We’ve seen enough $150 candles and $4 tins of Altoids to know better than to expect a bargain from a hotel minibar. But sometimes the price gouging gets absolutely scandalous—like at these four New York hotels that have mastered the art of the overcharge.
Even airports don't charge this much for water
The Hotel: Mansfield Hotel
The Rip-off: $10 bottle of water
Only an orthodontist would shell out for this
The Hotel: W New York – The Tuscany
The Rip-off: $12 toothpaste kit
- About 14 times what we usually spend on candy
The Hotel: Omni Berkshire Place
The Rip-off: $14 gummy bears
But how much would this collection cost in a shop near Times Square?
The Hotel: Gild Hall
The Rip-off: $195 “Travel Couples Pleasure Kit,” including a vibrator, handcuffs, condoms and lube
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I am always appalled at the prices for hotel mini-bar items. It is gouging at it’s worst.
I stayed at the W in downtown Chicago in Sep 09. Nice hotel but the minibar charges were outrageous. No thanks to $5 mini can of Pringles, etc.!
I stayed at the Lowe’s Royal Caribbean Resort at Universal Orlando, FL, and noticed $7 for a bottle of Fiji water. Target was selling six-packs for less.
Also, I spoke to an attendant who was removing the stale-dated beer and food from the mini-bars. I politely told him that if they were priced reasonably, people would buy them instead of him tossing it all.
You didn’t mention the biggest rip-off and, that is pizza.
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