Is a Resort Fee Mandatory?

By Anna Duncan

As a frequent traveler, you may have come across the term “resort fee” while booking your hotel or resort stay. These fees can be a source of confusion and frustration for many travelers. In this article, we will discuss what a resort fee is, whether it is mandatory, and how to avoid it.

What Is A Resort Fee?

A resort fee is an additional charge that hotels and resorts add to your bill on top of the room rate. It covers amenities and services that are not included in the room rate. Some of the most common amenities covered by a resort fee include:

  • Pool access
  • Fitness center
  • Internet access
  • Parking
  • Newspapers

Is A Resort Fee Mandatory?

The short answer is yes; a resort fee is mandatory if it is disclosed at the time of booking. However, some hotels and resorts may not disclose the resort fee upfront, leading to confusion among travelers.

In recent years, there have been several lawsuits filed against hotels and resorts for not disclosing their resort fees upfront. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also taken action against some hotels that fail to disclose these fees.

It is important to note that some states in the US like Hawaii have made it mandatory for hotels to include all mandatory charges in their advertised room rates.

How To Avoid Paying A Resort Fee?

If you don’t want to pay a resort fee, there are a few ways to avoid it:

  • Look for hotels and resorts that don’t charge a resort fee.
  • Book directly with the hotel or resort instead of using third-party booking sites.
  • Negotiate with the hotel or resort to waive the resort fee.
  • Join loyalty programs that offer perks like waived resort fees.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a resort fee is an additional charge that hotels and resorts add to your bill on top of the room rate.

While these fees are mandatory if disclosed upfront, there are ways to avoid paying them. It’s always important to read the fine print when booking a hotel or resort stay to avoid any surprises on your bill.