Hotel charges "Resort Fee"

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecondCor521 If you are unable to use any of the amenities and complain to staff at the time, they have the ability to credit you back the resort fee. IIRC I did this once in Las Vegas when the cable TV went out for a bit. That's my recollection anyway - not sure why cable TV would be part of the resort fee and not the basic room rate. Maybe I was just annoyed at the cable TV being out and the resort fee being charged and they tried to make me happy.

Could it have been the internet? Insanely slow internet is included in the resort fee IIRC

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dtail Agree it is normal and am sure we will experience it in Vegas next month.

Oh yes you will, MGM $40 plus taxes per night

[dmpi]

For Reno or Vegas even if you get 'comped' rooms you might still have to pay the resort fee. There are two tiers depending on how much you play. For me I still pay the resort fee but one of my high-roller friends got us a room and everything was paid for. Nice.

[RobbieB]

I just checked, just to make sure...We've stayed there before...Don't remember a fee

Circus-Circus Reno, rooms for $39.95!

So I checked and I was amazed...$100/day resort fee. Gobstruck! How does the fee exceed the room?

Gonna buy a boat.

[flyingaway]

I have seen a few non Las Vegas casinos start charging resort fees. The Cherokee casino in the Great Smoky Mountains just started in last October. So the comped room is no longer free.

[Bamaman]

The Resort Fee on rooms is like a Documentary Fee when you buy a car.

It's just 100% profit. Car dealerships are beating their salesmen out of part of their commission by not paying them any of the Doc Fee.

[rk911]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormy Kromer I just spent 3 nights in a nice hotel. I don't get around much. When I go somewhere I usually pack a tent. Anyways, I booked a nice hotel for DW and I and when I got to the check in there was a 10% "Resort Fee" added on top of the room rate. At first I thought it was sales and local taxes, which seemed about right. But no, this 10% "Resort Fee" was on top of all that, plus, there was sales tax on top of the Resort Fee. When I looked at the bill it explained that the "Resort Fee" was for access go guest amenities such as the pool, games and complimentary coffee in the lobby. Never seen this before. I don't blame a business for charging what it needs to provide a service, but please, just include it in your base price. It reminds me of the time I was at a bar and the bar charged an extra $.50 for ice....just bill me for the final product. Rant over.

how is the coffee 'complimentary' if the guests are charged for it? non-coffee drinkers are sunsidizing those who do indulge. we don't do hotels, either. we usually pack an RV.

[travelover]

AirBnBs have some similarly ridiculous add on fees. For a condo in Hawaii we were charged over $300 for a "cleaning" fee. Seriously, it costs $300 to clean a condo? They don't pay house cleaners $100 an hour and it doesn't take 3 hours to change the sheets and vacuum. And, cleaning between guests is not part of the "rent" anyway?

Then, AirBnB has their service charge and the local government has to grab off some additional cash. Geesh.

[SecondCor521]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetiredAndLovingIt Could it have been the internet? Insanely slow internet is included in the resort fee IIRC

Ah, that could be. That would make more sense, and it would be something that would have annoyed me, and I travel with my laptop. Thanks!

[Chuckanut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelover AirBnBs have some similarly ridiculous add on fees. For a condo in Hawaii we were charged over $300 for a "cleaning" fee. Seriously, it costs $300 to clean a condo? They don't pay house cleaners $100 an hour and it doesn't take 3 hours to change the sheets and vacuum. And, cleaning between guests is not part of the "rent" anyway? Then, AirBnB has their service charge and the local government has to take grab off some additional cash. Geesh.

Renting a private room or residence started out as a cheaper way to get a room in high cost areas. Rent a nice bedroom with a bath, or a small studio apartment for less than the price of normal hotel room. Today, I have found that ordinary hotel rooms that include breakfast are often cheaper than the many AirBnB prices when all the extra charges are added in.

[Closet_Gamer]

Should be illegal. Any non-optional fee that goes directly to the company is also known as "the price".

[Koolau]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Closet_Gamer Should be illegal. Any non-optional fee that goes directly to the company is also known as "the price".

I agree. Even the added taxes should at least be clearly shown upon booking. The "tourist" taxes here in the Islands are insane and keep going up. Sooner or later, we'll have (another) down turn and the hotels will sit empty - again. I will have very little sympathy (except for the w*rking stiffs who will be out of a j*b.)YMMV

[Montecfo]

I do recall getting one waived at a Doubletree in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This was not in a beach type location. But they said it was for the pool and towels or somesuch. I told them I did not want to pay the fee as we were not using those facilities and they waived the fee.

Which is logical that they would. Had they not I would have really had a problem.

I think it was $20 or $25 a night.

I really try to avoid places that do this as if seems dishonest.

[Badger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormy Kromer When I go somewhere I usually pack a tent.

I did for decades. Even if flying somewhere to vacation we brought our tent, sleeping bags, and pads then rented a car to drive around that part of the country. For the early years I had a VW bus that I converted for travel. For safety and to save money I parked at Holiday Inn or Howard Johnsons and used their pool if not at a National or State Park. A couple of times when between destinations a no HI or HJ I would wait until the local VW dealer closed and park among the used cars. I thought that would be a safe place.

These days a restored air-cooled VW bus is almost as much as a Mercedes Sprinter RV. If I find a reasonably priced Sprinter in excellent condition it may only take 600 days of use to break even or maybe just half that time if I sell it later. Do some Walmarts still allow overnight parking?



Cheers!

[Masquernom]

Local town has added a hotel tax now on top of the sales tax. Easy way to make money from folks passing through town. City gets extra cash, residents aren't hit with another tax.

[WestUniversity]

Agreed! Why don’t they call it what it really is…. revenue enhancement!

[sengsational]

"But honey, the room rate is only $100" might smooth over a disagreement, even though the 3 night total is $500

[conversationalphrase]

FYI, many hotel chains don't charge the resort fee to higher tier loyalty club members.

[Chuckanut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montecfo I think it was $20 or $25 a night. I really try to avoid places that do this as if seems dishonest.

It does make me wonder about the ethics of those companies that do these things. It also makes me renew my subscription to Consumer Reports each year. As long as this type of thinking is considered OK by many in business we need to stay informed.

[ShokWaveRider]

We are very careful about these fees when we book anything and avoid where possible. We certainly do not get surprised as I call if it is not clear when booking. We have managed to avoid any fees that are not included with a "Package".

It is a shame, and as usual the buyer has to be savvy. Not all are, I think that is what they bank on. So yes, I think it is dishonest and underhanded. Welcome to the 202x's, as more and more folks just accept it, it will not change.