Aug 30, 2007
Don't ever book a large hotel without inquiring whether they charge a "resort fee" -- and if they do, refuse to book unless they eliminate it
It's a practice, shamefully enough, of some of the most prominent chain hotels -- and it needs to be stopped. You check out of your room and discover that they've added from $15 to $20 a day as a "resort fee" supposedly meant to cover the cost of the hotel's fitness room, large swimming pool towels, the availability of the business center. And you're charged that added fee despite the fact that you don't plan to use the fitness room, large swimming pool towels, or the business center. Some hotels even mention that the "resort fee" covers the in-room coffee-maker perched on the bathroom ledge, even though you have no intention of ever using it.
That ubiquitous "resort fee" is an outrageous scam meant to raise the hotel's income (and its room rates) without telling you. It's a shameful, deceptive practice on the part of hotel executives, who should know better; and yet it seems to be spreading all over the world of hotels, or at least to the larger ones.
Never get tricked into paying it. When confirming your reservation, ask politely whether there are extra charges such as a "resort fee" (or other similar scam). And if there are, refuse to book unless they remove them.
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That ubiquitous "resort fee" is an outrageous scam meant to raise the hotel's income (and its room rates) without telling you. It's a shameful, deceptive practice on the part of hotel executives, who should know better; and yet it seems to be spreading all over the world of hotels, or at least to the larger ones.
Never get tricked into paying it. When confirming your reservation, ask politely whether there are extra charges such as a "resort fee" (or other similar scam). And if there are, refuse to book unless they remove them.
Write and read comments about this post.
Fifty years ago, 
Arthur Frommer is generally acknowledged to be the nation's foremost travel authority. He is the founder of the
