"jesica246" <jesica246@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:6e5451a1-0223-43b7-bfa7-887da1afcf4f@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Most travelers (especially we business folk who work within trip-
> budget limits) hate extras tacked on to room rates. I put Internet
> usage, parking, resort fees in this category. I guess I can understand
> energy surcharges or room-service delivery charges and automatic
> gratuities, but they tick off some.
>
> Here's my question: Have any readers successfully gotten fees removed?
> Can you, should you, under certain cir***stances? I did have a
> colleague who spent her time at a resort working on a story in her
> room and successfully argued that since she had not used the pool or
> recreational facilities she should not have to pay for using them. Any
> examples or thoughts here? Hoteliers, feel free to argue your case if
> your properties charge such fees. I personally would rather know what
> I'll be paying upfront rather than end up with a bill that turns out
> to be far higher than budgeted because of fees I didn't research...
>
My only experience along these lines is with better than average places.
For example, the Del Coronado Hotel in San Diego charges for parking, and
additionally a "resort fee" that is charged to everyone and not
negotiable.
I was unable to even get a definition of what I would get for the fee.
This
is a rather transparent attempt to make the rate seem cheaper. I would
prefer that they be honest upfront and just add the two figures together.
Other hotels, such as the Doubletree Inn in Santa Barbara have an internet
access fee of about $10/day. I view this the same as if they charged for
a
telephone, electricity or air conditioning in the room. Particularly, if
the room is $300 and up per night.
And, I think hotels should provide parking for free, even if they don't
own
the parking facility used by the hotel. It seems that the cheaper the
hotel
(within limits), the more likely that there will be no hidden charges.
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