Plaza to charge RESORT FEE

There was a time when people made their own decisions on how they would spend their money. Apparently times have changed. I neither appreciate nor desire for anyone to tell me that now spending my money for something that I never had to pay for before has suddenly changed, and, though now a "nuisance", I should accept it. Well I don't accept it. Resort fees are not a nuisance - they equate to real money. As for those who disagree with my "opinions", I use the word "idiot" as defined as someone who is "utterly foolish". If one wishes to give their money away for something that was free, then go ahead and give it away, after all, it is your money.

Let's face it, we play VP at the dollar level, and it's two draws at $5 a draw. I'm sure it's not going to break anyone, although I'm not staying there!

Doctor,

Here is where you and I are different.

I respect people for weighing all of the information and making a decision that they think is in their best interest. If their opinion doesn't align to mine, I don't consider them to be an "idiot."

When I am sizing up a trip, I consider a wide variety of factors before making a decision on where to stay. What is price of the room? What is cost of transportation downtown to a superior room at Gold Nugget Rush Tower vs. a Hollywood Hip room at Planet Hollywood? What kind of drinks are comped on the casino floor? A nice martini presentation at Wynn or a martini in a shot glass at Flamingo? What are the pay tables at one casino vs. another?

This week I weighed the value of a VIP check-in at Golden Nugget. This is almost like a "voluntary resort fee." I chose this option and am very happy with the decision. We avoided a line at check-in and at various spots at the property. We took advantage of the complimentary water, juices and snacks. It worked for us. But I respect your opinion to decline this option. And I won't call you an idiot for declining the VIP option. To each his own.

friedmush- I respect your opinion, but you and I, when talking about resort fees and VIP check-in are talking apples and oranges. Also I believe that the aforementioned VIP check in option is just that, an option. Meanwhile the so-called "resort fee" is not an option. All the "resort fee" is is another way to pad the bottom line while offering little of real value in return. But as I said before, it is your money.

Never mind, Doctor.

Or you could just stay home in protest.

Resorts fees are a BIG scam. Yes we can add up the resort fee and the room rate but why should we have to do that?
The player unfriendly Caesers is making a big impact with its "No Resort Fees" campaign.

What is it with these stupid resort fees? (And I still call hotels hotels, not "resorts.")

It used to be you got a rate for a room and you paid it, and that was it. No extra "fees" for watching TV, using the shower, or sleeping in the bed. Of course, no one would be dumb enough to fall for such fees. Yet we have people who are eager to pay an extra fee so they can make 1-800 calls for free in the room, web surf on their phones or drink 2 cents worth of water out of a bottle. LOL. These people are idiots and the "resorts" have them eating out of their hand.

nighthawk7777- if I may say, don't you really mean to say that these people are utterly foolish and the "resorts" have them eating out of their hand? After all, it is their money to spend any way they wish.

I think some of you are missing the point, which is sometimes the hotel that sticks you with a resort fee still offers the best value to the consumer.

You have to calculate a number of factors, including the resort fee.

For example, there is currently an offer from Travelzoo for $99 a night for two nights at Aria, but with a $100 credit for the stay. Aria will charge $25 per night resort fee. So $99 plus $99 plus 50 = $248. Subtract the $100 credit, which would clearly benefit me, and my cost for two nights is $149.

Caesars wants to charge me $149 per night at same timeframe. $298 plus $0 resort fee = $298.

I will take into account other factors such as pay tables on machines, blackjack rules, comfort of the room and this offer is clearly more favorable. Hell, I am indirectly paying a "resort fee" every hour or so I play video poker at Caesars with the reduced pay tables.

If I am comparing a similar offer from Wynn (resort fee) vs Caesar's (no resort fee), I am going to add up all of the costs of both places and weigh other values. For example, Wynn has outstanding cocktails with better liquor and better presentation (think espresso martini) or the fact that Caesar's will charge me as a male $30 to enter the kid-free pool, while admission at the adult pools at Wynn and Encore are free.

Regarding the $8.99 resort fee at The Plaza, it might have value to guests who want to tap into WiFi. At Golden Nugget the cost for WiFi a la carte is $12.95. It may not have appeal to any of us, but The Plaza might actually attract people who like constant WiFi connection.

Of course no one wants to pay a reort fee. But sometimes offers that are saddled with resort fees are the best value to a consumer.