Minibar pricing is almost always dramatically higher than retail — a bottle of water or a small bag of chips can cost 3 to 10 times what the same item costs at a nearby convenience store, and some minibars use weight-sensor technology that automatically charges you the moment an item is moved, even briefly.
Beyond the minibar, other easy-to-miss in-room charges include premium Wi-Fi upgrades, on-demand movies, bathrobe or slipper "usage" fees at some resorts, and automatic room service delivery charges that aren't always clearly stated on the menu.
The safest approach is simply not touching anything in the minibar unless you've already checked pricing, and reviewing your final folio (itemized bill) before checkout rather than after you've left — most hotels can correct an accidental charge on the spot, but it's harder to dispute after you've checked out.
