Latest news with #minibar
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Las Vegas hotel slammed after guest stuck with outrageous bill for a bottle of water
It's not just slot machines that are fleecing people. A Las Vegas hotel is being lambasted mercilessly online after charging nearly $30 for a bottle of water from room minibars. The apparent H20 highway robberies came to light via photos and a fan submission shared by the travel blog A View From the Wing. The unidentified guest had reportedly been staying at the Aria Resort & Casino — one of over 30 MGM resorts — where room rates start at $280 per night. According to the post, an employee had been restocking and cleaning out their room's minibar, which the visitor noted had 'food crammed in the fridge from two guests ago.' The worker informed the visitor that water costs $26, but only told them after the guest had consumed a full bottle, the poster wrote. That constituted more than 10% of the person's total bill of $259, according to a screenshot of their invoice. To make matters worse, the same water reportedly costs just $7.45 at a Starbucks downstairs. While hotel minibars are known for their extortionate markups, some Aria guests noted that the other items in the fridge were not nearly as steep. , shared a photo of a hotel minibar menu showing a Coca-Cola Deluxe that cost $13.75, nearly half as much as the Fiji Water, which set guests back a whopping $24.75. 'Do you think it's fair to pay for the convenience, or this is price gouging?' the traveler spluttered in the caption. Commenters were similarly perplexed over the price tags, with one writing, 'Was just there. I was floored.' 'Vegas is dying so they have to charge a buttload to survive,' declared another, referencing declining tourist numbers at the gambling mecca. 'They depend on the drunk visitors that don't care about their prices at 2 a.m. when they get back to their room,' said a third. A View From the Wing contributor Gary Leff accused Aria of flouting the 'diamonds-water paradox' floated by 'The Wealth of Nations' author Adam Smith, who wrote that water is necessary but cheap, while diamonds are useless for survival but expensive due to their scarcity. 'Aria in Las Vegas proves there really was no paradox after all,' Leff quipped. 'Water in the desert is crucial to survival and incredibly expensive for guests staying there!' He declared that Sin City had 'clearly given up on any idea of hospitality.' 'I would think, though, that a $36.28 per night resort fee (inclusive of tax) might be high enough to offer a single bottle of water as one of its inclusions. I guess not!' Leff griped. 'This is the perfect example of the kind of out of sample cost that makes people feel cheated on a Las Vegas trip, leaving customers with a bad taste in their mouth. And that is dangerous heading into a Las Vegas downturn.'
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Outrage as Las Vegas hotel charges guest eye-watering price for a single bottle of water
A Las Vegas visitor got a shocking surprise after grabbing a bottle of water from their hotel room — only to later discover the $26 price tag. The unidentified guest was staying at the upscale Aria Resort & Casino when they took the one liter bottle of Fiji from the room's minibar, not realizing the steep cost until after finishing it. Making matters worse, they later spotted the same brand of water being sold at the on-site Starbucks for just $7.45. At nearby stores, it was under $3. The guest's bill — including room rate, resort fees, taxes, and the infamous water — totaled $258.51 for a single night on June 8, according to a photo published by travel site View from the Wing. The Aria, one of over 30 MGM Resorts, includes rates currently starting at $280 a night. A social media user who goes by Lasvegasblogger posted a photo in April of Aria's minibar menu, showing seven drink options — with the Fiji water clocking in at $24.75. A regular can of Coke was $13.75. 'It's a regular can of Coca-Cola in case you wonder what is deluxe,' the blogger wrote. 'Those prices make me think I'm at a Dodgers or Yankees World Series game,' one commenter joked. '7-Eleven here I come.' A traveler known as Lasvegasblogger posted a photo of a minibar menu in April that featured a $24.75 Fiji water bottle Another added: 'Never, ever touch the minibar. Cheaper to go in the casino and get a free drink — just tip the server.' Besides pricy drinks, the Aria offers a food, including $16 juice, a $20 seasonal berry plate, $34.50 mixed nuts, and a $82.50 lobster tail entrée. Neil Saunders of GlobalData revealed these prices were not a shocker as Las Vegas hotel minibars have also been 'astronomical.' 'Minibars are expensive for hotels to operate, but in the huge Vegas hotels a lot of effort is involved to keep them stocked,' Saunders told 'Vegas hotels also have lots of shops and restaurants and the owners would prefer guests used those than sit in their rooms eating things from the minibars.' He revealed that he refuses to pay minibar prices whenever he travels, and prefers to shop for beverages elsewhere. 'I simply go to the Target store on the Las Vegas Strip on my first day and stock up on things I might need. It saves a fortune.' Like Saunders, several Facebook users admitted to stopping stores like Walgreens or CVS to by drinks and 'skip the minibar.' Prices are usually high for hotels depending on factors like popularity, date of stay, and destination. However, as a result of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, prices are drastically rising, while customers are fearing recession and the possibility of stagflation - prices rising and economic growth slowing at the same time. has reached out to MGM Resorts International for comment about the beverage prices. Travel writer Gary Leff, who wrote the story on View from the Wing. invoked the classic diamonds-water paradox to explain the eye-watering price. 'Prices are set 'at the margin,' not by total usefulness,' he wrote. 'Water is essential to life, but because it's usually abundant, the value of one extra bottle isn't very high. Diamonds, on the other hand, are not essential — but they're rare and highly desired, so each additional carat commands a premium.' The paradox, famously discussed by Adam Smith, highlights why something vital like water can be cheap, while something non-essential like diamonds can be wildly expensive.
Washington Post
31-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Washington Post
11 hotel room rituals that are nonnegotiable
When I'm lucky enough to stay in a hotel, I have certain rituals that I always perform. It's as if I've never seen furniture or a television before. Everything is somehow more exciting when you're away from home … except those minibar prices.
Globe and Mail
16-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Menu Tiger Launches QR Code-Based Minibars for Airbnbs, Elevating Guest Convenience to Hotel Standards
A new wave of innovation is transforming short-term rentals, as tech-enabled minibars bring hotel-style convenience to Airbnb guests. Leveraging digital tools like MENU TIGER's menu QR code ordering system, this modern amenity gives hosts a unique edge in the competitive hospitality market. With over 8 million active listings on Airbnb and more than 2 billion guest arrivals globally, the demand for enhanced guest experience continues to rise. While short-term rentals offer unique and local experiences, many travellers still desire the reliability and convenience of hotel-style services, particularly regarding food and beverage options. Enter the menu QR code for minibar—a streamlined, self-serve amenity that lets Airbnb hosts offer curated snacks, drinks, and local treats, available for instant purchase via a simple scan. Using MENU TIGER's integrated ordering platform, these minibars feature smart inventory tracking and seamless digital payments, allowing for real-time restocking and a hassle-free experience for both guests and hosts. 'Guests and travelers today expect more than just a clean space to sleep. They want thoughtful, accessible amenities,' said Benjamin Claeys, CEO at MENU TIGER. 'With QR-powered minibars, hosts can deliver just that while generating new income streams with minimal effort.' Industry data supports the opportunity: annually, hotel minibars generate up to $152 per available room, or $2 to $3 in Sales Per Occupied Room (SPOR), and 57% of Airbnb guests say they are willing to pay extra for personalized services, such as in-room snacks and beverages. For hosts, this translates to higher ratings, more repeat bookings, and a competitive edge to pull over other visitors effortlessly. Unlike traditional hotel minibars, a minibar for Airbnbs focuses on quality, local partnerships, and personalization. A case study by Spirit Amenities found that properties offering upgraded in-room amenities saw guest satisfaction scores rise by 22%. This is because modern travelers expect more than a clean sleep place. They're looking for thoughtful touches, seamless amenities, and immediate access to what they need after a long journey or during a relaxing getaway. Recognizing this shift, minibars for short-rentals and Airbnbs offer hosts an innovative service that brings professionally curated minibars with beverages, snacks, and local products available for purchase instantly with just a scan. The result is a premium, hotel-style experience that enhances guest satisfaction and boosts revenue for the business. The setup is simple and scalable. Digital menus can be updated in real-time, and hosts can monitor inventory levels through MENU TIGER's platform. The result is a passive income model that blends operational efficiency with elevated guest service. Even more compelling is the low barrier to entry for hosts. Unlike large-scale operations, these minibar setups require minimal upfront investment and offer quick returns. Digital menus can be updated in real time, and inventory can be tracked with simple software like MENU TIGER. It's a scalable model that blends passive income with premium service. As the short-term rental market evolves, innovations like QR code-based minibars are redefining hospitality. 'This is more than a trend—it's a shift toward Airbnb properties functioning as full-service, tech-enabled micro-hotels,' added Claeys. The future of short-term rentals is personalized, connected, and just a scan away.
