I booked a hotel room for $89 a night once. Felt pretty good about it. Then I checked out and the bill was $147. The difference was a $35 resort fee, a $12 parking fee even though I hadn’t parked, and a $6 “destination fee” that nobody could clearly explain. I paid it because I was tired and had a flight to catch. I’ve thought about it almost every time I’ve booked a hotel since.
Hotels have gotten remarkably creative about finding ways to charge more than the rate you saw when you booked. Here are the eleven most common ones, and how to avoid each of them.
1. Resort Fees
The most notorious of all hotel add-ons. A mandatory daily charge, anywhere from $15 to $50 or more per night, that supposedly covers amenities like pool access, gym use, WiFi, and a newspaper nobody asked for. The kicker is that these amenities are often included regardless, and the fee is mandatory even if you use none of them. Always search for the total price including fees, not just the nightly rate. Some booking sites (TripAdvisor, Kayak) let you filter for total price. Others don’t. Always check the hotel’s website directly.
2. Destination Fees
Resort fees with a fancier name. Common in urban hotels that aren’t technically resorts but still want to charge you one. Sometimes includes local attraction discounts or credits, occasionally those credits are worth using, more often they aren’t. Always ask exactly what a destination fee includes before accepting it as inevitable.
3. Parking Fees
In cities, hotel parking can run $30-$60 per night. Always look for nearby public garages or lots before booking. In many cities they’re half the hotel’s rate. Some hotels will match or reduce the parking fee if you ask directly, especially if you’re a loyalty member or the hotel has low occupancy.
4. WiFi Fees
Less common than they used to be, but still around especially in older business hotels. Always check before booking. If a hotel charges for WiFi separately, factor that into the actual nightly cost. Your phone’s hotspot is free.
5. Early Check-In and Late Check-Out Fees
Standard check-in is typically 3pm, check-out around 11am or noon. Arrive early or need to leave late? Some hotels charge $25-$50 for the privilege. Ask nicely when you arrive, if the room is ready and occupancy is low, many front desk staff will accommodate early check-in at no charge. Loyalty program members almost always get this as a standard perk.
6. Minibar Restocking Fees
This one gets people without their knowledge. Some hotels charge a restocking fee simply because you moved items in the minibar to make room for your own stuff, even if you didn’t consume anything. Ask the front desk when you check in whether the minibar is motion-sensor activated and whether there’s a restocking fee. Then just don’t touch it.
7. Safe Rental
Some hotels charge a daily fee to use the in-room safe. It shows up as a small charge , $1.50 to $3 per day, that’s easy to miss on your bill. You often don’t need to use it. If you don’t, request that the charge be removed at checkout.
8. Housekeeping Fees
A relatively recent one. Some hotels now charge for daily housekeeping if you opt in, framing it as an environmental choice to skip it by default. Fine if you don’t mind going without, but check whether the fee applies automatically and whether the alternative actually saves you anything.
9. Pool and Gym Access
At some hotels, not all facilities are included in the room rate. Confirm which amenities are included when you book, not when you show up in your swimsuit.
10. Cancellation Fees
Not exactly hidden, but frequently misunderstood. Cancellation policies vary enormously, some hotels are fully refundable up to 24 hours out, others charge one night’s stay the moment you book. Read the policy before you confirm. For trips where plans might change, pay the slightly higher rate for a refundable room. It’s almost always worth it.
11. “Incidental” Holds
Not a fee exactly, but worth knowing. Hotels place a temporary hold on your credit card at check-in, often $50 to $200 per night, to cover potential incidentals. This ties up your available credit for the duration of your stay. It’s released at checkout, but it can take a few business days. If you’re traveling on a tight budget, factor this in. Paying with a debit card instead of a credit card can cause real problems if the hold exceeds your available balance.
How to Fight Back
The most effective tool is simply asking. Call the hotel directly before you book and ask what fees apply beyond the room rate. Get the answer in writing if possible, a confirmation email that lists only the nightly rate and taxes, with no mention of a resort fee, is a useful document at checkout. If fees appear on your bill that weren’t disclosed, politely dispute them. Hotels often remove fees that weren’t clearly communicated upfront, especially if you’re calm about it and can show you weren’t informed.
Booking through the hotel’s own website or calling directly also gives you more leverage than booking through a third party, where the hotel feels less obligated to accommodate you.
