Watch out for 'Resort Fees"

While booking a hotel in Miami I was shocked to discover that there was a mandatory "resort fee" of 10 dollars per night. Apparently, this covered the use of pool loungers and towels, the gym and internet access. Surely this should be included in the room charge? Could I refuse to pay? - Roelene Gordon

Resort fees have become a controversial issue in the United States and have now become a widespread practice in many cities. The hotels claim that the fee covers use of gym and pool facilities, business centres and other alleged perks. The fee is mandatory and all guests are forced to pay up, whether they used the facilities or not. In Las Vegas, many of the big hotels charge an average resort fee of 25 US dollars a night. Consider yourself lucky that you found out about this fee in advance. Many people only discover it on their bill when checking out and it is not included in room rate quotes or the rates charged by booking agencies. You pay when you check out. I agree with travelers that the charge is outrageous. Yet, it seems there is little you can do about it. If you were not informed of it in advance, you could dispute the charge with your credit card company. However, the practice is becoming so widespread that it will become less easy to fight. For example, I checked five popular hotels in Las Vegas and they all enforced a 25 US dollar resort fee per night. They were the MGM Grand, the Mandalay Bay, Treasure Island, the Venetian and the Mirage. Some of the alleged perks were access to nightclubs and prior booking facilities for restaurants and shows, but you cannot refuse to pay. Other areas where hotels are charging this fee are in Hawaii, Atlantic city, the Bahamas, Texas and the Niagara Falls. Alarmingly, the first hotels in New York City are levying this fee and it is also being enforced at Rio's top hotel, the Copacabana Palace. I have not heard of it popping up in South Africa yet. It seems the only way you can fight it where you find it is to choose a hotel that doesn't charge the fee and reward it with your booking.  Among the hotels bucking the trend in the Vegas are Caesars Palace, the Golden Nugget, Rio, Ballys and the Four Seasons. (1 July 2012)