GoTravel

I've gotten them waived before.

All you need to do is state your case. If you haven't used any of the amenities included in the resort fee like the gym, free phone calls, etc, they'll usually waive the fee.

If you are trying to get them to waive the fee just because you don't want to pay, forget it. A front desk clerk can smell that a mile away.

On the other hand, if you did not know ahead of time about the resort fee, you should also be able to get them waived.

No_name

I have had them waived too. I usually call and speak directly with the GM or AGM or sometimes the rooms division manager. In almost all the cases the main point was I didn't have a car so I didn't need to use parking. In one case the gym was a joke (broken equipment) and I was unable to use it.

nina

It's funny because when I told the woman I thought the resort fee of $58/night was outrageous, she sounded so excited and said "but you get SO much for that, you get parking, the use of the shuttle, newspaper, the gym". I stated that no one was going to use both parking AND the shuttle, that my kids wouldn't use the gym, and then asked since all 4 of us were paying the fee, would we get 4 newspapers? She didn't think that was funny.

emd

There was also a clas action against Starwood on resort fees (being added on the bill without informing the person ahead of time before they got to check-in). I was part of the calss as I had stayed at the Swan and Dolphin hotels at Disneyworld during the class period. Retribution was meager, reduced fees (like $10 a night) at a very few selected Starwood resorts for a few nights for one year. The lawyers got all the $$$ in their fees.

nina

I remember that EMD, I also stayed at the Swan during that time and remember getting a pittance of a discount that I never used, but I was still glad it resulted in them waiving those fees.

I wonder if they snuck the fees back in though? Maybe they get around it now by making sure they make guests aware of it before booking?

emd

Yes, I think that was the case. They still charge the fes, but have to tell you upfront when you book online or on the phone.

sistahlou

but what happens when you book thru a third party - expedia, travelocity etc....? You sow up and the bargain is no longer a bargain~

lvk

I think that these resort fees are a direct result of internet travel search engines. The hotels want their rates to appear low when you are shopping via Kayak, Sidestep, etc., so they keep the base rate low and then tack on all these resort, parking, fees, etc. In California, you also get an "energy surcharge", in addition to all the taxes, etc. Unlike taxes, which are a straight percentage of the rate, this surcharge is completely arbitrary and, like phone charges, are another profit center for the hotel.

Orbitz and a few others seem to have solved this problem with car rental fees. They disclose both the base rates and then what the total cost would be, adding all the taxes and fees. I would imagine that this would be harder to accurately do for hotels, as they probably change their resort fees and other surcharges regularly.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Here's another vote to include mandatory charges as part of the room rate. Hell, if you're going to add extra for every little thing, why not just claim a $20 room rate and jack it up to $200 with "surcharges"?

I don't think the solution is to not make reservations at these places. DO make reservations if then can be cancelled with no penalty, then write management about your displeasure with instructions to cancel the reservation if the surcharge is not waived.

This way the hotel can more plainly see this as a lost sale, and not just a complaint letter. Lost sales gets a lot more attention than what they'll just consider whining.

sistahlou

excellent idea and perspective!

SB_Travlr

Back when the notion of resort fees was pretty new, I was staying at the Disney World Swan for a 5-day conference.

There had been no mention of the fees in the conference information, nor when I checked in. When they whacked that charge on my bill at check out, I protested strongly, partly because my co. was picking up the tab, and I wasn't sure what their policy would be. Eventually, they agreed to waive the fees on the grounds that I had not been informed ahead of time...

travelinwifey

Does anyone remember a few years back in California when hotels (Hilton brand I beleive?) started adding on a $4 per day energy surcharge? Thankfully that didn't last too long.

I did have luck getting rid of the surcharge twice but that was years ago, once was for Hawaii and the fee was instituted after we made the reservation. We also mentioned that when we made the reservation there was no mention of a"resort fee". The manager wasn't happy but the fee was waived. A second time was when we didn't use anything included in the fee so again it was waived. Again, both years ago as we stay away from those hotels now.

However I have also heard stories where the hotel refuses to waive the fee.

GoTravel

lvk, the resort fees aren't in response to search engines wanting to charge lower hotel rates but in response to the consumer complaining about being nickel and dimed to death by hotels.

Six of one, half dozen of another. Either way the consumer pays.

j_999_9

A moderately entertaining resort-fee story:

When I inquired by phone about the rates at a resort in FL, I was given the daily rate "plus you get FREE newspaper, access to DVD library, use of bicycles and other recreation facilities."

Then the person informed me of the report fee, and when I asked what that covered, she of course said "the FREE newspaper, access to DVD ..." etc., etc.

artlover

Just a note--some II resorts charge what they call "an energy fee" but they tell you beforehand. We stayed at the Hyatt in Spain and they had one--something like $32 for the week and there's one for the resort we're staying at in Mallarca in April. But these fees have been disclosed upfront, so we know about it.

I think what people are objecting to here is actually getting to a place, checking in, and either not knowing about the charges until then, or, in some cases, until check out. That's just not acceptable, and yes, I'd rather the fee just be part of the room charge.

Being "nickle/dimed" certainly doesn't lend itself to an enjoyable, relaxing vacation, nor does having to argue about such fees when checking out.

rb's suggestion is very good if you're willing to put the extra time and energy into it.

I'm glad to hear there have been class action lawsuits about this, even if it is only the lawyers who benefit from them--at least they help curtain such unfair practices.

trippinkpj

Most hotels and resorts disclose these fees up front. If they don't disclose the fees, one could always dispute them with their credit card company.

caribtraveler

I think they're ridiculous but I don't remember ever not knowing about them.

What I will never get over is how the Westin in Maui will charge guests for using the beach chairs. That was maybe 6 years ago. Don't know if the practice still exists. I wrote to them to tell them how outrageous I thought that was. And nope we didn't use their chairs, we sat just fine on our towels on the beach.

DebitNM

"Westin in Maui will charge guests for using the beach chairs. That was maybe 6 years ago. Don't know if the practice still exists. I wrote to them to tell them how outrageous I thought that was."-- Yes, they still charge for the use of beach chairs and umbrellas despite paying a resort fee of $18.50 a room!! I got a good deal[even with the fee, but it still irked me to pay for the use of they "workout room" and internet access -- provided you had your own laptop of course]

We stayed one night at the Westin LaPaloma in Tucson this past summer. Again, a resort fee and we were there less than 12 hours! We arrived after 9 pm and checked out at 9am. I actually emailed a complaint to Westin Corporate and they forwarded my email to GM who credited our card for the fee and offered us a discount at the hotel on our next visit. {We won't be going back there anytime soon, so that was no big deal}. I was pleased to see that they actually took some action, but I am sure it was because it was only 1 day.

Debi

travelbug18

I've definitely been charged for beach chairs, umbrellas and beach towels before.

Definitely obnoxious.

Carson

I also find it insulting to be charged $14/day for internet access in a room that I am being charged $450/night for, e.g. Four Seasons Buenos Aires. Especially when I can go stay in a Marriott Courtyard anywhere in the U.S. and have free wireless.

I know that isn't the point, but I find charging for internet in the high end hotels an atrocious practice.