Rip Off Hotel Minibars

I have now stayed at three four star hotels in three European capital cities.
Much to my amazement, I would not rate two of them as four star at all, as they lacked a useable refrigerator.

In Australia I stay at one and a half star places {since I get an allowance and can keep the amount I do not spend} and always get a useable refrigerator or minibar to keep drinks or food cold.

But in these four star places they give you a minibar filled with drinks and munchies.
And in the UK it would cost me 2.75 pounds to get a tiny can of Coke or 6 pounds for a hand full of cashew nuts.

In Paris, it was about the same at 6 euros for the tiny can of Coke.

And if you remove the items to put your own stuff in, the computerised sensors registered the movement and charge you for having used the items.

In the UK you could use the minibar for your own purposes, but it would cost you an extra 15 pounds a day.

Fortunately, I am now at the Hotel Torino in Rome, which does fill the mini bar with items, but at a reasonable price, and is not computerised. And you can use it for your own purposes if you wish.

Before booking a hotel which supposedly has a minibar, an unwary traveller would be wise to first ask if he can actually use the minibar in the room for his or her own purposes.

To my mind, it is sad that 4 star places are lacking the basic utility of the one and a half star places in my homeland.

Does this outrageous practice occur in your country?
Renato

Last year I stayed in a four star hotel in the center of Brussels, Belgium. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the hotel, the staff, or the service, and the price I paid was absolutely reasonable, all things considered.

But was it everything I expected from a four star hotel? Ehhmm... no. I've spent some time in four star hotels before, which where not only far more expensive, but also much better equipped, and much more luxurious. In fact, when I booked this place and noticed the low price, I knew there would be a catch: luxury never comes this cheap. Indeed, it didn't. This was really just a three star hotel with a fancy lobby.

My point is that the star rating itself is a bit of an arbitrary thing, and that it can be very deceiving (especially in the middle segment). I'm sure that many four star hotels in northern Europe could pass for three stars, when properly compared.

To come back to the minibar fridges: in Europe they are usually sealed, no matter if it's a three- or four star place. On the old continent it's one of those services that don't come for free, and I think most people here are used to this practice.[/quote]

That's interesting, but I can't fathom how people can get used to it.
I know that at home I was most miserable when my fridge broke down, and it took me three days before it was fixed. How can people get used to not having such a basic amenity?

The hotel I stayed in in London was definitely luxurious, the one in Paris somewhat less so. But the one I'm in now is probably the least luxurious, but with the best service and utility by far. Breakfast is included in the price of the room, and I'd have had to pay over £40 pounds for each of us to get what they give us here in the mornings. Breakfast would have been 19 Euros each in the hotel in Paris.

It certainly pays to shop around, and not automatically go for the big names.
Renato

I've never heard of an energy fee. Is it based on actual energy consumption in one's room?
Renato