Are Resort Fees Negotiable?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’ve ever stayed at a hotel or resort, you’re probably familiar with resort fees. These are additional charges that hotels add on top of your room rate for amenities such as Wi-Fi, pool access, and gym use. While some travelers may accept these fees as a necessary part of their stay, others may wonder if they can negotiate or avoid them altogether.

What are resort fees

Resort fees are a common practice among hotels and resorts. They’re intended to cover the cost of amenities that guests may use during their stay. These fees typically include things like pool access, fitness center use, and Wi-Fi.

While the idea behind resort fees is to provide guests with additional amenities during their stay, some travelers feel like they’re being nickel-and-dimed. After all, if you’re paying for a room at a hotel or resort, shouldn’t these amenities be included in the price

Can you negotiate resort fees

The short answer is no – resort fees are not negotiable. Unlike room rates, which can often be negotiated if you book directly with the hotel or through a travel agent, resort fees are set by the hotel and cannot be changed.

However, there are some ways that you can potentially avoid paying resort fees altogether. Some hotels will waive these fees for guests who have elite status with their loyalty program or who book directly with the hotel rather than through a third-party website.

Alternatively, you could try booking your stay at a hotel or resort that doesn’t charge resort fees in the first place. While these properties may be harder to find, they can save you quite a bit of money over the course of your stay.

Why do hotels charge resort fees

Hotels charge resort fees for a few different reasons. First and foremost, it allows them to advertise lower room rates while still generating revenue from additional charges. This can make their rooms appear more affordable to potential guests.

Additionally, resort fees allow hotels to generate revenue from guests who may not use all of the amenities included in the fee. For example, if a guest doesn’t use the fitness center or pool during their stay, the hotel still makes money from the resort fee.

Conclusion

While resort fees may seem like an unnecessary expense, they’re a common practice among hotels and resorts. Unfortunately, these fees are typically non-negotiable. However, there are some ways that you can potentially avoid paying them altogether.

Whether you choose to stay at a property that doesn’t charge resort fees or try to take advantage of loyalty program perks, it’s important to understand what resort fees are and why hotels charge them. By doing so, you can make informed decisions about where to stay and how much you’ll ultimately end up paying for your trip.