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Here’s everything you need to know about the resort fees you may see listed on your hotel bill.
- Resort fees are common charges for hotel amenities that may not be immediately obvious to travelers.
- These fees boost hotel revenue by separating charges from the advertised room rate and avoiding commission payments.
- Travelers can potentially avoid resort fees by booking stays with points, joining loyalty programs, or negotiating at hotels.
Travel can be expensive—in 2025, the average cost of taking a domestic vacation hit $1,991 per person, according to an article by Chime—and you should make every penny count. That’s why understanding resort fees is critical when booking your next getaway.
“Resort fees are often additional fees added to the nightly hotel room rate and are advertised to cover a variety of services at the hotel,” Andrea Stokes, the lead researcher on hotels at J.D. Power, told Travel + Leisure. “Hotel owners and operators have a variety of accounting and tax-related reasons why they charge resort fees, which are not included in the room rate.”
Here’s everything you need to know about resort fees—and how to avoid them—before booking your next hotel.
What are resort fees?
Resort fees began as a way for properties to cover the cost of their extensive amenities; however, many hotels have adopted the practice under names like “destination fees” or “facility fees.” And sometimes, you may not even notice them until it’s too late.
“Resort fees are an increasingly common feature in hotel pricing, but they often leave travelers confused or frustrated,” Kimberly Denison, the founder of Denison Travel, shared. “They are simply part of modern travel costs—just like taxes.” However, unlike government-imposed taxes, resort fees go straight to the hotel.
To put it plainly, resort fees are charges that are added to the base room rate and are usually charged per night—and they can add up quickly.
What do resort fees cover?
On paper, resort fees are usually meant to cover services and amenities beyond the room guests book for their getaway. These can vary by property, but usually include high-speed internet use, access to the fitness center or swimming pool, daily newspapers, shuttle services, in-room coffee, or what otherwise appears to be “complimentary” water.
“They cover pretty much everything that makes you really want to go to a hotel,” Forrest Webber, owner of SEO for Hotel, added. “So, pools, fitness centers, Wi-Fi, parking, spas, or services.”
The biggest gripe from travelers is that they are charged this resort fee regardless of whether they use these amenities, making them far less of a perk. So the next time you debate using that complimentary service, use it—and use it heartily.
Why do hotels have resort fees?
This one’s easy: Revenue. Hotels have added resort fees to increase incremental earnings without increasing advertised room rates.
“By separating fees from the advertised room rate, properties appear more competitive on booking platforms,” Denison said. “This also reduces commission payments to travel advisors and online travel booking sites, which are often calculated based on the base rate alone.”
Of course, some hoteliers believe the fees are justified. “It depends on whoever is running the hotel,” Webber said. “Some people believe in them, and others do not. I believe in them if the amenities they cover are good enough to justify the extra cost. I would pay more if those are beyond the standard quality.”
What is the average resort fee?
Resort fees can vary widely between destinations, brands, and levels of luxury. In 2025, NerdWallet analyzed 160 hotels worldwide, focusing on both summer and winter check-in dates. Researchers found that of the 30 hotels that charged a resort fee, the average cost was about $33 per night. NerdWallet additionally pointed to data from the American Hotel and Lodging Association, which states that about six percent of hotels charge resort fees.
That’s because, unlike taxes, resort fees have not been standardized, nor do they fall under any predictable pattern. In the past, even the way hotels presented these fees could be unpredictable—while some places included them in the booking price up front, others didn’t present them to travelers until right at checkout.
How can I avoid paying resort fees?
Resort fees are usually mandatory. So if you don’t want to fight a hotel about them, your best bet is just to book a different hotel. However, there are a few ways you can try to get around them.
Book with points: “Some major hotel brands, including Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt, waive resort fees on fully paid award bookings,” Denison explained. So, if you have enough points to cover the booking, it may be a great way to save on resort fees and your vacation in general.
Stick with one hotel chain: Speaking of points, Denison noted that some hotel chains waive resort fees for guests with high-tier loyalty status. “Hyatt Globalist members do not pay resort fees on both paid and award stays, making this an excellent benefit for frequent travelers,” Denison explained.
Try to negotiate: If a hotel chain has a resort fee that lists its amenities and one is unavailable—say, the gym is closed—you could request a fee waiver. Try asking the hotel front desk or contacting customer service before you check out.
Here’s the reality: Resort fees are likely here to stay. But the best way to handle them is to stay informed on what they cover, and which hotels have them listed and which don’t. It’s critical to always read the fine print before booking any accommodation to know exactly what you’re paying for before your stay. It’s also a good idea to check in with your credit cards to see what kind of travel perks they have, as many offer travel credits that pay you back for booking with their card. And make sure you always sign up for free hotel loyalty programs before you go to snag additional perks.
There is some good news we can end on, too. In May 2025, the Junk Fees Rule went into effect to “prohibit bait-and-switch pricing,” which hides the total price of everything from live events to hotel fees.
“People deserve to know up-front what they’re being asked to pay—without worrying that they’ll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they haven’t budgeted for and can’t avoid,” Lina M. Khan, the former chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), said. “The FTC’s rule will put an end to junk fees around live event tickets, hotels, and vacation rentals, saving Americans billions of dollars and millions of hours in wasted time.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
