Question of the Day — 15 Jan 2009

As we reported the last time we addressed this topic via QoD (6/16/2007), these surcharges and add-ons have been the subject of some controversy for a few years now:

"Back in 2004, there was something of a scandal in the hotel industry, with a number of major chains, including Hilton, Wyndham, and Starwood facing class-action lawsuits alleging that extra fees added to their room charges were unfair, since customers had not been informed of them prior to checking in. Station Casinos here in Las Vegas was also involved and agreed to a settlement of between $2.50 and $3 per guest in coupons for 940,000 former guests who'd stayed there between April 1, 2001 and April 4, 2004 and had been hit with $1-a-day telephone charges (regardless of whether the phone had been used or not) and a $3.50-a-day energy surcharge."

Fast forward to 2009 and we regret to inform you that far from being a thing of the past, these resort fees are evidently becoming more common –- and expensive. The hotel (or third-party agent that you book through) must inform you of these prior to you paying for the reservation, but it might be hidden in the small print, so make sure you read it if you’re booking online or ask about any additional fees if you’re making a reservation over the phone.

One of the things that amuses us most about these fees is the PR-speak that’s employed to describe them. For example, we visited Green Valley Ranch’s reservation page and clicked on the details for the "resort amenity fee" ($24.99 per night, plus tax, no less) which, it informed us, was to cover the following:

• Complimentary Wired and Wireless High Speed In-Room Internet
• Free and Unlimited Local and 800 calls
• Daily Local Newspaper
• Fitness Center access
• Complimentary Shoe Shine Service
• Complimentary Airport Shuttle Service

Hmm. Are we missing something or has the meaning of "complimentary" changed since we last looked? We were under the impression that if something’s complimentary, you don’t have to pay for it. And what if you don’t want to take advantage of the "free" local calls? Or the "complimentary" shoe-shine service? Too bad. (We’d suggest getting your money’s worth and bringing all your shoes, but then you’d probably end up incurring an excess-baggage fee or carry-on charge from the airline.)

Anyhow, we made some calls to a number of properties to check the lay of the land fee-wise, and here’s what we found:

• Bellagio: Just as when we checked in ’07, there’s no resort fee, but the property still charges $25 a day for use of the spa/fitness center. (If you order a treatment, that charge will be waived.)
• Caesars Palace: No resort fee, but a $100 per day deposit is required (on a credit card) or $200 cash deposit (flat rate) upon check-in, which will be returned if you don't watch any movies, order room service, hit the mini-bar, etc.
• Gold Coast: $3/day fee, which includes access to the fitness center, shuttle service, in-room coffee, and toll-free calls.
• Green Valley Ranch: This fee’s increased from $19.99/day to $24.99/day, which includes those services listed above, plus, we were informed when we called, twice-daily maid service, a buffet line pass, and up to 10 pages of photocopies or faxes.
• Fiesta Henderson: $7.95/day fee includes local and 800 calls, daily newspaper, Internet access, parking, pool/spa/fitness center access, line pass to the buffet, discount at the gift shop, and up to 10 pages of copies or faxes.
• Hard Rock: $7/day fee includes in-room safe, parking, minibar (but not its contents), bath products, and a plasma TV.
• Harrah’s: Same terms as Caesars Palace.
• Loews Lake Las Vegas: $22/day, which includes Internet access, parking, access to the fitness center, and shuttle service.
• Orleans: $5/