8 outrageous minibar rip-offs

Everyone knows that hotel minibar items, like airport food and beers at sports games, are ridiculously overpriced. Guests cough up $5 for a bag of chips without blinking an eye. But some hotels take the minibar overcharge to the point of extortion. Last year, we showed you four outrageously overpriced minibar items we'd encountered on our travels, and this year, we decided to add a few more offenders to the list. Below, see the original four -- which we confirmed are as ridiculously overpriced as ever -- as well as four more new eye-popping finds.

$12 toothpaste kit, St. Giles New York -- The Tuscany, New York City: The toothbrush is one of items travelers forget most frequently, and the St. Giles is taking full advantage of that fact. We think charging $12 just to brush your teeth is a bit much -- especially since many hotels will provide toothbrushes and toothpaste to forgetful travelers, free.

$14 gummi bears, Omni Berkshire Place, New York City: You don't have to be a math whiz to tell that this doesn't quite add up. What does that work out to -- a dollar a bear?

$16 enriched oxygen, W South Beach, Miami: We're going to give the W South Beach a free pass on this one -- if you're willing to buy air for $16, it's not really the hotel's fault.

$10.00 bottle of water, Mansfield Hotel, New York City: Good thing the tap water in New York City is potable.

$150 candle, Gramercy Park Hotel, New York City: We like candles and everything, but we don't think shelling out $150 to set the mood is really necessary. If your significant other doesn't already appreciate you shelling out hundreds of dollars for the swank hotel room, she can get her own candle.

$195 sensuality kit, Gild Hall, New York City: A sensuality kit sounds enticing -- especially since the minibar menu doesn't tell you what's in it. The contents must be pretty kinky to cost $200 -- right? Wrong. It's just lube, condoms, silk wrist ties, and a mini vibe -- a little bit anticlimactic. You think they could have at least tossed an adult DVD into the mix.

$8 condom, Gild Hall, New York City: In case the sensuality kit is too rich for you blood, Gild Hall thoughtfully provides an $8 Proper Attire condom. It's an 800% markup, but hey -- the wrapper is designed by Alexander Wang. We're sure you'll really appreciate that when you're ripping it open. Plus, the proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood. We've never had philanthropic sex before, but we're betting it makes you feel pretty good afterward.

$18 Feed Your Soul cookies, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas: We love cookies as much as the next person, but $18 seems a tad steep. And the other munchies options aren't much cheaper -- tins of pistachios and mixed nuts are each $14.


What are the worst minibar rip-offs you've encountered? Let us know in the comments section.