card. I was surprised by how quickly she agreed. Made me think maybe this happens on purpose quite a bit and hope people don't notice.

So, even though you paid IN CASH at check-in, refused the room charging privies and minibar keys, and did not give them a debit/credit card at check-in, they still have your card on file. Now, whether they can legally use it for a purpose other than that tied to the deposit at time of reservation, I have no idea, but it did happen to me. That is why I make sure it is SIGNED on the check-in invoice that the minibar key was not issued to me.

 

[francie57]

Sleepy, my point exactly. I wonder how many people they charge on cc they have on account and people pay the bill without checking. I check all my statements so I know exactly what should be on it. The two times they charged our cc they took it off without any problem after I called. I know everyone says refuse the key but as I stated, when we checked in in Aug. (we had two rooms), neither room checking in was asked if they wanted the key or not - the keys were in each mini-frig when we entered the rooms. One of the minibars would not lock so we called and reported that and they came and that is when we had them emptied. So not sure what the current policy is, but we were never asked if we wanted the key or not.

 

[Bluer101]

The problem is that you used a credit card/debit at time of reservation and it is still on file. This happened to me at the NYC Hilton last summer. I paid IN ADVANCE online for my stay. At check-in, I refused room charging privies and had them keep the minibar key. They did NOT take my debit card at that time.

At check-out, I went to the desk for the final bill, which showed zero. A few days later, my bank statement showed a $35 charge for Hilton. Called Hilton to find they did in fact charge my debit for minibar. I told them I did not use the minibar and did not have the key. She quickly said, "no problem", and refunded my card. I was surprised by how quickly she agreed. Made me think maybe this happens on purpose quite a bit and hope people don't notice.

So, even though you paid IN CASH at check-in, refused the room charging privies and minibar keys, and did not give them a debit/credit card at check-in, they still have your card on file. Now, whether they can legally use it for a purpose other than that tied to the deposit at time of reservation, I have no idea, but it did happen to me. That is why I make sure it is SIGNED on the check-in invoice that the minibar key was not issued to me.

We always check our bank accounts (my wife is a bank supervisor) so that would not be a problem, but I do understand not many check theirs. We use our check card to book, so its just like cash. Many use CC and never check the statements.

 

[Sleepy]

We always check our bank accounts (my wife is a bank supervisor) so that would not be a problem, but I do understand not many check theirs. We use our check card to book, so its just like cash. Many use CC and never check the statements.

The debit card is just like a credit card in the eyes of a hotel. It is on file when you book, so they have access to it after you check out. That is good that you check up on it. Not everyone follows their checking account so closely.

 

[eeyorepixie]

I was just of Trip advisor and read a ton of reviews. Many said they were charged for stuff from the mini bar that they did not use.

Honestly, after reading so many reviews I have decide we will stay only 3 nights vs. 5 not feeling so good about it now.

 

[Sleepy]

I was just of Trip advisor and read a ton of reviews. Many said they were charged for stuff from the mini bar that they did not use.

Honestly, after reading so many reviews I have decide we will stay only 3 nights vs. 5 not feeling so good about it now.

The length of stay is not going to make a difference. If they have intentions of charging you, they will do it even after a single night stay. Just have them keep the key and sign off on your check-in form (your copy) that they kept the key. If the charges show up it can easily be corrected, because you have proof. The only way to completely avoid the possibility of this is to stay at a hotel with no minibars.