I am a night owl who always needs something to munch on to keep me company while I work. I am that sucker who always pay an obscene amout for a soda, chocolate or chips. Because instead of taking the time to pick up my own snack at the nearby grocery store, I raid my hotel room's mini bar quite often.
It is unfortunate that this expense cannot be counted as reimbursable. Don't you just wish hotels would start treating mini bars as giving extra service to their guests rather than as profit centers?
Anyway, this expensive snacking option has gone high-tech, as well.
Imagine my surprise a couple of years ago when I was checking out of the Holiday Inn at Brentcross in London and they showed me my hotel bill. I didn't realize until then that the drinks in the mini bar were electronically rigged. So, everytime a drink is taken out of its position, I got charged for it. Naturally, I spent the previous night rummaging through the whole refrigerator for my choice of drink. Fortunately, I was not the only unsuspecting victim and they readily agreed to check the bar and reverse the charges.
Have the munchies? Don't raid the mini bar like I always do. Follow worldroom's advice...
Tips on Avoiding the Minibar
- Pack your own healthy, satisfying snacks, such as low-fat crackers and fruits.
- If your minibar has a key, do not get it at check-in. You won't be able to gobble up the munchies if you can't get at them.
- Do something else when you get a craving: read a book; take a relaxing bath; or sleep off the urge to munch.
- If you can't resist having drinks or snacks, buy your own supply at a grocery store near your hotel. This way you might feel guilty about the calories, but at least not about the prices. The walk will also do you good.
- When possible, stay on a concierge/executive floor serving snacks. The cost of these snacks and drinks is usually included in the price of the room, which most companies pay for.
- Check out room service -- it might have better food choices, and slightly better prices. Some companies even allow room services expenses as part of their travel policy.
» Watch a DVD in your hotel room from RoadGladiator
When on extended business trips, I indulge in one of my guilty pleasures... watching movies which I normally would not admit to liking in the privacy of my hotel room. With my loot from the mini bar or a tray of food... [Read More]
Tracked on: May 29, 2006 2:53 PM | Permalink to Trackback