If you’re planning a vacation at a resort, you may have come across the term “resort fees.” These fees are often added to your bill at the end of your stay, and they can range from a few dollars to over $50 per night.
But what exactly are resort fees, and can you refuse to pay them? Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Resort Fees?
Resort fees are additional charges that hotels and resorts add to your bill for services or amenities that are not included in the room rate. These fees may cover things like:
- Wi-Fi access
- Parking
- Pool access
- Gym or fitness center access
- Newspapers or magazines
- Towels for the pool or beach
- Coffee or tea in the lobby
Can You Refuse to Pay Resort Fees?
In short, no. Resort fees are typically mandatory, which means that you cannot opt out of them even if you don’t use any of the services they cover. In most cases, these fees are disclosed at the time of booking, so it’s important to read the fine print before you make your reservation.
While it may be frustrating to be charged extra for amenities that you may not use, it’s worth noting that many hotels and resorts have started bundling these fees into their room rates. This means that instead of seeing a separate charge for resort fees on your bill, you’ll see a higher nightly rate that includes those fees.
What Can You Do About Resort Fees?
If you’re unhappy about being charged resort fees, there are a few things you can do:
- Call ahead: Before you book your reservation, call the hotel or resort and ask about their resort fees. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect and won’t be caught off guard when you see the charges on your bill.
- Negotiate: If you’re a frequent guest at a particular hotel or resort, you may be able to negotiate a lower rate or have the resort fees waived altogether.
It never hurts to ask!
- Choose a different hotel: If you’re not happy with the resort fees at a particular property, consider staying somewhere else. There are plenty of hotels and resorts that don’t charge these fees.
The Bottom Line
While it may be frustrating to pay extra for amenities that you may not use, resort fees are typically mandatory and cannot be refused. However, by doing your research ahead of time and being proactive about negotiating or choosing a different property, you can minimize the impact of these fees on your vacation budget.