A year ago today my daughter’s dream of swimming with dolphins came true. As a combination birthday/Christmas present, we traveled to a resort in Hawaii, which allows guests to frolic with marine mammals, for a pretty penny. I knew exactly how much we’d have to fork over for the dolphin experience; however, when I got the bill for the overnight accommodations, my jaw hit the hotel’s travertine floor. I was shocked by the exorbitant resort fees, which by the way, were not fully disclosed during the booking process.
I later discovered that this is a common practice with hotels and resorts. It proves that you really have to do your homework before making travel commitments. The smarter you are, the more you can save, especially when it comes to paying for a hotel room. By knowing how much you are truly spending for your stay you can make informed choices in other areas involving money. For example, if I had known we were going to get hit with a $20 resort fee, in addition to the standard room rate and taxes, I would have not splurged on dessert at the hotel’s restaurant nor would I would have allowed my child to nosh on a $4 mini can of Pringles from the hotel’s sundry shop.
Fortunately, the federal government is looking to change the way travelers are informed about extra fees. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission sent a letter to 22 unidentified hotels warning that failing to inform guests about resort fees before they’ve completed the reservation process could be considered illegal.
Resort fees are typically assessed at high-end properties and may include access to amenities such the gym or pool, as well as complimentary Internet connection, newspapers and local phone calls. The FTC says it takes issue with these fees when travelers aren’t told about them while they are making their reservation. Officials with the federal agency also note that they are working to have resorts reveal the total cost of a night’s stay, including all fees, so potential guests can plan their travel budget accordingly.