Fridges in Rooms?

You haven't told us what hotels you are talking about. You might try checking the Trip Advisor forums for reviews to see if they are mentioned.

This is a "some do, some don't" thing. I'd contact the hotel directly. If they don't have a fridge they might provide a mini-bar, and that might have a little extra space. But I would ask directly!

Our experience is that, "Some do, most do not." You may have to step up a five star or one of the American style hotels. Most of Europe, especially at the hotel level, is very energy conscious so having an inefficient,mini refig running is not high on their lists of things to provide.

If it's not listed in the website for amenities, it won't be there. It's considered a pretty fancy extra and any place that have them would certainly promote it.

A lot of 4-star hotels have mini-bar fridges. I usually just move all of that merchandise to one side and squeeze in a few things I purchase at the grocery store.

Well guess I am lucky then cause I almost ALWAYS get hotels with mini fridgesa in Europe and I have yet to stay in a 4 star!! Cindi, name the hotels.

Hi, Our Hotels are all in Italy and are as follows: Florence- Albani, Lake Maggiore,Stresa- Grand Hotel Bristol at Stresa, Rome-Starhotels Metropole, Sorrento- Hilton Sorrento Palace, Venice- Bonvecchiati. Also, if anyone has any firsthand knowledge of any of these hotels, I'd appreciate your feedback. You can never really go by the pictures and can only hope you're reading true reviews. It's important to us. I'm ill and this may be our last trip. Thanks a mil,
Cindikate

From the hotel's official websites: Albani Florence-Minibar Starhotels Metropole Rome-Minibar Hilton Sorrento Palace- no Bonvecchiati-Minibar

Thanks Michael!

Whether here or overseas, the minibars usually do not have anything in them that must be refrigerated. We take the stuff out of them and put it in an obvious place so that the cleaning staff doesn't think we've used it without marking the list. Then we put our stuff in. Sometimes we have to remove a shelf for a large bottle of water. On our trip this spring, we had 2 different rooms with minibars. One worked moderately well. The other didn't work at all. It never got cold. I trust the ones in the nice places you are staying will function correctly.

The Hilton Sorrento Palace has mini bars in rooms. You should check with the hotel whether your room has one.

I stayed at the Grand Hotel Bristol in Stresa w/ a RS tour. Lovely hotel with a balcony overlooking the lake. Sorry, I can't remember if there was a fridge. One thing I do remember is the mosquitos (late June) were so thick, I couldn't use the balcony. Mind you, I am the human no pest strip! I can be in a group of 30 people and be the only one bitten! (That's why I get invited to parties!) This was the only place where that was a problem for me, so you might bring some repellent if you are traveling this time of year. I'm not a big shopper, but found Stresa the best place on the whole trip to get a few last minute items (pottery, etc.) before heading home. Have a great trip!

Thanks for the advice/input!! : D Especially the info about the mosquitos. I hadn't even thought about that! Now we'll be covered. So, you're going with us, right? LOL Nice to have some input about the hotels!!

Re emptying the mini bar (which I always do) to keep cool yogurt, fruit, WINE, etc. Take a picture with your phone (or whatever) before emptying and then a picture of all the stuff piled on top of the minibar which also shows the open minibar and the yogurt etc. Some mini bars are electronically monitored so when you empty the mini bar it appears you are having one hell of a party! These pictures are self explanatory and you'll get no grief upon check out.

Good idea, Thanks!