28 thoughts on “$65/Night Hawaii Resort Fees Persist But President Says Stop”
Daniel F.
Bait and switch is an apt descriptor for “resort fees”; another is “rip off”. There are very few hotels in Honolulu and Las Vegas that don’t charge such fees and they get my business.
Resort fees are common in other states. There is no bate and switch, the charges are provided when you book your trip, and you make a choice.
Why should resorts in hawaii worry about what the president says unless he will somehow end all resort fees everywhere.
It is in my opinion “bait and switch” because advertisers entice potential customers by posting room rates which are in many cases much less than the price they will actually pay when the “resort fee” is added.
Resort fees should be listed “up front.” As far as abolishing them outright – that will change nothing, because the hotels will simply increase their rates to make up for it. One way or another the consumer will pay.
Think that Hawaiian hotels are ripping you off? Don’t blame Hawaii – blame the multinational corporations: Hyatt, Four Seasons, Hilton, Sheraton, Waldorf Astoria (owns the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui), Seibu Railaway Japan (owns Prince Resorts), et al – call them and complain. As long as travelers are willing to pay high rates, the hotels will charge them. And with the predicted resurgence of the affluent Japanese tourist yet to come, it’s going to get worse, not better. Isn’t Capitalisms fun?
Eldo, not calling for them to be abolished. Just be straight with your customers. If the room rate is actually $200, advertise it as 200,
Not 150 and a 50 dollar resort fee.
Resort fees should be banned unless the property has these 4 extras: a 24 hour on property restaurant, a gym that comfortably accommodates at least,say, 3 % of guests throughout the early hours until late night, a swimming pool and an on property golf course.The course can be shared with an adjacent hotel. Without those 4 amenities, it’s a hotel, not a resort.
My opinion they the charge resort fees so they can advertise lower prices and the get to save on commissions they pay to travel sites and agents.
I guess I need to give kudos to Marriott/ Bonvoy because on their website, if you look up to the upper portion of the search page, you can click a box that says ‘show me the price with all taxes and fees’ and snap, total price is right there! I enjoy that feature and is one of the many reasons i am loyal brand fan, no hidden fees or unexpected costs.
Not so fast on those kudos @yachtscott… Marriott only displays the pricing that way because they had to agree to it as part of a settlement from a lawsuit brought by the Pennsylvania Attorney General:
Thanks for that update @autoslash. Thank you to the PA AG as well as i hope they make all websites have that feature! Still a Bonvoy fan even though they were forced into what is a common sense way to do business. i really don’t care what makes up my bottom line stay cost, just that i know going in to it what the $ will be.
The American Hotel and Lodging Association needs to get out a bit. We are lucky to be Marriott Titanium for Life because when we stayed (on points) two weeks ago at the Maui Sheraton, we would have paid $42.67/night resort fee AND $46/night parking fee. Instead, we only had to pay the resort fee. (Think about visiting Maui and not having a car to park.)
Thanks for the article guys. The American Hotel and Lodging Association hit back, however, saying that 94% of hotels charge no resort. When they do, “it includes unique and tangible amenities such as food and beverage credits, special events, access to pools and beaches, transportation and spa services.” Ha! I’ve never stayed at or found a hotel that includes any of these things. And I can go to the beach for free… at least until visitors are charged fees to come to Hawaii.
Back in the day access to a pool/beach was a given, no resort or hotel fee charged to cover such access. I first noticed those fees a couple of years ago when arranging hotel stays in Las Vegas for attorneys I worked with. I thought it was outrageous, and so did the attorneys.
Aloha – find a nice t/share to rent and stay in…yes, there will be taxes and fees, but not to the hotel extent of them…just the mandated State basics…which have also increased and will likely again as a tax grab. But what can you do – not ‘play’ and go elsewhere.
I just got back from Hawaii. The “Resort Fees” feel sleazy, because they are. You are fooling no one. “Bait and Switch” is an illegal trade practice and originated…..guess where? From the Mobsters in Las Vegas. Charge what you want, but please don’t try to “trick me”.
Bait and switch is an apt descriptor for “resort fees”; another is “rip off”. There are very few hotels in Honolulu and Las Vegas that don’t charge such fees and they get my business.
Resort fees are common in other states. There is no bate and switch, the charges are provided when you book your trip, and you make a choice.
Why should resorts in hawaii worry about what the president says unless he will somehow end all resort fees everywhere.
It is in my opinion “bait and switch” because advertisers entice potential customers by posting room rates which are in many cases much less than the price they will actually pay when the “resort fee” is added.
Resort fees should be listed “up front.” As far as abolishing them outright – that will change nothing, because the hotels will simply increase their rates to make up for it. One way or another the consumer will pay.
Think that Hawaiian hotels are ripping you off? Don’t blame Hawaii – blame the multinational corporations: Hyatt, Four Seasons, Hilton, Sheraton, Waldorf Astoria (owns the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui), Seibu Railaway Japan (owns Prince Resorts), et al – call them and complain. As long as travelers are willing to pay high rates, the hotels will charge them. And with the predicted resurgence of the affluent Japanese tourist yet to come, it’s going to get worse, not better. Isn’t Capitalisms fun?
Eldo, not calling for them to be abolished. Just be straight with your customers. If the room rate is actually $200, advertise it as 200,
Not 150 and a 50 dollar resort fee.
And, never call a plain jane hotel a resort.
I would never decide to book a hotel without going through to the final cost page. Isn’t the fee always listed somewhere on that page?
Resort fees should be banned unless the property has these 4 extras: a 24 hour on property restaurant, a gym that comfortably accommodates at least,say, 3 % of guests throughout the early hours until late night, a swimming pool and an on property golf course.The course can be shared with an adjacent hotel. Without those 4 amenities, it’s a hotel, not a resort.
My opinion they the charge resort fees so they can advertise lower prices and the get to save on commissions they pay to travel sites and agents.
I guess I need to give kudos to Marriott/ Bonvoy because on their website, if you look up to the upper portion of the search page, you can click a box that says ‘show me the price with all taxes and fees’ and snap, total price is right there! I enjoy that feature and is one of the many reasons i am loyal brand fan, no hidden fees or unexpected costs.
Not so fast on those kudos @yachtscott… Marriott only displays the pricing that way because they had to agree to it as part of a settlement from a lawsuit brought by the Pennsylvania Attorney General:
forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2021/11/22/marriott-disclose-resort-fees/?sh=1ee4415f33b7
Transparency under duress is more like it.
Thanks for that update @autoslash. Thank you to the PA AG as well as i hope they make all websites have that feature! Still a Bonvoy fan even though they were forced into what is a common sense way to do business. i really don’t care what makes up my bottom line stay cost, just that i know going in to it what the $ will be.
The American Hotel and Lodging Association needs to get out a bit. We are lucky to be Marriott Titanium for Life because when we stayed (on points) two weeks ago at the Maui Sheraton, we would have paid $42.67/night resort fee AND $46/night parking fee. Instead, we only had to pay the resort fee. (Think about visiting Maui and not having a car to park.)
Thanks for the article guys. The American Hotel and Lodging Association hit back, however, saying that 94% of hotels charge no resort. When they do, “it includes unique and tangible amenities such as food and beverage credits, special events, access to pools and beaches, transportation and spa services.” Ha! I’ve never stayed at or found a hotel that includes any of these things. And I can go to the beach for free… at least until visitors are charged fees to come to Hawaii.
Back in the day access to a pool/beach was a given, no resort or hotel fee charged to cover such access. I first noticed those fees a couple of years ago when arranging hotel stays in Las Vegas for attorneys I worked with. I thought it was outrageous, and so did the attorneys.
Now that’s a hoot, attorney’s thinking something is outrageous!!!
Aloha – find a nice t/share to rent and stay in…yes, there will be taxes and fees, but not to the hotel extent of them…just the mandated State basics…which have also increased and will likely again as a tax grab. But what can you do – not ‘play’ and go elsewhere.
I just got back from Hawaii. The “Resort Fees” feel sleazy, because they are. You are fooling no one. “Bait and Switch” is an illegal trade practice and originated…..guess where? From the Mobsters in Las Vegas. Charge what you want, but please don’t try to “trick me”.