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Hidden hotel fees worth $2 billion
Here's a disturbing statistic from Forbes Traveler: "PricewaterhouseCoopers reports that hotels will charge almost $2 billion in hidden fees and surcharges in 2007."Ouch!
This would be all those little charges no one told you about when you checked into that "cheap" hotel only to find out later that it really wasn't that cheap after all. And, more disappointingly, how you've been charged for services you never used--like that "resort fee" for the pool you never swam in.
So what are the worst of the hidden fees that cumulatively add up to a $2 billion windfall for the hotel industry? Well, the fine folks at Forbes Traveler not only detail the Top Ten Most Annoying Hidden Hotel Fees, but also provide a handy slideshow to drive home the point in pictures as well.
And so here they are. If you're worried that such annoyances will creep into your bill uninvited, be sure to visit the slideshow for more detailed information on each of these pesky fees.
- Resort Fee
- Telephone Fee
- Energy Fee
- Technology Fee
- Groundskeeping Fee
- Towel Fee
- Safe Fee
- Housekeeping and Bellman Fee
- Parking Fee
- Mineral Water Fee
Gallery: Toronto's Drake Hotel - One Cool Hotel
Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Annette Olsen Nov 27th 2007 7:04AM
It's not just cheap hotels. We stayed at Boca Raton Resort & Spa for a wedding, the price quoted on the reservation was almost double per day when we got the bill. There was an $18/day parking, plus a mandatory fee for valet parking! Biggest rip-off ever!
barb Nov 27th 2007 7:49AM
I wish the hotel I work at added a "Housekeeper" fee. God knows, 95% of travelers have forgotten how to tip at a hotel.
Ken Nov 27th 2007 8:12AM
Seems like theses days every one wants a tip for doing their job. You save for a vacation, then you have tip every where you go. You never heard this back in the old days.
aj Nov 27th 2007 9:20AM
can't sfford to tip, have to pay the fees your emploers charge
Your Love Affair Nov 27th 2007 8:48AM
Dont forget the "bed tax". That's a real tax added on to hotel tabs in some hotels in NY. Do you believe it?
Chris Nov 27th 2007 8:53AM
Tell Neil Woodburn he should do a little more esearch before he writes an article that makes it sound like ALL hotels are involved in his two billion dollar windfall! I work for a Micrtoel Inn and Suites and, while I'll admit we have to tax at 13 per cent everything else he mentioned doesn NOT apply to our hotel. We have three kinds of room, single, double and suite. All our beds are queen size and the prices are $59, $69 and $79 with NO added fees. In fact local AND long distance calls are free plus we offer wireless Internet access in our rooms. We serve a continental breakfast seven days a week and our hotels that have pools certainly don't charge anything to use them. So, next time don't lump us all together like that and try a Microtel. I think you'll find it wonderful!
Jamie Nov 29th 2007 2:29PM
That sounds better than my house....can I move in?
tata Nov 27th 2007 1:34PM
Tip at a hotel, take it out of the safe fee you jacked me for. Also how about washing the comforters a little more often. Here's another suggestion wash the glasses in a dishwasher instead of in the bathroom sink with used washclothes. Also you trusting patrons, watch out for the MRSA bug going on in hotel rooms.
tom conyers Nov 27th 2007 9:17AM
just as in any transaction involving money ask if there are any hidden/undisclosed fees. if so, just refuse the room and tell the person why you are refusing and that you will be looking for places that do not charge these hidden fees. when enough people do this maybe the fees will go away.
Traveler Nov 27th 2007 9:19AM
A reply/note to Chris re: MicroTel. .
I'm a frequent stayer at MT. . .but not all are as rosey as you'd wanna depict. Try the one at NYS Thruway exit 49 in Buffalo. . .safe charge applied (tho you can ask to have it removed). . . continental breakfast is dishwater coffee conjured up from some kind of syrup and a leathery old bagel trapped in a plastic baggie.
So, message is don't lump all MT in same bunch either.
Dr Pamela Nov 27th 2007 9:39AM
The best one yet is when I stayed at a cheap 3-star hotel in Istanbul, Turkey. One 10 minute phone call to a cell phone (a contact name given to me by a friend) cost me $290.00. Hard to believe. I screamed, cried and almost died but either you pay or allow the Turkish police to haul you away. I still say that the best deals are the 5-star hotels. Pay up and enjoy the luxury!
Sherry Nov 27th 2007 9:59AM
Agree with Chris. I have stayed in several Microtels and even moved out of a motel into a Microtel because of the rates and amenities. They have always been nice, clean and affordable.
DAN Nov 27th 2007 6:03PM
THE FEE THAT PIS SES ME OFF IS THE DAMN FEE TO PARK YOUR OWN DAMN CAR
Pat Nov 27th 2007 5:57PM
Try staying at a motel in a college town when the football game is in town that weekend. Rates are doubled and even tripled. That should be against the law.
DAN Nov 27th 2007 5:58PM
I DON'T EVER REMEMBER THESE FEES BEFORE GEORGE THE JERK OFF BUSH TOOK OFFICE AND I BET THAT THE VAST MAJORITY AGREE WITH ME TOO
DAN Nov 27th 2007 6:11PM
to people who complain about football game weekends and race weekends - there have always been event weekend special fees - one way to avoid them is to reserve your room atleast 2 months in advance and then you will not be ripped off