It’s commonplace to check into a hotel room and discover a mini bar brimming with treats provided for guests to indulge in during their stay.

From my tenure at a hotel, I observed that patrons frequently commit the same minibar blunder. Anyone who has ever been employed in the hospitality sector, be it front of house, restaurant or housekeeping, will appreciate the number of behind-the-scenes titbits you gather.

Whether it’s finding an unusual item left in a room, gossip about a perpetually disgruntled guest, or identifying those who insist on bringing their own wine and shelling out £20 corkage per bottle for the privilege.

During my stint as a hotel receptionist, I saw it all, including the guests and their habits. Whilst each individual was unique, with their specific requests and customised stays, the majority of guests committed the same error with the mini bar in their rooms.

And it was exasperating for us as staff.

To provide some context, the minibars were equipped with a fridge filled with bottled water, beer, juice, and half a bottle of champagne. There was also a snack tray atop the cabinet, laden with crisps, nuts and chocolate.

Each one of these items was billable to the room.

The prices of each item were clearly detailed on the ‘mini bar menu’ positioned next to the snack tray or on their desk, yet, invariably, it was overlooked. Guests often presumed that just because they have snacks and drinks in their room, they are free to gorge on.

I’ve lost count of the occasions I’d enquire at checkout, ‘Did you have anything from your mini bar?’ only for guests to respond, ‘Yes, I thought it was all free. ‘ This resulted in an extremely uncomfortable exchange where I itemised the cost of everything they’d consumed onto their bill whilst they watched, utterly shocked.

I mean, did they genuinely believe half a bottle of Champagne in a minibar fridge and two beers would be complimentary?

Don’t get me wrong, we did provide certain complimentary items in the room. Everyone had unlimited coffee, tea and milk, there was a jug of tap water constantly replenished beside their bed, and everyone received a handmade buttery shortbread biscuit, whilst the children got a gingerbread man.

Were these listed on the ‘mini bar menu’?

No. Does this mean they’re complimentary?

Did guests consume everything in the mini bar before checking the prices?

Whilst it’s scarcely the gravest offence, it was certainly irritating for those of us working on reception or the housekeepers, as we restocked mini bar fridges and trays before delivering the news to those who assumed it was complimentary.

However, we were amongst the more accommodating hotels, permitting guests to verify items and prices before being charged. In certain hotels, a charge is applied the moment the item is lifted from its designated position, thanks to a clever yet frustrating sensor.

Admittedly, these aren’t always straightforward to identify, with products positioned so meticulously that detecting a sensor underneath proves challenging. So when you next check into a hotel, examine the mini-bar menu to determine whether charges apply, or if it’s genuinely complimentary – some genuinely are!

Taking this precaution will spare everyone the awkwardness at checkout, or prevent that irritating charge appearing after you’ve departed and your room has been inspected for consumed minibar goods. Don’t say you weren’t forewarned.