How to Avoid Hotel Resort Fees

Resort fees are separate charges added after you book, and you can avoid most of them by choosing hotels that don't charge them

Resort fees are not part of your room rate. Hotels add them at checkout or on your final bill — sometimes $15 a night, sometimes $45 or more. They cover amenities like parking, gym access, pool use, or Wi-Fi that the hotel bundles together and charges everyone, whether you use them or not. The fee is mandatory; you cannot opt out once you have booked.

The simplest way to avoid resort fees is to book a hotel that does not charge them. Budget chains, independent hotels, and many mid-range properties do not use resort fees at all. Luxury resorts and large casino hotels almost always do. If you are set on a specific property, you can sometimes negotiate the fee down or get it waived, but the most reliable strategy is to filter them out before you book.

Key Takeaways

• Resort fees are mandatory charges added after your room rate and appear on your final bill, not in the advertised price.
• Budget and independent hotels typically do not charge resort fees, while luxury resorts and casino hotels almost always do.
• Booking sites often hide resort fees in fine print or show them only after you enter payment details, so read the full cost breakdown before confirming.
• Calling the hotel directly and asking about fee waivers or reductions works more often than trying to negotiate after booking.
• Loyalty program members and guests booking directly through the hotel's website sometimes receive partial fee reductions or exemptions.

Check the total price, not just the room rate

Booking sites display the room rate prominently and bury resort fees in smaller text or behind a "See full price" link. The advertised nightly rate of $89 might actually cost $130 once the resort fee is added. Always scroll down or click through to see the full breakdown before you enter your payment information.

Some sites show resort fees clearly; others do not estimate them until the final step. Expedia, Booking.com, and Hotels.com all display them, but the placement and clarity vary. If you are comparing two hotels, compare the total nightly cost including all fees, not the base rate. A $100 room with a $30 resort fee costs more than a $110 room with no resort fee.

Filter by hotel type and brand to avoid fees from the start

Resort fees are most common at upscale and luxury properties. Budget chains like Motel 6, Super 8, and Red Roof do not charge them. Mid-range chains like La Quinta, Microtel, and many Best Western locations also avoid resort fees. Independent hotels and smaller regional chains are less likely to charge them than major luxury brands.

If you are booking through a search site, use the filter options to narrow by brand or star rating. You can also search for "hotels without resort fees" plus your destination to find lists of specific properties in your area. Some travel sites maintain databases of which chains and properties charge fees and which do not, though these change over time as hotels update their policies.

Call the hotel directly before booking to ask about fee reductions

If you have chosen a hotel that does charge a resort fee, call the property directly and ask whether the fee can be reduced or waived. Front desk staff and reservations agents have some discretion, especially if you are booking a longer stay, visiting during a slow period, or a loyalty member. The worst they can say is no. Asking before you book gives you the option to choose a different hotel if they refuse.

Be specific about what you are asking: "Can you reduce the resort fee for a three-night stay?" or "Is the resort fee waived for [loyalty program] members?" Write down the name of the person you spoke with and what they said. If they promise a reduction, ask them to note it in the reservation so the front desk sees it when you arrive. Do not rely on a verbal promise alone.

Book directly through the hotel's website when you are a loyalty member

Hotel loyalty programs sometimes offer partial fee reductions or full waivers for members, but only when you book through the hotel's own website or by calling the property directly. Booking through a third-party site like Expedia or Kayak usually disqualifies you from these perks, even if you are logged into your loyalty account.

Check your loyalty program's terms to see what fee benefits you have earned. Elite members at major chains often receive fee reductions or exemptions. If you are close to reaching a higher tier, a stay that waives the resort fee might push you over the threshold and save you money on future bookings as well.

Understand what the resort fee actually covers

Resort fees typically bundle several amenities together: parking, Wi-Fi, gym access, pool use, and sometimes local phone calls or fitness classes. The hotel does not let you pick and choose — you pay for the whole package. If you do not plan to use the pool or gym, you are still paying for access.

Read the resort fee description on the booking site or call the hotel to confirm what is included. Some properties charge separate fees for parking on top of the resort fee, or charge extra for premium parking. Knowing exactly what you are paying for helps you decide whether the total cost is worth it compared to a cheaper hotel without the fee.

Compare the true cost across multiple properties

When you are deciding between two hotels, add the room rate plus the resort fee plus any parking charges to get the real nightly cost. A $120 room with a $25 resort fee and $15 parking costs $160 per night. A $140 room with no resort fee and free parking costs $140 per night. The cheaper advertised rate is not always the better deal.

Use a spreadsheet or notepad to list each hotel's base rate, resort fee, parking cost, and total. Include the number of nights you are staying so you can see the full trip cost. This takes a few extra minutes but prevents the surprise of a much higher bill at checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refuse to pay the resort fee when I arrive?

No. The resort fee is a mandatory charge set by the hotel, not an optional service. It is part of your booking agreement. You can dispute it with your credit card company after checkout, but the hotel will not remove it on the spot, and disputing it may damage your relationship with the property if you plan to return.

Do resort fees apply to every night of my stay?

Yes, unless the hotel has waived it entirely or reduced it as part of a negotiated rate. The fee is charged per night, so a three-night stay with a $20 resort fee costs $60 in fees alone. Always multiply the nightly fee by the number of nights when calculating your total cost.

What if the resort fee is not mentioned until I reach the payment page?

You can cancel without penalty at most hotels if you have not yet completed the booking. Back out, call the hotel directly to confirm the fee, and ask about reductions before you book again. Some booking sites allow you to cancel up to 24 hours before arrival, but the resort fee is still charged unless the hotel waives it.

Are resort fees the same at all locations of the same hotel chain?

No. Each property sets its own resort fee, and it varies widely even within the same chain. A luxury resort in Las Vegas might charge $45 per night while the same brand's property in a smaller city charges $15. Always check the specific hotel's fee, not just the chain's average.

Do travel rewards points cover resort fees?

Rarely. Most hotel loyalty programs let you redeem points for the room rate but not the resort fee. You pay the resort fee out of pocket even when your room is free. Check your program's terms, as a few elite tiers or premium credit cards offer resort fee credits, but this is uncommon.