19/03/2009 - 'Minibar meddling' on the rise
High minibar prices are forcing some hotel guests to buy replacements in supermarkets where they are cheaper instead of having to fork out the hefty hotel fee.
According to a survey by Hotels.com, the so-called "minibar meddling" has been practised by 10% of guests questioned and the average spent on hotel minibars per trip by Britons has fallen from £17.29 per person in 2007 to £15.44.
Travellers from eight countries were surveyed and the results show that on average the Irish spent the most at £21.75, while the Norwegians spent the least at just £9.89.
The results also show that 84% of Britons think hotel minibars are too expensive and a further 60% avoid buying snacks from them and instead bring food and drink into the hotel from outside shops.
Hotels.com communications director Alison Couper said: "British travellers are clearly unable to resist the temptations of the hotel minibar.
"However, our research shows they are becoming incredibly savvy in terms of how they spend their holiday money."
But 32% of Britons are likely to tuck into a minibar late at night even though they do not stock what they really wanted.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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