Drinks Can Be Expensive!!

I am a beer man myself and enjoy a frosty beverage while checking my emails and winding down for the day in my hotel room.  However, this can turn into a huge expense, here are a few suggestions to save some money when you want a night cap or just want to unwind at the end of the day.

The first instinct of most people is to hit the bar in the lobby and bring the drink back to the room.  Most drinks in hotel bars are quite pricey, especially if you decide to get a mixed drink.  For instance, I was in a hotel last week in a major city.  The beer from the hotel bar was $7.50 a piece and a single shot for a "well" mixed drink was $9.75.  If I were to have two beers, I would have spent $15, plus tip in the hotel, outrageous!

Instead, stop at a gas station or grocery store on the way to the hotel and buy a six pack.  Most hotel rooms have a small refrigerator to keep your beverages cold, so take advantage and use it.  If you buy a six pack of premium beer, generally you will spend somewhere between $10-$12, and you have six beers.  This is a lot cheaper than the $15 plus tip I had to pay for two beers in the hotel bar.

Do not feel obligated to drink all six, you can always leave a nice surprise for the cleaning crew.

Another option, if you are not flying, is to simply bring your own.  You can always pack a small cooler and take some from home, just make sure you check local laws in regards to traveling with loose alcoholic beverages in a cooler in the car.

So, to sum it up, don't spend large amounts of money in the hotel bar, stop and buy some from a store, or bring some from home.