Resort fees

For many years now airlines add various charges for extras such as ‘Priority Cars’ ‘additional luggage’ , speedy boarding” etc. Starting to go along the same tracks, many if not all hotels began to charge their guests with things that were taken for granted as being free and included in their overnight stay.

Whether it is an internet fees, early check-in or late check-outs, mini- bar contents or even storing luggage at a hotel’s lobby. All is scrupulously added. Unexpected charges await unaccustomed and unaware guests. According to research of New York University’s hospitality school, this year hotels will take in a record 2.25 billion US Dollars in revenue from add-ons. That encourages hotels to add even more of them. And come up with new ideas that will increase their profit.

For clients it is becoming hard to understand why they need to pay for services that were free so far. If all hotels in the region put up their fees it might seem to be normal, however the ever existing competition introduces some variations in imposed fees and rules.
The Hyatt Regency San Antonio charges 10- 25 US Dollars to receive a courier package and pass it on to its guest. Where most customers decide to pay the extras, some simply refuse or avoid a specific hotel or its chain of hotels. Nowadays, with low transmission costs, internet is expected by everyone to be available free of charge, especially at larger facilities : hotels, restaurants, trains, airports etc. Already asking for internet access seems strange, but in some hotels it happens to be available only after receiving a special “pay-as you need” password!

Even though some quests are even “revolting”, the majority agrees to pay the several fees hotel place on their bill. Statistically it gives around 2% in revenue as pure profit. Hotels are and surely will always be reluctant to eliminate such fees.
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