Vicky

It seems like all the resorts in Scottsdale have this and I too find it irritating - I'll book a room for what I think is a good price and then when you complete the booking you get the total and find out about the resort fees, taxes etc.

caribtraveler

DebitNM: Ugh! I will NEVER go to that Westin again. Funny thing is that a year or so later we went to the Westin on St. John. I called them before booking to find out if they charged for beach chairs. I would have not stayed there if they did, just on principle.

Dreamer2

That's it, Carson. Why do upscale resorts charge for internet, beach chairs, gym use, parking, when the very nice 3* places don't have to? You are already paying an exorbitant amoumt; I absolutely hate the nickel and diming, and think it turns an upscale place cheap.

shandy

I have just across this thread and am curious as I am thinking of holidaying in the States next year.

I have never heard of resort fees (its something don't have in Australia) and would like to know what style of property charges them. It is only big fancy resort or upscale hotels which have a pool. What makes one place a resort and the next not? When I start researching for hotels next year howe will I know if a property has a resort fee?

By the way I agree with all the posters it seems to be a very invidious practice - just up the nightly rate so you know the true cost.

JJ5

I do not use lodgings that have these kinds of fees added. And I will not pay for a gym fee, unless I use the gym.

Lori

Shandy, it is mostly the more "upscale" hotels that charge resort fees in the U.S. If there is any way you can call or e-mail the hotels you might want to consider staying at and asking about these fees try and do it. I'm not sure how the "toll free" system works in Australia but most large chain hotels should have one I'd think.

Another thing to be aware of is extra charges for parking. The same darn parking lot that was always free at many places is now $10 or more a night. Frankly I think it is crazy and we avoid these places. Again, you must ask ahead of time to avoid a rude shock when you see the bill.

All of these "fees" are just ways to make extra money and I really think most people resent it (at least the people I know do).

Lori

One more thing, Shandy, "motels" such as Holiday Inn Express, La Quinta, Hampton Inn, Quality Inn, Comfort Inn, etc. won't charge resort fees and most of them have pools. It's not the pool that makes a place a "resort". Incidentally, these are all very decent chain hotels. If you are considering Las Vegas none of the hotels charge resort fees to my knowledge (and I go about 4 times a year). Gyms and spas are extra IF you use them (I don't). Parking is FREE at all the hotels, there are self-park garages or you can Valet Parking (then you tip the attendant).

GoTravel

Parking and beach chair fees are usually passed on to the consumer when the hotel is charged.

Example; the different beach services in Miami Beach charge guests for the chairs. Some hotels contract to the beach services to provide this service and therefore they have to pay.

Same with most inner city parking.

mtypist

Was just reading your feedback on hidden resort fees. Last summer we went to Atlantic City and stayed at one of Donald Trump's hotels. Would you believe when we checked out, there was a fee for having a telephone in the room, which we did not even touch. We were never told ahead of time about this fee. I wonder what they would have done if I had said beforehand, "no, don't need the phone. You can remove it". This is another example of how the rich get richer and sock it to the "little guy".

emd

A phone in the rm.? You've got to be kidding. What did they say when you protested the charge and not being told about it head of time? Someone should slap Donald w/a lawsuit just like Starwood and Hilton got.

FainaAgain

Mtypist, I had the same in a different hotel. In a hurry, I didn't dispute with the check-out clerk, just got the detailed spreadsheet from him.

From home, I e-mailed the hotel, telling them we were there 4 nights, used the phone for 1 or 2 local calls one day only.

To my surprise, they've refunded ALL phone charges! Do wonder where? The budget Sahara in Vegas! Sure I'll stay there again

joecool

This is as crazy as the $50.00 per head to cruise into Alaska. They don't charge this if you drive or fly in.
This charging thing is getting out of hand

trippinkpj

I've seen the phone charge, but it's been disclosed up front in my experience.

Dianemiller

My husband and I recently invited friends to our pre-paid vacation club, this time we chose "Cabo", we loved everything, other than these outrageous charges, $9 for a bottle of water, is not acceptable. I am politely not using the name of our hotel, in hopes I will experience a more enjoyable vacation next time, such as the time we purchased the package.

labella

i agree, i think it is terrible. but you are going to find that the more expensive hotels are doing it almost every place. for myself it is an insult. i have home at beach with sauna, pool, jaczuzzi etc which i never use and i find it terrible to pay a resort fee. especially when i travel alone and i never use their facilities. so then they try and put on a resort fee for 2 people and you are treated like you are penny pinching person when you object. anything they can do to get your dollar and especially when they do not even tell you when you make the reservation.

LoveItaly

Just a thought, the Kimpton Hotels sends one an email verifying the reservation, the room rate per night and the TOTAL BILL which includes all taxes and services. So unless one has extra charges, LD phone calls etc., their restaurant and bar bills put on your room etc. you know exactly what your room is going to cost up front.

LoveItaly

Note: I realize the Kimpton Hotels are not resorts but I would want in writing (email) what the total charges are for a resort room including all taxes and "extra" costs. If a resort was not willing to do that I would not reserve a room with them. Just my two cents worth.

artlover

Diane,
I wish you would disclose the name of the hotel. Any place that charges $9 for a bottle of water is a place I want to know about so that I can AVOID it! And I think others in this forum would probably feel the same way.

Just a thought...

ribbaz

We too have stayed at the Sahara in Vegas and told at check-in that there is a phone charge per day as well as a surcharge for energy; this was hardly the time to seek another hotel so they had us. However, at check out I demanded that they remove these charges too no avail. Sooooooo I wrote a complaint to the Vegas BBB and the FTC via the internet and the hotel begrudingly relinquished these charges. We won't go back.

P.S. the energy charges haven't gone away even though the cost of energy has gone down drastically.

One more caveat - the Flamingo on the Strip charges $3 bucks a day if you use their in-room safe (it's rigged to a sensor). Dumbfounded I ask the bell hop why?; he said they have been doing it for years and if you don't want the room there are twenty people right behind you that do! We won't go back there either. Pretty soon we'll need to buy an RV.

"Caveat Emptor"!

offlady

We paid $30 per person resort fee on Lanai--kids and all. Ouch!