My dad used to insist this was true, to prevent us even looking in the minibar should we be lucky enough to stay in a hotel that had them. He reckoned that even lifting something out with set it off, and add the item to your bill.

For a long time I used to believe this, but now, I sort of doubt it, since most of them are just shitty mini-fridges, not Mission Impossible style safes. But, that raises the question, how does the hotel know what you've had from the minibar? Especially if I've paid up front, I can be out the room and give me keys into the desk in seconds, without ever letting on what I've taken - do they charge you retrospectively?

Has anyone ever taken anything from a hotel minibar?