Vegas Tourist Claims Hotel Charged Her $224 For Unplugging Power Outlet: ‘Ain’t No Way’
Las Vegas, Nevada — A Bahamian tourist’s dream vacation to Las Vegas turned into a hotel horror story after she was slapped with a $224 charge — allegedly for unplugging a minibar tray so her son could charge his phone.
Sharina Butler, who stayed at the Paris Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, said she was stunned to learn she had been billed $56 per night for four nights simply for unplugging a power outlet connected to the minibar tray. The fee, she was later told, was part of the hotel’s policy to keep the tray plugged in at all times — a policy she claims was poorly communicated and unfair.
“The writing on the tray is this small,” Butler said in a viral TikTok video, holding her fingers together to show the tiny font. “Why am I reading a tray when I’m not touching the overpriced items?”
A Costly Lesson Hidden In Fine Print
According to Butler, her son unplugged the tray without realizing it was connected to a sensor-equipped minibar that tracks inventory electronically. When unplugged, the system automatically flags a service fee.
Butler said there was no clear signage warning guests that unplugging the outlet would result in a charge. “The tray was next to a chair that anyone would want to sit in. There was no note or sign on the outlet — just a small card next to the minibar that no one would notice,” she explained.
When she went to check out, a hotel employee presented her with a larger copy of the policy, which read: “Please refrain from unplugging the tray. If this occurs, a fee of $50 will be applied.” With taxes, her total reached $224.
“I said, ‘Ain’t no way. There is absolutely no way,’” Butler recounted. “I blocked my card because there’s no way you’re charging me $56 to use a socket.”
Viral Outrage And Mixed Reactions
Butler’s TikTok post quickly gained traction, amassing over 100,000 views and hundreds of comments from fellow travelers — many of whom said they’d had similar experiences at Las Vegas hotels.
“I literally just went through this at the Paris Hotel,” one commenter wrote. “They told me it would cost $50 to remove the tray from my room, so I argued until someone came to move it to the floor.”
Another added, “Tourism is dead in Vegas. They’re trying to get money any way they can. That’s so messed up.”
Some users defended the hotel, noting that the minibar trays are connected to automated billing sensors used across major resorts. “Most hotels have charging ports near the bed or desk. You’re not supposed to touch the minibar tray — it’s monitored,” one user wrote, claiming to work at the Bellagio Hotel.
@sharinabutler32 My extra expenses at my hotel #parishotellasvegas . Not worth the price
Growing Criticism Of Hidden Fees
The viral post adds to a growing backlash against “resort fees” and hidden charges in Las Vegas, where visitors increasingly complain about being nickel-and-dimed for basic amenities. From pool access to early check-in and now even unplugging electronics, tourists say the costs are spiraling out of control.
Hospitality experts say these policies are part of a broader effort by hotels to offset revenue losses after the pandemic, but they warn that customer trust is taking a major hit. “The problem isn’t just the fee — it’s the lack of transparency,” one travel analyst told Naperville Local. “When guests feel tricked, they’re far less likely to return.”
“I’m Not Paying For That”
Butler, who says she already paid for her stay in full, insists she will not pay the additional $224 and has disputed the charge with her bank. “It’s not about the money,” she said. “It’s about the principle. You can’t just charge people for something that’s not clearly stated.”
Her experience has since fueled online discussions about consumer rights in the hotel industry, with travelers calling for stronger disclosure rules and a crackdown on hidden fees.
For now, Butler hopes her viral story serves as a warning to others: “Read the fine print — even on the minibar.”
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