Are you planning a vacation and looking for a hotel that fits your budget? Don’t forget to factor in hotel resort fees when comparing prices. These fees are becoming increasingly common, and they can add up quickly.
What are hotel resort fees?
Hotel resort fees are additional charges that hotels add to your bill on top of the advertised room rate. These fees cover amenities such as pool access, gym use, Wi-Fi access, and other services that hotels typically offer free of charge.
Why do hotels charge resort fees?
Hotels claim that resort fees help cover the cost of providing these amenities. However, many travelers argue that this is a sneaky way for hotels to increase their revenue without raising their room rates.
Do you have to pay resort fees?
Unfortunately, yes. Most hotels require guests to pay these mandatory fees, regardless of whether they use the amenities or not. Some hotels may allow guests to opt-out of certain services included in the resort fee, but this is rare.
How much are hotel resort fees?
The cost of hotel resort fees varies depending on the hotel and its location. In some cases, these fees can be as low as $10 per night, while others can be as high as $50 or more per night. It’s important to read the fine print carefully when booking a hotel to ensure you know exactly what you’re paying for.
How can I avoid paying hotel resort fees?
One way to avoid paying these extra charges is by booking your stay at a hotel that doesn’t charge them. However, this can be challenging since more and more hotels are adopting this practice.
Another option is to book through third-party travel sites such as Expedia or Priceline. These sites may offer lower rates than booking directly with the hotel and sometimes include waived or reduced resort fees as part of their package deals.
What should I do if I’m charged a resort fee that I wasn’t aware of?
If you were not informed of the resort fee at the time of booking, you can try to dispute the charge with the hotel. However, this may not always be successful. In some cases, hotels may argue that they disclosed the fee somewhere in the fine print or on their website.
The Bottom Line
While hotel resort fees may seem like an annoying extra expense, they are becoming increasingly common in the travel industry. It’s essential to factor these fees into your budget when planning a vacation and to read the fine print carefully when booking a hotel to avoid any surprises.