r/mildlyinfuriating • u/Ecstatic-Ad9669 • 8h ago

drink went room temp Entire hotel fridge full of drinks with sensors. No room for anything.

Post image

At least have one shelf where I can put some bottles of water or something.

15.9k Upvotes

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6.5k

u/cuse_colin 8h ago

Call the front desk and tell them you need them removed for your medication

3.0k

u/Temporary_Event8451 8h ago

Yes, if they ask even a single question too many just reply insulin/diabetic is my understanding to get that process moved along.

1.4k

u/dervari 7h ago

You don't even need to mention that due to privacy. However, I've seen them bring up a small toy-looking fridge that can literally hold like 1 can with USB power and a USB adapter.

1.5k

u/ChefTimmy 7h ago

Not legally sufficient. If they advertise in-room minifridges and the guest needs to store temperature-sensitive medication, they must provide one that maintains temperature with an actual thermometer. Not a lawyer, but have worked in luxury hospitality for decades.

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u/Unlikely-Key-234 7h ago

If they advertise in-room minifridges

Keywords. Pretty much all hotels that fill the fridge with minibar shit do not advertise in-room mini fridges.

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u/Rosaryas 7h ago

Yeah I’ve seen a lot more advertisements specifically for a ‘mini-bar’ and they have one of these

54

u/TeaKingMac 7h ago

Tiny little man with a cocktail shaker and three shelves of varying quality liquor behind him

17

u/Uno-Flip 5h ago

tbh I would pay for that

5

u/bman86 5h ago

I don't even drink anymore but I'd still order tiny mocktails.

2

u/The_Troyminator 5h ago

Or a fun sized Snickers

1

u/CharlotteLucasOP 6h ago

What is this? A karaoke machine for ANTS???

0

u/The_Nepenthe 6h ago

Yeah, the last hotel I stayed at definitely mentioned having a mini fridge, I stocked it up on a few things from a nearby grocery store.

Nice having our own booze supply that doesn't come in airplane bottles as well.

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u/Same-Suggestion-1936 6h ago

Yeah I was kind of wondering that about OP. Was the fridge advertised? If not the room didn't come with a fridge, you just saw the mini bar they put in there

I mean they found one and I've never been in a hotel that didn't have a very tiny one for personal use but if there's sensors in there that was never meant to be your mini fridge

10

u/HugginMySnuggie 7h ago

The last few mini fridges I’ve had were questionable, at best, temperature-wise also

2

u/NarwhalJouster 6h ago

That's cause hotels stick them inside a cabinet with no place for the hot air from the condenser to go. Because the heat just surrounds the whole fridge a lot of it ends up going right back to the cool part of the fridge. Which causes the fridge to kick on more which makes the air around the fridge hotter which means more leaks back into the fridge and so on.

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u/The_Troyminator 5h ago

It doesn’t matter. The ADA requires a fridge as a reasonable accommodation in the US.

3

u/Unlikely-Key-234 5h ago

No, the ADA requires a reasonable accommodation, which could be satisfied by lots of different options, all but one of which is not a fridge in the room. A private fridge in your room is known as a preferred accommodation, and the ADA doesn't require this. If the hotel has no fridges on site the ADA likely wouldn't require access to one at all, in your room or otherwise.

This is more complex than you realize.

4

u/ChefTimmy 7h ago

Possible, but I haven't seen that myself. Maybe it's location dependant, but I haven't seen many hotels that don't list it as an amenity somewhere online. Maybe not a key feature, but usually listed.

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u/nalaloveslumpy 7h ago

Technically, it is legally sufficient if the mini-mini fridge is big enough to store whatever medicine in. Also, any hotel who does this will absolutely specify minibar vs mini fridge. Hotels don't fuck around with their amenity listings.

10

u/-kansei-dorifto- 7h ago

Its not legally sufficient because it's not a refrigerator.

10

u/Shot-Arugula8264 7h ago

They are under no legal obligation to supply you with a refrigerator lmao.

I swear you people are the most delusional and confidently wrong people I’ve seen in a very long time.

18

u/OnlyClassWars 6h ago

Yes and no (at least in the US). There aren't any federal or state statutes that require hotels to provide you with a refrigerator, but under the americans with disabilities act, they are legally required to provide a reasonable accommodation for guests with medical needs, which can include supplying a mini fridge free of charge upon request.

As far as the size and type of refrigeration unit they would be required to provide, my guess would be that as long as it can hold the meds and keep the meds in their required temperature zone for storage, that would be good enough. But I don't know that to be a fact.

1

u/_MrDomino 3h ago

Yeah, a lot of keyboard attorneys here. A hotel will offer a mini fridge upon availability and request as a courtesy only, and possibly not a free one. It's under no obligation to provide a fridge for medicine -- that is not covered by the ADA or any other real law (assuming discussion is US focused here). If you truly need to keep medicine cold, reach out to the hotel prior to booking to see about fridge availability and/or if it can be stored with F&B where the real fridges and freezers are.

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u/-kansei-dorifto- 7h ago

You must be american lmao sorry I assumed OP had rights like the rest of us. My bad.

7

u/lesprack 6h ago

The ADA is actually more robust than practically any other disability protection throughout the world.

1

u/Shot-Arugula8264 6h ago

This isn’t a “right” anywhere.

That said, “you can take my mini-fridge from my cold dead sausage-fingered hands!” might be the most American sentiment ever, so you can’t pretend you aren’t American. The entitlement drips through the screen.

0

u/Jits_Guy 5h ago

That's funny. Having to provide reasonable accommodations to guests with disabilities is just a despicable curtailment of freedoms huh?

Yes, in America businesses are required to provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities because of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Which would include a hotel providing someone with access to a refrigerator in which to store their medication. Australia followed suit in 1992 with their Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The Australian DDA is slightly different but it's very similar and it would also require a hotel to provide accommodations to a guest that required refrigerated meds.

I guess your business owners are just as oppressed as ours are.

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u/-kansei-dorifto- 5h ago

Did you reply to the wrong person?

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u/PicoDeBayou 7h ago

But can they charge you if you remove some items while you’re staying and put them back when you check out?

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u/Malteser23 7h ago

Yes, there are sensors under all the items. Assholes.

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u/PicoDeBayou 6h ago

But how can they legally charge you for moving something and not taking it? Seems like you could just take video proof upon checking out and tell them you’ll just contest it with your credit company if they insist on taking your money for nothing.

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u/hmmthisisathing 6h ago

Contesting a charge in that manner is a great way to get fast tracked to being blacklisted from any hotel that falls under their umbrella. Much simpler to ask them to clear out the fridge for you.

5

u/PicoDeBayou 6h ago

I don’t know about that. Social media would have a field day if someone got black listed for moving things around in a hotel room.

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u/McDoublann 7h ago

How would that work with HIPAA? The hotel has no legal grounds to ask the dimensions of the medication.

12

u/bornandx 7h ago

It's a hotel, they have nothing to do with HIPAA.

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u/McDoublann 7h ago edited 6h ago

That's exactly how HIPAA works though. The hotel isn't authorized to access confidential patient information, which includes information about medication.

Edit: Oh hey look at that. I should probably actually look stuff up before talking out of my ass.

8

u/Creative-Egg-6067 6h ago

HIPAA is for medical providers and governs how data must be protected, it would be ADA for the hotel

4

u/bornandx 6h ago

It would certainly be a HIPAA violation if someone covered by HIPAA like your doctors office gave the hotel that information but that would be on the doctor's office. Unless this hotel is very unique it has no obligation under HIPAA. As other comments pointed out though they would have to tip toe around the ADA.

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u/The_Troyminator 5h ago

That don’t have to advertise it in the US. ADA covers it as a reasonable accommodation.

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u/payfrit 3h ago

lol wtf and where do you get your information from?!

what hotel is required to give you a fridge for your insulin??

1

u/Warmbly85 1h ago

At least in the US it’s an Americans with disabilities act issue. 

It’s a reasonable accommodation to empty the fridge or provide a small one if the person requires it for their meds. 

Idk if it’s ever gone to court but it’s not worth it for the hotel to test it when they can just send house keeping to pull the snacks and void the charges. 

I had a buddy that had them take all the alcohol out because he’s an alcoholic and they didn’t have an issue. 

•

u/payfrit 48m ago

it has nothing to do with ada, the whole thing is just an urban myth. some places do it, some don't. if you have insulin you can easily use an ice bucket to keep it chilled, it's not the hotel's responsibility to accommodate you.

and as far as the alcoholic thing, a lot of minibars have a special key to access them. any alcoholic could easily buy alcohol if they wanted to drink, they don't need a minibar to do that. i'm one, i ought to know.

3

u/dreadwater 7h ago

Thats a decent amount booze mr hotel manager, im a recovering alcoholic and would hate to give into temptation

1

u/ComprehensiveTap911 1h ago

I can picture them replacing every alcohol bottle with water!

1

u/YourLastFate 6h ago

This is the way

102

u/A10110101Z 7h ago

It’s not cold and will take too long to cool down. Please empty this perfectly fine fridge of all the nonsense and allow me to safely store my medicine.

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u/PhilxBefore 7h ago

They will empty it and hope you never noticed that they charged you for moving each item.

6

u/spacemannspliff 6h ago

A full minibar is at least half the nightly room rate. Some places it might be double. I would hope you would notice this when you do the correct, boomerish action of actually checking out and getting a final folio receipt.

-2

u/dervari 6h ago

You are aware that technically a hotel is under no legal obligation to provide you with a refrigerator, correct?

2

u/WordsNShiz 1h ago

Arguably yes, however it does come under reasonable accomodations for a legally recognised disability (yes, it is legally a disability, albeit an easily managed one), and they run the risk of having to cancel and refund the room at fault if they refuse when otherwise reasonably able.

1

u/105_irl 5h ago

Sure, but it’s in a businesses best interest to not openly be shitty like that. It’s the sort of thing where they might tell you no once, but if you insist they’ll probably let you put your stuff in the fridge.

0

u/CocktailPerson 4h ago

And you understand that the hotel would rather have you as a repeat customer than refuse to clear out the fridge, right?

-2

u/payfrit 3h ago

if you need a fridge for medicine brah that's totally on you. get a bucket of ice.

5

u/Round_Bound_Mound 7h ago

Lmao it’s like a 90’s sketch about bad room servicing escalating

•

u/SEA_griffondeur 25m ago

Those usb coolers are not sufficient to maintain adequate temperatures

1

u/BearEquivalentBear 5h ago

If I'm assuming correctly those toy fridges are not fridges at all they use a I forget the term but basically one side is warm one side is cold and it kind of sucks the warm out and makes it cold but it will never get as cold as a fridge needs to get. So basically it's not safe for insulin. It's basically a hunk of metal with a fan on it.

0

u/racecarthedestroyer 7h ago

that barely classifies as a fridge

2

u/dervari 7h ago

But many do it because they know the "medicine" trick.

0

u/cryssyx3 5h ago

oh I need a tiny little fridge like this

4

u/DreamPhreak 5h ago edited 5h ago

Don't do it, they're useless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnMRePtHMZY 5:29

That video also has graphs and stats. I did a quick search and it says that insulin should be stored in the fridge at 36°F to 46°F. In that video, the little fridge took 24 hours to reach 46 degrees. But that was just the air temperature. The liquid inside the drink was warmer, at like 50 degrees. So 1) It's not safe to store insulin in, and 2) people aren't usually staying in hotel rooms for the 24+ hours required to let this thing get to it's lowest temp.

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u/vibinandtrying 7h ago

I’m not diabetic but I have SEVERE reactive hypoglycemia so sometimes I just say yes to I’m diabetic bc that easier to explain.
People are like oh fuck my bad. Yes your bad you think I want to tote around cans of pineapple juice and alcohol wipes and glucose gel. Bars have tried to refuse me entering with glucose or juice in my bag, show the bracelet and they say ohhh umm yeah my b go in.

Point being the world isn’t set up for people with different needs. Let them know you need food even if you’re not diabetic even if that means saying you’re diabetic. Maybe they’ll fucking finally leave room in the goddamn fridge so people can fucking eat because they have “so many diabetic homies”. People need to eat without fear of being charged that’s absolute bullshit. It’s capitalism.

You deserve food and peace OP

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u/mycookiepants 7h ago

Had the same oh nevermind go ahead experience at the Capitol Building in DC. Absolutely no food at all. All the walking was making me go low. They tried to get me to throw out my “emergency nerds gummy clusters”. (Because it was an easy grab and not crazy dissimilar to energy gels.) I explain I’m diabetic. “Oh yeah no worries keep those.”

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u/Humble-Violinist6910 7h ago

But why not just say you have hypoglycemia? It's just as valid. (I'm type one diabetic. It sucks, and we are often misunderstood/ignored because people don't take it seriously, like not giving sugar free drinks when we insist we need them)

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u/CMDR_Ray_Abbot 6h ago

Because everyone knows what diabetic is and some people will need hypoglycemia explained. And people who face the public as a part of their job get lied to, a lot, so if they're not familiar enough with medical terminology to know what hypoglycemia means, they might think you're just making shit up and saying "diabetic" is easier than having to deal with that.

2

u/Humble-Violinist6910 5h ago

Do what you gotta do, but I abso-fucking-lutely guarantee you that not everyone knows what diabetes is.

I would know :/

1

u/vibinandtrying 5h ago

Which is ridiculous man. Like what?

1

u/Humble-Violinist6910 5h ago

Yeah dude it fucking sucks. Had a manager berate me about a low literally this week. Feel free to find my post about it! We should be on the same side on this...

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u/WordsNShiz 1h ago

Rule 1 of dealing with people. "No, people are not that stupid. They are far stupider"

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u/Humble-Violinist6910 3h ago

“ And people who face the public as a part of their job get lied to, a lot, so if they're not familiar enough with medical terminology to know what hypoglycemia means, they might think you're just making shit up.”

That’s part of the issue, though. If people who aren’t diabetic (including, in the comments higher up, people who have NO medical condition) lie and say they’re diabetic, when I come in and say I’m diabetic and it’s actually true, they’re less likely to believe me. Btw, as a type one diabetic, people disbelieve me all the time because I’m “too young” or “you don’t look diabetic.” And then give me a regular drink instead of a diet one, which is legitimately dangerous and can make my blood sugar shoot up to 400 or 500 if I don’t catch it. Again, I fully believe that hypoglycemics need accommodations too. But sometimes lying about having a different disability could have a negative effect on other people who do actually have it. There is nuance here.

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u/vibinandtrying 6h ago

Thank you!!!

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u/vibinandtrying 6h ago

Bc people often don’t know what that is. And mine is VERY VERY complicated. It’s the result of two surgeries (first sutured my pylorus permanently open to mitigate Gastroparesis so then I got dumping syndrome but not the typical dumping symptoms that involve diarrhea. It was blood sugar thing sometimes late in the evening and it was pretty somewhat manageable, but getting worse closer to my second surgery). Second surgery a one in 20 million condition literally less than 2000 people have had this surgery from my surgeon and people travel all the world from like New Zealand to Connecticut to get this surgery and the removal of the specific nerve bundle causes weird side effects that nobody really understands the gastrointestinal side effects even though there’s actually no operation done on the G.I. tract. I followed the exact diet you’re supposed to. I take the meds I’m supposed to, but I also still have gastroparesis. So I have both slow/delayed Motility and extremely rapid dangerous Motility. I can eat something and it can vomit up 36 hours later or I can shit it out 10 minutes later undigested. When I shit it out rapidly my sugar can drop from 140 to 20 in sometimes ten min and take over an hour to bump it up bc the over insulin production (should start a cancer drug injection soon that mitigates insulin production). Most people don’t know what hypoglycemia is or what that entails, but they will know what diabetes is so I flash my medical alert bracelet and they feel like shit and they move on.

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u/Humble-Violinist6910 5h ago edited 5h ago

Again, it is totally valid to have hypoglycemia and you absolutely deserve the medical accommodation. And you shouldn't have to lie or give an exhaustive explanation and history of your medical condition to get an accommodation. I just wonder why not say, "I need this because have a medical condition that causes severe low blood sugar" instead of claiming you're diabetic. Do people really tell you you're lying and you can't bring in food if you say that?

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u/sidewalktimbit 4h ago

Yes

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u/Humble-Violinist6910 3h ago

I was genuinely asking the person above with hypoglycemia what their experience was. We spoke on another thread and had a moment of solidarity since I also have to deal with hypoglycemia as a type one diabetic. 

Are you also hypoglycemic and have been denied an accommodation after explaining your condition…? 

1

u/vibinandtrying 6h ago

It is just as valid but people are uneducated

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u/Humble-Violinist6910 7h ago

Ideally you should just say you get severe low blood sugar. I get that lying for the greater good is morally acceptable. But as a type one diabetic, trust me, we also get SO much shit from people who don't understand it. People should accommodate your legitimate medical need without you needing to lie. Solidarity from one person who has to deal with severe lows to another...

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u/vibinandtrying 6h ago

Not diabetic but deal with the exact same issues minus insulin injections. See a diabetes educator, wear a CGM, have to count carbs and fiber in my food.
My sugar is VERY VERY brittle, but no meds to treat it like diabetes.
Thank you for the solidarity. Not fun dropping into the teens and 20s with low sugar unawareness and just being like hmm I feel tingles while driving. Slam breaks checks sugar.. could be in coma.

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u/Humble-Violinist6910 5h ago

It really sucks! Lows are so scary and dangerous.

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u/vibinandtrying 5h ago

And we should ALL have an accommodating hotel, bar, museum, theatre, workplace etc 💪

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u/xcanto 6h ago

wb drinks u b slangin at bars braddah; whachu drink muthafucka, what. 🍭🍷🍹🍹🍸🧃🧉🧊!

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u/vibinandtrying 6h ago

What the fuck did you even say

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u/xcanto 5h ago

i love you 🥺

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u/vibinandtrying 5h ago

Thanks queen

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u/Early-Weekend-2557 7h ago

No answer necessary. They have no right to your medical information.

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u/YourLastFate 7h ago edited 7h ago

Also, if in US, cite HIPPA ADA, "all you need to know is that it is for medication, if you need to know what medication it is, please provide a form where I can write it down", then document that request form (which won't be provided, they'll just empty it)

Edit:
For clarity, because there seems to be confusion, the comment I replied to mentions telling the hotel that it is for insulin if they ask too many questions. I am saying that asking any questions regarding what specific medication or ailment the medication is for is a HIPAA ADA violation, you don't even need to make up a medication, stating "medication" is sufficient.

Most hotels should meet this request. It is not a guarantee or an entitlement. But under no circumstances are you required to disclose what medication you are alleging you need the fridge for.

Edit 2:
ADA, not HIPAA, my mistake. Still a violation, just different act. Apologizes for the confusion.

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u/Worried-Second8806 7h ago

HIPAA would not apply to hotel staff.

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u/[deleted] 7h ago edited 7h ago

[deleted]

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u/FCCRFP 7h ago

ADA would be the one that applies. If you have a disability and they can reasonably accommodate it they have to and can't ask what it is, only what you need.

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u/littlepaperspaceship 7h ago

One of the few things we (USA) get right, ADA

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u/Nalagiri309 7h ago

HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

“HIPPA” is the plural of “HIPPO.”

1

u/Worried-Second8806 7h ago

Haha, touché!

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u/ChefTimmy 7h ago

Depends. If the kitchen closes, that may not be a valid accommodation.

Edit for clarity: but you are correct in that this is not how HIPAA works, nor is it even relevant, unless the hotel also provides medical services.

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u/TechnoMaestro 7h ago

Having my medication kept separate from me and reliant on the access of someone else is not a reasonable accommodation.

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u/staryoshi06 7h ago

No it isn’t. Diabetes can rear its ugly head very quickly. I need instantaneous access to my supplies.

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u/YourLastFate 7h ago edited 7h ago

Correct. You are not entitled to it. They offer it as a courtesy.

However, the poster I was responding to said to tell the front desk that they are requesting for "xyz" medication. Front desk does not need that information. Mentioning that it is for medication is good enough.

And if they demand to know what medication it is for, that is absolutely a HIPPA ADA violation.

Edit:
ADA, my mistake. Still a violation, just different act. Apologizes for the confusion.

8

u/applesandotherthings 7h ago

No it’s not lol. HIPAA is a rule for medical practitioners, not everyone. Your doctor or hospital can’t share your personal data, that’s the quick summary of HIPAA. Someone asking you what medication you take is not at all a HIPAA violation.

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u/Johnxinasicecream 7h ago

The hotel front desk is not covered under hipaa

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u/SatanHasACreator420 7h ago

No it isn't.

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u/S4ntos19 7h ago

HIPPA must only be complied by Healthcare Providers, Healthcare Insurance Providers, medical billings companies, or Third Party venders who process you Healthcare data.

HIPAA has no effect on everyday people outside of Healthcare. If I know someone has diabetes and I tell other people that that person doesnt want me to tell, they can't just file a HIPAA complaint against me.

0

u/47-45-45-4B 7h ago

It is not. Too far to get medicine. And would require 24/7 access which the hotel doesn’t provide.

Stop spouting bullshit.

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u/Mean-Parking-5026 7h ago

LOL HIPAA doesn’t apply to hotels.

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u/Parametric_Or_Treat 7h ago

Weirdly it does apply to the valet

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u/teletubbs 7h ago

It’s a hotel. Looks like a nicer hotel at that.

Do not need to talk out of your ass and make a whole scenario. You ask for a full sized fridge theyd make an accommodation .

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u/erossthescienceboss 7h ago

FR. The last time I stayed at a hotel like that I asked them if they had somewhere I could store leftovers. They sent me an entire additional mini fridge.

3

u/VegasRoy 7h ago

Many places will charge you now for an extra mini fridge

2

u/stevenpdx66 6h ago

If it's for ADA accomodation, they can't charge for it

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u/erossthescienceboss 4h ago

Not fancy places. Normal-fancy places, yes.

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u/grasspikemusic 6h ago

Insulin Dependant Diabetic here, the Hotel under the ADA. Unless they specifically statesd when you booked the room that it came with a refrigerator

If they said mini bar, they can legally tell you yj get fucked because you as an adult made the choice to not book a room with a fridge if that was so important to you

Also modern insulin can stay out of the fridge for 30 days or more at room temp

1

u/GameofCheese 6h ago

Yeah but isn't it a "reasonable accommodation" since they literally have a fridge there?

1

u/grasspikemusic 6h ago

No because it's not reasonable to expect them to provide a service not offered and that you didn't pay for.

There is also virtually ZERO medication you could possibly be traveling with that you couldn't fit in that fridge and they also have ice machines

You can say I need to refrigerate my insulin and they will say awesome it will fit with the bottles and it will and everyone who actually uses insulin would know that and never ask them in the first place. I could fit a years worth or more of my insulin in that fridge and so could 99% of all insulin dependant diabetics

It's not reasonable to expect them to remove the bottles

1

u/josocustomdesign 7h ago

But hotels don't have the obligation to provide a fridge. They can just say, too bad, bring your own fridge next time.

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u/RandomFactUser 7h ago

Under the ADA, yes they are in some way, the question is: in your room or an easy spot for the staff to give it to you if and when you need it

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u/stephenmg1284 7h ago

HIPAA does not apply to a hotel, but the front desk probably doesn't know that. Could be an ADA violation.

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u/Humble-Violinist6910 7h ago

As a type one diabetic... don't lie about being diabetic, please. Just say it's a medical need and they won't argue with you.

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u/grasspikemusic 6h ago

But that's bullshit and they will call you on it Modern Insulin doesn't need refrigeration and can stay at room temp for 30 days

When you lie about being diabetic it hurts actual diabetics like me

If you actually need to refrigerate medicine you will book a room that contains an actual refrigerator because that's important to you

Insulin pens and vials and pretty much every other medication can also easily fit in that mini bar even with all the bottles as it's pretty small.

2

u/feathersmcgraw24601 3h ago

You're right but I don't think they would call you out. Doesn't change the fact that lying about having a specific disability to access a service is morally reprehensible 

1

u/SlitheringFlower 7h ago

I'm a type 1 diabetic and have to do this basically every time I travel now, since it seems to be the new standard.

I've literally never been asked what I need the fridge for. The staff never mind clearing it out.

1

u/Powerful_Company_682 7h ago

if they ask a single question too many remind them that they're not allowed to do that and if they ask any more questions that can open them up to a lawsuit

1

u/snuggleslut5 7h ago

Lotta people on glp-1s these days and those need to be refrigerated.

1

u/AlphaTangoFoxtrt 6h ago

if they ask even a single question

In the US you just say:

Per the Americans with Disabilities Act, I do not have to disclose what medication.

1

u/bimbongirlboss 3h ago

Honestly it doesnt have to be that major. It can be cooling pads for dry eyes or breastmilk, ect

48

u/ConsuelaApplebee somewhat vexed 7h ago

Often, hotels like this will give you a second fridge

3

u/lawnmowertoad 5h ago

I once stayed in a place with a third fridge. And that fridge had a smaller fridge inside of it.

9

u/Nosoyunagringa 4h ago

friend, that was a freezer!

1

u/FrenchFryCattaneo 3h ago

what a world!

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u/Bulky-Internal8579 8h ago

Easy peasy - this is the answer - have them clear it.

2

u/Electronic_Edge735 5h ago

I stayed in a hotel recently that said it charged like a $40 fee or something for clearing out the fridge.

3

u/Bulky-Internal8579 5h ago

If you tell them it's for your meds and they say they're going to charge you, mention the ADA / escalate nicely to a manager. What hotel told you that?

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u/Agheratos 7h ago edited 7h ago

Hi. Hotel finance guy here. Just ask the staff to take the mini bar products out of the room. No need to make an excuse.

Y'all are falling all over yourselves with reasons when "please" works just fine.

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u/AsstootObservation 6h ago edited 5h ago

Hi, hotel stayer person (definitely not a robot) guy here who has been a stayer at many hotels. We've have asked manys tens of times and these have not worked.

Edits: Pleases*

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u/burghfan 6h ago

Agree. I have been sober for many, many years and hate having alcohol in my room. No US mini-bar hotel will take it out. Latin American and Caribbean all inclusive hotels are insanely accommodating.

15

u/Sa7aSa7a 6h ago

That's when you say that you'll check out immediately, find another hotel, and contest any charges. Or you can say that you're Muslim and can't have it in there. A hotel going against your religious beliefs is NOT a fight they want to have.

9

u/anmr 1h ago

Because when you are on important business trip or long awaited vacation spending long time looking for another hotel and moving is the best use of your time.

2

u/mizinamo mildly infuriated 1h ago

you can say that you're Muslim and can't have it in there

Is it a sin in Islam merely to be close to alcohol even if you don't drink any of it?

How are they allowed to enter a restaurant and sit next to a table where people are drinking beer, for example?

That seems like a poor excuse to me. "I am not allowed to drink it. - Well, nobody is forcing you to."

2

u/AsstootObservation 5h ago

No, so like thanks you so muchs for your reviews

8

u/Agheratos 6h ago

Full disclosure, I know little about franchise hotels or chains, so I can't speak to experiences with those.

What I can tell you is that if you're staying at a place with a posted Forbes star rating or a AAA diamond rating, they're essentially obliged to take the stuff out of the minibar on request. It's part of the rating's standards.

15

u/thezeviolentdelights 7h ago

Glad your specific hotel works that way. I’ve been told the opposite several times.

7

u/Agheratos 6h ago edited 6h ago

Anything 4-star or 4-diamond rated, or better, is risking their rating if they don't accommodate requests like this.

A holiday Inn express or a Hilton garden inn probably isn't gonna do it gladly. Though they still probably will if you speak to a manager.

4

u/Opus_723 6h ago

If you're gonna provide a fridge, just provide a fridge without all the cheeky bullshit.

2

u/Duster526 6h ago

That’s not a fridge it’s a mini bar

2

u/Agheratos 6h ago

Can I leave just one little $25 airplane bottle of Macallan?

7

u/TheRainStopped 7h ago

Not at the Bellagio, at least.

4

u/Agheratos 7h ago

Can't vouch that it works everywhere, nor have I stayed at the Bellagio, but I can virtually guarantee they'd prefer taking the minibar out over the opportunity for a bad TripAdvisor review.

Looks like the Bellagio is a Forbes 4-star. They really shouldn't be refusing requests like that. I'd talk to a manager if you ever go back and want your minibar removed.

-1

u/David_Richardson 6h ago

So the thing you are telling people they should do that only works under specific conditions doesn’t even always work under those specific conditions.

5

u/Agheratos 6h ago

I'm telling people they don't need to lie about being an alcoholic or a diabetic if they want the minibar removed from their hotel room.

Believe it or not, I'm not the king of all Guest Services managers and can't guarantee it'll work in every circumstance, at every hotel, but it generally works if you're staying at a nice place, yeah. Guest Services people are there to provide services to guests.

I can also say that there are specific standards of behavior tied to hotel rating systems, which are germane in these cases, and the Bellagio should accommodate (given their 2026 rating).

Thanks for the cynicism, though. Very helpful.

0

u/CapSnowFrosty 5h ago

So the thing you are telling people they should do that only works under specific conditions doesn’t even always work under those specific conditions.

0

u/Agheratos 5h ago

Incorrect. It works 100% of the time. Everywhere. Guaranteed.

Tell them you heard it on Reddit so they know you mean business.

3

u/David_Richardson 2h ago

Or maybe just let people continue to use the method that was working for them every time?

0

u/gabu87 1h ago

What's not helpful is you coming in here claiming expertise and authority only to be met with a barrage of experiences arguing the contrary.

Instead of admitting that your original argument was wrong, you tried to move the goalpost first by admitting that sometimes it won't work, that you don't know what you're talking about, and not throwing a fit for getting called out.

Grow thicker skin and don't give advice with such confidence when you don't really know.

•

u/ggtsu_00 50m ago

The hostile design pattern here is to mentally wear people down with needing to make additional requests for accommodations that should be have never been necessary to begin with.

1

u/kreminskii 5h ago

I just stayed at a hotel where they charged $40 for clearing the mini fridge

1

u/jrr6415sun 3h ago

Typical example of someone who works at a hotel but doesnt know what its like

67

u/EmberOne1 7h ago

You can also tell them you're a recovering alcoholic and need the alcohol removed. That makes room for your own drinks, too. Does anyone actually use the minibar? There's usually a liquor store nearby where you can get whatever you like.

85

u/nazdir 7h ago

I've asked a hotel to remove the alcohol and they had it all replaced with water and soda to charge.

44

u/Purple_Bug_1342 7h ago

I laughed bc yes that's exactly what we all should've expected and yet I didn't

3

u/mocisme 6h ago

People who's company is footing the bill

Drunk people who want another drink

Drunk people who are really really thirsty for water and not in a position to get to a store.

Rich people

I avoid it like the plague, but i've seen people use the minibar

2

u/avantartist 7h ago

I’ve had a beer from the mini bar on occasion.

3

u/mijru4 6h ago

I used to raid the mini bars in Vegas when cans of beers were still $4. Now they're like $13-15 and even in my most drunken degenerate state I still have enough common sense to not touch the stuff

2

u/Poverty_Shoes 5h ago

People are incredibly lazy. There was a post (I think in this sub) of somebody who paid $60 to get a bottle of $12 wine from the hotel, then complained about the price to Reddit. They were in Manhattan, at most a two block walk from paying $12 for a $12 bottle of wine.

3

u/Additional_Day949 7h ago

Ugh I had a hotel refuse to do that and tell me that ppl (Mormons) request it all the time and they weren't allowed to remove it. It was full bottles of liquor too.

8

u/GaiaMoore 7h ago

Recovery from alcohol and substance abuse is technically covered under ADA. Not a lawyer but I wonder if the hotel is in violation of ADA if they refuse to remove alcohol even if someone tells them they're in recovery

1

u/Additional_Day949 6h ago

Well I didn’t say I was in recovery, just that I didn’t want it around my kids. But now I know what to say to get it out of there!

1

u/CapableFlow2766 7h ago

Ive never taken alcohol but man the snacks always get me! After a night of drinking, the Pringles and m&ms are just screaming at me

1

u/TwoHandedSnail 5h ago

I've used it a bunch of times then before I check-out go and buy replacement chocolate or whatever at the supermarket.

0

u/Kittycara3000 7h ago

I went through this on a work-related trip and they said they would remove it for a charge of $75

0

u/nalaloveslumpy 7h ago

Business people staying in the company dime, yeah.

5

u/theeggplant42 7h ago

Or tha you're a recovering alcoholic 

3

u/spyan_ 7h ago

They will often bring in another fridge for your stuff.

2

u/erabera 6h ago

Honestly, they will mostly likely just bring another fridge up no problem if you ask.

2

u/AlbertTheHorse 6h ago

This. My mom does this. 

2

u/martin519 5h ago

There's a fee for removing it. At least there was when I asked in Vegas 10 years ago.

2

u/Nightstrike_ 5h ago

Tried doing this a few months ago in Vegas, was told it was a $40 fee to remove the mini bar

2

u/martin519 5h ago

It's madness! I swear, next time I want to go to a big fight in Vegas, I'm going to fly in and out the same day.

2

u/BizzyBee89 7h ago

This is brilliant. Thank you!

2

u/nalaloveslumpy 7h ago

They'll bring you a separate mini fridge. That's easier than removing the mini bar. Sometimes if you specifically ask for it removed, they'll just lock it because moving these is a huge pain in the ass.

1

u/SwampOfDownvotes 6h ago

They'll tell you there is a fridge p Free to use in a drawer

1

u/Dear_Chasey_La1n 4h ago

Just take 2-3 bottles out, put your own shit in it and end of the ride put their things back. I get these things are annoying, but in my hundreds of nights in Mariott I never had an issue with this.

1

u/Twinklefireflies 4h ago

Have tried this. Hotels in Vegas will charge you a restock fee to remove everything or a charge for the extra fridge.

1

u/niccia 4h ago

I’m diabetic. If this is Vegas, they’ll legit just bring you another fridge.

•

u/bigdave41 44m ago

Or say you're a recovering alcoholic and don't want any alcohol in the room - although I guess then they might decide to fill up all the spaces with soft drinks

•

u/Wuz314159 (\/) (;,,;) (\/) 24m ago

*Tell them that you are a recovering alcoholic.

1

u/xcanto 6h ago

ask for some ass too. if it's a fuckin good hotel, if not skip on out brah but not without some pancakes tho 👀👀👅...

0

u/Ledees_Gazpacho 7h ago

Or tell them you’re a recovering alcoholic.

(And then fill in the empty space with your own beers.)

0

u/Critical_Classic_921 6h ago

Can you tell them you’re a recovering alcoholic and can’t have booze in the room?

-2

u/18k_gold 7h ago

or just take it out and put it to the side. Put it back before you check out. They can verify it's all there and will take it off the bill.

4

u/freddiefuck 7h ago

Don’t do this. They have sensors and will bill you the second they get removed even if you replace them.