You find a hotel at a great price. You click “Book.”
Then at checkout—or worse, at check-in—you see an extra charge called a resort fee, destination fee, or amenity fee.
It wasn’t optional. It wasn’t clearly explained. And it can add hundreds of dollars to your stay.
Here’s what resort fees really are, why hotels use them, and when you can avoid paying them.
What Is a Resort Fee?
A resort fee is a mandatory daily charge added to your hotel stay, separate from the advertised room rate.
Hotels often say it covers things like:
- Wi-Fi
- Pool or gym access
- Beach chairs or towels
- Bottled water
- Local phone calls
But here’s the catch:
👉 Many of these amenities were once included in the room price.
Why Hotels Use Resort Fees
Resort fees exist for one main reason: price manipulation.
1. They Make Rooms Look Cheaper Online
Booking sites and search engines usually sort hotels by base nightly rate, not total cost.
By moving part of the price into a separate fee, hotels:
- Appear cheaper than competitors
- Rank higher in search results
- Get more clicks
2. Fees Are Often Non-Commissionable
Hotels may not pay commissions on resort fees to booking sites or travel agents.
That means:
- Hotels keep more money
- Third parties earn less
- You pay the same—or more
3. They’re Harder to Compare
A $199 hotel with a $45 resort fee looks cheaper than a $239 hotel with no fee—even though they cost the same.
Most travelers don’t realize this until checkout.
Are Resort Fees Legal?
Yes—for now.
Hotels are allowed to charge resort fees as long as:
- The fee is disclosed somewhere before booking
- It’s listed in the fine print
That said, regulators have criticized the practice, and some jurisdictions are pushing for stricter transparency rules.
But today, resort fees are still very common—especially in certain destinations.
Where Resort Fees Are Most Common
You’re most likely to encounter resort fees in:
- Las Vegas
- Hawaii
- Orlando
- New York City
- Beach and ski resorts
Even non-resort city hotels now use them.
Can You Ever Avoid Resort Fees?
Sometimes—but not always.
Here are the legitimate ways resort fees may be waived.
1. Booking with Loyalty Status
Some hotel loyalty programs waive resort fees for:
- Top-tier elite members
- Award (points) stays
This varies by brand, so always check the fine print.
2. Booking with Points (Sometimes)
Certain hotel programs:
- Waive resort fees on points bookings
- Still charge them on free-night certificates
This is inconsistent, so don’t assume “free night” means “no fees.”
3. Negotiating at Check-In (Rare, But Possible)
If:
- An amenity is unavailable (closed pool, broken gym)
- The hotel made a mistake
- You’re staying during renovations
You can politely ask for the fee to be removed or reduced.
Success rates vary, but it never hurts to ask.
4. Choosing Hotels That Don’t Charge Them
Some hotels simply don’t use resort fees.
Before booking:
- Scroll to the total price
- Look for “Taxes and fees”
- Read the fine print carefully
If a hotel doesn’t mention a resort or destination fee at all, that’s a good sign.
What You Should Always Do Before Booking
Before you click “Confirm”:
- Check the total nightly cost, not just the headline rate
- Look for words like:
- Resort fee
- Destination fee
- Amenity fee
- Multiply the fee by the number of nights
- Decide if the hotel is still worth it
A $35 nightly fee on a 7-night stay is $245 extra.
The Bottom Line
Resort fees aren’t a surprise—they’re a strategy.
Hotels use them to:
- Appear cheaper
- Shift costs
- Increase revenue quietly
Once you know how they work, they’re easier to spot—and sometimes avoid.
Before Your Next Hotel Stay
At Travel Fine Print, we break down the fees, rules, and fine print that most booking sites gloss over—so you don’t get caught off guard at check-in.
Before your next trip:
Get the free guide 27 Travel Mistakes That Cost People Thousands (And How to Avoid Them).