A tourist claims she was taken advantage of at a well-known Las Vegas hotel when she received a bill of $224 for utilizing a power outlet in her room.
Sharina Butler, visiting from the Bahamas, had booked a stay at the Paris Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip in August. During the trip, her son unplugged the minibar tray to charge his phone, completely overlooking a small card nearby that indicated a charge of $56 for each day the tray was unplugged.
“The print on that tray is so tiny,” Butler remarked in a video. “Why would I be reading about it when I’m not even touching it?”
When she checked out, Butler was informed by hotel staff about the unexpected $224 charge, which included taxes, for her four-night stay.
Confused and taken aback, she was shown a larger version of the notice that stated, “Please do not unplug the tray. A $50 fee will be applied if you do.”
Many travelers expressed disbelief that the tray was positioned near a chair, making it impractical for guests who wanted to sit down. They pointed out that there was no warning next to the outlet about potential charges for unplugging it.
Butler attempted to appeal to the staff but was met with a response that there was nothing they could do to waive the fees.
“That’s just not right. I wasn’t going to allow that,” she said firmly.
Ultimately, Butler decided not to pay the additional fee since she had already settled for the room.
Since posting her experience online, her video has gathered over 100,000 views, drawing comments from others who were equally baffled by similar situations.
One viewer shared, “I faced this in a hotel in Paris too. I was told it would cost $50 just to remove the trays, so they ended up on my floor while I needed to use my desk.”
Another user commented, “Las Vegas seems focused on squeezing money out of tourists these days, and it’s really disheartening.”
Yet, some defended the hotel, explaining that the trays might be connected to sensors that alert staff if items are removed. “Most hotels offer charging ports at the lamps by the beds. I work at the Bellagio, and it’s definitely in the room. Just don’t touch the tray that’s plugged in,” noted another commentator, emphasizing the importance of knowing hotel policies.
