Hotel Resort Fees are a Ripoff!
Another great Hotel rip off is the “resort fee” Hotels use this add on fee so they can offer a lower room rate and hit you with these additional charges. I have been told the fee is for the gym or pools or the great amenities you get like a .35 newspaper or free local calls or the pool. These fees can go from $8.00 to as high as $30.00 a night. These fees for the most part are not optional. When you pay $300.00 for a hotel room you dont expect extra charges for the “resort” What is the $300.00 for? These fees will continue unless customers complain and state laws are changed. If the hotel tells you the room is $150.00 a night that should be the charges all inclusive plus the local room tax. Sometimes if they tell you the fees are for local phone calls and newspapers, you can have these removed and use your cell phone for calls.
UPDATE***These fees continue, however I think it will be a matter of time when the hotel will have to raise their prices to include these costs rather than break them out. If the cost is mandatory how in the world can they quote you a room rate with this charge listed additionally on the bill. I know hotels get a ton of complaints about these fees as they always mention thast you (the customer) was told about these fees prior to booking. They also have you sign a statement on the bill showing the additional “resort fee”. I would love some of the hotel big shots to explain this to me. I would love to hear the rationale.
September 6, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Resort fees are the biggest rip off. I’m just now entering into a dialogue with a resort outside Santa Fe New Mexico to debate this big time. First, it’s false advertising. They advertise a room rate of $219 but I can’t get a room for that rate. Second, does anyone know if they collect sales tax on the Resort Fee? If not, they’re cheating the state and feds out of tax money. Third, the resort fee is for using the resort, not just the room. If it applies to the room, then it’s a room fee. I think I hear a class action calling our names – “Hey Consumer.”
September 6, 2007 at 11:22 pm
I always suggest complaints to management of the hotel when it comes to these things. They probably will shrug their shoulders however people need to complain about this stuf.