Hotel Laundry Charges Add Up Fast

Hotel laundry services often charge per item, and a few shirts and a pair of trousers can quickly turn into a bill that rivals the cost of an extra night. Check if there’s a laundromat nearby before you hand your clothes over to the hotel, since the savings are usually significant for anything more than a single item.

Mini Bars Are Rarely Worth Opening

Mini bars are one of the oldest tricks in the hotel playbook. Prices are often marked up to exorbitant levels for the exact same snacks and drinks you can grab at a nearby convenience store for a fraction of the cost. Unless you’re desperate at 2am, it’s almost always cheaper to stock up before you get back to your room.

Buffet Breakfast Isn’t Always the Deal It Looks Like

A hotel buffet breakfast can look like great value, especially with the spread on offer, but the price tag can be hefty if it’s not already included in your room rate. If you’re not planning on eating a large amount, a local cafe is often cheaper and gives you a better sense of the area you’re staying in.

Check the Real Cost Before You Assume It’s Included

The common thread across all three of these is assumption. Hotels rely on guests assuming convenience equals fair pricing, when it often doesn’t. A quick check of the price list or a short walk to compare local options can save a surprising amount over the course of a stay.

Have you been ripped off by any of these? Comment below and follow 5 Star Trip for part 3. And if you haven’t seen it already, check out Part 1 here to make sure you stretch your travel budget further!