Have you ever checked into a hotel and been caught off guard by a resort fee? Don’t worry, it’s happened to the best of us. And what is a resort fee? A hotel resort fee is an additional charge to cover the cost of various services and amenities that guests are entitled to during their stay. When booking a hotel, you should understand and budget for resort fees, so you won’t be surprised the next time you check-in. To help you navigate this, I've put together a breakdown of what they include and how to avoid them. With this information, you'll be able to make the most informed decision when booking your next weekend away.
What is a resort fee, anyway?
When booking a room, it's important to keep in mind that the price you see advertised may not tell the whole story – I had to learn this one the hard way! Increasingly hotels and resorts are charging a separate resort fee in addition to the room rate and taxes, which can be frustrating if not infuriating to the guest.
The intent behind the resort fee is to cover the cost of providing certain amenities to guests, such as the pool or fitness center, Wi-Fi, or transportation services. While these services certainly enhance the guest experience, it can sometimes feel like an unwelcome surprise when it's added to the bill. Nowadays, the average price of a resort fee is around $30, and it’s typically charged per night, not per stay – yikes!
Why do hotels charge a resort fee?
The hotel industry is a tough business. With the rise of Airbnb and other alternative accommodations, hotel and resort owners have told me they had no choice but to come up with different ways to remain competitive. This keeps the room rates appealing to potential guests, encouraging them to book without considering the final price once other fees are added.
I’ve definitely fallen for this game before. In a rush to book a last-minute accommodation on a trip, I simply looked at the room rate and didn’t think to look at the fine print of added fees and taxes. It stings. Although this is now mostly common practice, you can use KAYAK price dropdown menu to avoid any surprises.
What services and amenities do resort fees cover?
These fees go towards covering various services and amenities that are offered to enhance your hotel experience. This could include access to fitness centers, pools, and lounges, as well as free Wi-Fi and parking. In addition, these fees may also go towards providing complimentary breakfast, an airport shuttle service, and daily newspapers. Ever been impressed with the diverse range of services and amenities available at a hotel? This is what the resort fee is meant to cover.
What is not included in a resort fee?
However, you can’t assume that a resort fee is the only extra cash you might have to part with on top of your room rate. Additional services such as spa treatments, room service and other meals, or valet parking usually incur extra charges. It's best to check with your hotel or resort ahead of time to understand what is and isn't covered by the resort fee.
What is a destination fee & what is a destination amenity fee?
While resort fees have become common practice now, you might be confused by other terms that you see pop up as well. Resort fee, destination fee, and destination amenity fee are all used interchangeably by different hotels and resorts. Generally, resort fees are typically charged by resorts and destination fees or destination amenity fees are charged by hotels for the same thing; the variety of amenities and services on offer.
In rare circumstances, you might see a resort fee and a destination fee charged at the same accommodation. This is usually done by hotels and resorts located in popular tourist destinations, who are capitalizing not only on their amenities but also their specific location. It's important to look for the breakdown of fees carefully when booking to understand exactly what you're paying for and why.
What hotels have the worst resort fees?
Most of the big hotel chains now have some sort of resort fee. However, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts had one of the highest average fees relative to room rates, closely followed by Hyatt and IHG Hotels. Wyndham’s resort fees typically range from $30-50 per night, while Hyatt has an average fee of $50.
But it also depends heavily on location. Cities like Miami, Las Vegas, and New York typically boast the highest average fees, with some high-end resorts charging over $100 per night in resort fees in these cities.
Finding hotel chains without resort fees
It’s almost impossible to find any of the major hotel and resort chains not charging resort fees these days. However, the best way to sift through your options is to use a tool like KAYAK’s price dropdown menu. You can choose whether you want to display the nightly base price (default), base rate + local taxes and fees or total stay cost. This way you can see which hotels aren’t charging extra fees.
Otherwise, using travel reward programs or hotel loyalty programs is the best way to book a hotel without paying resort fees. For example, Hyatt waives resort fees when guests book with loyalty points, as does Hilton Honors. Check your favorite hotel’s loyalty program next time you want to avoid resort fees on your trip and you might find you can be rewarded with sticking to the same chain.
Other hidden fees travelers may encounter
Yes, there’s more. In fine print underneath the base room rate, you may see more than one cost tacked onto the end. While resort fees are commonplace, so are other taxes and fees for certain destinations and services. Tourist taxes, early check-in fees, additional guest fees, and strict cancellation fees are all extra costs you may encounter when checking into a hotel.
Tourist tax
A tourist tax is an extra fee charged at your accommodation that is typically imposed by the government. This type of tax can vary from country to country and even within different regions of a country. It is usually assessed as a percentage of the total bill or it can also be a set price per person.
Tourist taxes are becoming increasingly popular to combat over-tourism and its impacts. European countries have a strong tradition of implementing the tax, but it’s now being rolled out across Asian countries too. The funds collected from a tourist tax are often used to support local infrastructure and other services that directly benefit tourists, such as street cleaning and road maintenance.
It’s particularly common in places that see a high amount of visitors, such as Paris and Lyon in France and Rome and Venice in Italy. Otherwise, it can also apply across a whole country, such as in Switzerland and Greece.
Early check-in/late check-out fees
Many hotels will charge an extra fee if you want to check in early or check out late. Depending on how early or how late, you may even be required to book additional nights, which can add up quickly and increase the total cost of your stay.
Additional guest fees
If you booked for two people and decided to show up with three, most hotels will hit you with an additional guest fee. This can range from $20 up to $50 per night depending on the hotel.
Cancellation fees
Most hotels will charge a fee or percentage of your booking if you cancel your reservation within a certain amount of time prior to your arrival date. Some hotels may even charge a fee if you change your reservation after it has been made, so it's important to read the fine print.
How to avoid resort fees: tips for travelers
If you’re sick of hotels surprising you with hidden fees when checking in, fortunately, there are some ways to avoid or minimize these extra costs. While most hotels and resorts are adding resort fees, you can still avoid paying them with a bit of research and savvy travel tips.
- Research, research, research: Before booking your hotel, make sure to check what fees the resort may charge. Many resorts will list their fees on their websites or through the online booking platform, so make sure to read the fine print before you book.
- Ask questions: If you're not sure what kind of fees may be charged at a particular resort, don't hesitate to ask the staff either before or during your stay.
- Look for special deals and packages: Many resorts may offer special discounts that can help reduce or eliminate resort fees altogether. There may also be packages that throw in additional services and amenities for a low cost. Check directly on the hotel’s website for deals or stay and play packages.
- Use filters when searching on booking sites: You can use filters when searching on KAYAK and choose whether to display the nightly base rate or the total stay cost including taxes and fees. This way you’ll know exactly what you’ll be paying when you check in without any surprises.
- Join a loyalty program: Many resorts offer loyalty programs that can help reduce or eliminate certain types of resort fees when you book with them. By staying at your favorite hotel chains repeatedly, it’s a great way to save money on your next vacation and ensure that you don't get hit with hefty resort fees each time.
- Use a rewards program: Similar to a loyalty program, there are various travel reward programs, like those linked to certain credit cards. These can help you rack up points when booking flights and accommodation which can be redeemed at the property. Bonuses often lead to a reduction or scrapping of resort fees or adding services to your stay.
- Negotiate: Don't be afraid to negotiate with the staff at the resort. If you don’t plan on using some of the amenities for example, you could try to work out a reduced resort fee. You might be surprised at how flexible they can be when it comes to pricing, if you ask nicely.
In conclusion
Knowledge is the key for saving your hard-earned money. By understanding why hotels charge resort fees and knowing how to avoid them, you can make an educated booking for your next getaway. While resort fees are the new standard mandatory cost on top of your room rate, take advantage of promotional packages, loyalty programs and special offers to avoid paying exuberant fees. And, don't forget when finding the best place to stay on KAYAK, you can use price filters on hotel searches and features like Price Alerts which can help you find transparent deals quickly and easily.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a resort vs hotel?
Although they seem interchangeable, hotels and resorts actually have distinct features that set them apart. While hotels offer limited amenities in the form of rooms and basic facilities, resorts provide a more comprehensive vacation experience with additional facilities such as spas, golf courses, water sports, and dining options. Resorts cater to those seeking a relaxing all-in-one getaway, while hotels are suitable for travelers who require a comfortable place to stay without much extra. To find out more, check out KAYAK's article on what all-inclusive actually means.
Can you deny paying the resort fee?
While it may be frustrating to see this extra charge, it is usually non-negotiable. Some hotels may allow you to opt-out of certain amenities included in the fee, but they will not waive it entirely. Since the resort fee is typically disclosed at the time of booking, it is important to read the fine print.
Do hotels ever waive resort fees?
It’s not uncommon for hotels or resorts to waive their fees under certain circumstances. Most commonly, hotels will waive resort fees for those enrolled in their loyalty rewards program or for guests who have experienced inconveniences during their stay, such as a noisy room or a delay in check-in. It's important to note that it’s ultimately at their discretion.
How to avoid pet fees at hotels?
Navigating the world of pet-friendly accommodations can be tricky, especially when it comes to avoiding the added expense of pet fees. While each hotel may have their own set of rules and policies, there are a few tips that can help keep your wallet happy while traveling with your furry friend. The best way is to search for hotels that do not charge pet fees or offer specials for pet owners using KAYAK’s pet-friendly hotel search feature. It's also important to remember to be a responsible pet owner and clean up after your pet to avoid incurring any additional charges. With a little bit of research and preparation, you can enjoy a memorable and cost-effective stay with your beloved pet.
