Poll : 24 March - 06 April 2010

Analysis

As anticipated, this survey generated a huge -- and often impassioned -- response. Harrah's is currently trumpeting its no-resort fee policy vociferously, particularly via the individual property's Twitters and, judging by the bulk of the feedback we received, not to mention the runaway winner in the voting, they may be gaining significant custom at the expense of those properties that do charge a resort fee.

Talking of Tweets, we were interested when Luxor surveyed its followers awhile back, asking how they felt about these fees; we're guessing the overwhelming response was in the negative, and yet now the entire MGM Mirage group here is rolling them out. Go figure.

• "I was in Las Vegas about 2 weeks ago and when I checked into New York-New York, the not-so-friendly clerk informed me there is a resort fee of $11.99 per day. When I questioned it, I was informed "they all do it". This was the first time any additional fees were mentioned to me. When I made my reservation via phone, the person taking the reservation never mentioned the fee. Standing at hotel registration with your bags in hand, what choice to you have? You pay the fee. However, I complained at check out and they quickly removed the fee. If there will be any additional charges for anything, they should just tell you up front, not wait until you show up. I felt this was a bit underhanded."
  
• "We have our own cells, we don't bring computers, nor use the exercise rooms, etc. I fight them upon check-in. We're there to eat, sleep, and gamble! We can "resort" at home."
  
• "Let’s see here – the US DOT and the FAA are making the airlines disclose all of their junk fees up front and, if advertising an airfare, the advertised price has to include the mandatory junk fees. Why should a hotel be any different? How is one to compare prices if you get to the hotel and are told – SURPRISE – you’re being subjected to a MANDATORY fee of $25.00 for a bottle of water (worth about 85 cents) and the right to use their pool (which I may or may not choose to do). If the airlines can survive with an honest pricing policy, why can’t hotels?"
  
• "I do hate the resort fees, but if my hotel of choice, the Venetian, insists on charging them - well, then I'll acquiesce, as I won't stay elsewhere when in Vegas. The upside is that the V doesn't tack these fees on to comped rooms. YET. Throwing in some USEFUL perks, like food or gaming credits or a pass to the Spa that includes steam/sauna in the resort fees would be much more acceptable... I sure don't use or need slow wired Internet access, free local calls, newspapers, or access to a treadmill!"
  
• "I now fly Southwest Airlines due to the baggage fee (read resort fee). In Las Vegas I, unfortunately, like the MGM properties' rooms. My solution: I take my gambling money across the street to Harrah's. I think that MGM would make a lot more money off of me if they let me spend my $15 at their casino."
  
• "If you are offered a comped room, find out if there is a resort fee and ask to have it waived. BTW, we get comped rooms at Stations often, and they once dared to try to bill us for their outrageous "resort fees." It took a phone call to the front desk to get this taken care of, with an apology. The Palms nicks you a paltry dollar for "telecommunications" or some nonsense like that. However, they do what many others do -- invite you to stay in a "free" room. If you later try to get a meal comp from the pit, you are told that your account is "negative" -- points were deducted because you stayed there. This policy is not disclosed at the time the room is booked."
  
• "We stayed at the Monte Carlo and paid a Resort Fee for bottled water and a newspaper. Problem was the newspaper was not delivered to our room but was in one communal location for us to pickup ourselves and there were never any there when we went for one. So we did not feel like the bottled water was worth what we were having to pay for it alone."
  
• "In the meantime, here's some of your feedback:
  
• Whether or not I stay at a hotel with resort fees requires just a simple mathematical exercise on my part. Room Rate plus all added fees & taxes equals my total cost. If that final figure is reasonable, I'll stay there. If not, I won't. Couldn't be much simpler, in my opinion! I have little time for the people who constantly bleat about the fees and complain they are somehow 'hidden' because they are often found in the fine print. It is your responsibility to read your offers carefully - and in their entirety. Get a total figure for your stay BEFORE you book! It's a simple concept - with no conspiracy at work. For instance - an offer for 3 free nights in a suite at the Venetian, but with a $17 nightly resort fee added, versus a rate of $29 a night for a regular room at the Imperial Palace - which is the better deal? Clearly, this shouldn't be rocket science. However, if one wishes to refuse to stay anywhere with resort fees just on principal, well - enjoy your stay at the IP!"
  
• "Here is a copy of the message I sent via the MGM players club message system (it's limited to 500 characters, so that explains the last line): Why are you charging resort fees for comped rooms? I have tried to book a room at both NY-NY and Excalibur and was told I would have to pay a resort fee on comped rooms. Paying a fee no longer makes it a comped room. I will not use any of the 'stuff' that the fee covers. And I won't stay OR play in a place that wants to charge me for a free room. You make money when I lose in the casino, but my money won't go to your casinos if you charge me a fee. I'd go on, but 500 letters is not enough. I got an automated response from the system, but that's it so far..."
  
• "I first remember seeing them popping up during the California energy crisis in 2001. They called them 'energy surcharges' and the trend lasted long after the energy crisis was over. When the price of a hotel room is $33 including tax and a $20 food credit, I can handle a $6 resort fee. That said, it still does seem somewhat disingenuous and makes it that much harder to comparison shop, which I suppose is what they are trying to do. It would be a non-issue if booking sites like hotels.com showed the total price for the room including tax and resort fee. (But then we would probably see them tack on a "key fee" or a "toilet fee"). Also, most hotels I've stayed in still charge $14.99 for Internet in your room, even if there is also a resort fee."
  
• "To respond to the poll, I chose - Hate Them. But to explain...Hotels are not 'resorts; in the way that I'm used to experiencing them. At the resorts I've visited, you pay a fee to get 'extras' like an all-inclusive meal and/or drink plan, staying in a certain floor or block of upgraded rooms, having a separate/private pool, personal concierge etc. Usually the resort-level guests have a wristband that gets you in to the various amenities. Access to the fitness center, a bottle of water, and newspaper is nickel & dime stuff with a hefty price tag, disguised as something special, and frankly, I take offense to the practice. It makes the real resorts look bad, too. Thanks for letting me vent - love your site and services!!!" [Ed: Thanks!]