Why this guide: about 1,300 people a month search Google for “what is a resort fee” (US, DataForSEO Labs, September 2026). This is the answer we would give a client, written to be booked from.
The short answer
- What it isA mandatory per-night fee ($25–$60+) on top of the room rate, taxed, for 'amenities' like Wi-Fi, the pool and the gym
- Where it is worstLas Vegas ($40–$55 at most Strip resorts), Orlando, Hawaii, Miami, San Diego, New York's 'destination fees'
- How to avoid itElite status and some award stays, hotels that do not charge one, booking through channels that show the all-in price, and disputing the charge for services not delivered
What the fee is and is not
Resort fees (also 'destination fees', 'amenity fees', 'facility fees') are a mandatory daily charge that hotels list separately from the room rate so the advertised price looks lower. They are taxed at a lower rate than the room in some jurisdictions, which is part of the appeal to the hotel. They typically claim to cover Wi-Fi, pool and fitness-centre access, local calls, a newspaper, bottled water and 'printing of boarding passes' — things that were free or included a decade ago.
Where it is worst
Las Vegas invented the modern version: most Strip resorts charge $40–$55 a night plus tax, and parking is a separate fee; Circus Circus and a few off-Strip properties are the exceptions. Orlando's theme-park-area hotels, Hawaii's Waikiki and Maui resorts ($35–$50), Miami Beach, San Diego, Palm Springs and Scottsdale follow. New York's big hotels rebranded it as a 'destination fee' ($25–$45). It is rare in Europe, Asia and Canada; some Caribbean and Mexican resorts have adopted it.
The 2025 rule
In the US, the FTC's Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees (effective May 2025) requires hotels and ticket sellers to display the total price including mandatory fees up front, in any advertised price — the fee can still be charged, but it cannot be hidden until check-out. California's SB 478 (July 2024) went further for hotels selling to Californians. The practical effect: the fee is now visible in search results and on the hotel's site, so comparison is possible.
How to avoid, reduce or dispute
Choose hotels without a fee (the engine shows the all-in rate; sort by total, not headline). Elite status in Hilton (Diamond on award stays), Hyatt (waived on award stays and for Globalists), and Marriott (waived on award stays) removes it in some cases. Book through channels that show the total. At check-in, ask which amenities the fee covers — if the pool or gym is closed or Wi-Fi is down, ask for it to be removed, and dispute with the credit card if refused. In Las Vegas, off-Strip and downtown hotels charge less or nothing.
Booking it
The engine's hotels search and the Las Vegas, Orlando, Honolulu and Miami destination pages show total pricing so the fee is visible before you commit; the all-inclusive resorts in the Resort Collection are, by definition, fee-inclusive. See our best hotels in Las Vegas and things to do in Las Vegas guides for the fee-free options.
Three things to get right
- Sort by total price, never by headline rate.
- Award stays with Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott waive the fee at most properties.
- Ask at check-in what the fee covers — and dispute if it is not delivered.
Book it
Featured destination: Las Vegas — hotels, airport and activities on one engine page.
