The Dreaded Resort Fees
If a hotel says "Rates from $29" what that might actually mean is "Rates from $29 plus a well-masked fee of $14.99". Woah! So now your room is 50% more expensive than the hotel advertised? The difference is the dreaded "Resort Fee". It is mandatory, but never totally explained.
For the most part, the fees are hidden in fine print, or in "Terms and Conditions" that you have to click through to read. In some cases, we couldn't find any fee explanations on the hotel web sites, so we had to write and ask. On almost all sites, they don't even add them in when they give you a "total" cost for a requested reservation.
What do you get for your "Resort Fee"? In almost all cases, nothing you don't get included in the basic rate at a Super 8 or Holiday Inn. Some give you wireless internet access, whether you want it or not. Before "Resort Fees", you had the option to buy it, and usually for less. At some hotels you'll also get things like free incoming faxes and a gift shop discount. The fees are also explained by the resorts as a way to cover the cost of free self-parking, lounge entertainment, energy, pool access and pool towels.
Below is a comprehensive list of the hotels in Las Vegas that charge resort fees. Be sure to factor in these extra fees before you book a room at any of these hotels.
Don't be surprised when you see the resort fee on your bill when you checkout! It'll cost you $11.99 per night to stay at Rumor Boutique Vegas. Before you blow up on the innocent concierge, keep in mind the resort fee is how you get free Wi-Fi access in your room and other hotel amenities.
There is a $4.50 resort fee per night per accommodation. We would praise them for the low amount, but then again, why not just make it free? It's not like this place is a Las Vegas Strip resort.
Santa Fe Station Las Vegas has a resort fee of $14.55 per night. You get wired and wireless Internet, local and domestic long distance calls, daily paper, copy and fax services. The Stations also say you get a gift shop discount.
Silverton Hotel and Casino Las Vegas charges $7.50 a night, which includes local phone calls, use of fitness center, airport and shuttle service, and use of the in-room safe.
Included in the total price of the room. That makes us happy because then we don't have to do math to figure out how large the hole in our wallet will be.
Suncoast Hotel Las Vegas charges a whopping $5 a night for local phone calls, a weekday newspaper, use of the pool and fitness center, the airport shuttle, in room coffee, and self parking. $5 gets you a long ways here!
The Sunset Station Vegas resort fee is $14.99 per night. You can enjoy wireless Internet, local and domestic long distance calls, fitness center access, a daily paper, copy and fax service at the Sunset Station Hotel and Casino Las Vegas.
A resort fee is already included in the total price, so you're not necessarily getting charged any extra, because you've already been charged extra.
Texas Station Gambling Hall and Hotel Las Vegas is $12.99 per night, which gives you Internet access, and limited local and long-distance calling. You can call some Texans and see if they think Las Vegas is representing them well.
The D Vegas Hotel doesn't charge a resort fee.
$25 per night. You get Internet access, fitness center access, a daily paper, robes in your room, notary service (you know how often you use that on vacation), printing of boarding passes, faxes, local and toll-free calls.
Resort fees are $5 /night. You get a coffeemaker in the room, local and toll-free calls, ten minutes of Internet access in the business center and fitness center access.
The Palms Las Vegas charges a $20 a night resort fee which includes...nothing to speak of. It doesn't include Internet, so if you want that you still have to pay an additional charge.
Yikes! The The Quad Resort and Casino Las Vegas now charges a resort fee as of March 1st, 2013. Of course, the location and prices make it a great hotel but it never really was a "resort" to begin with, was it?
$25 a night gets you Internet access at the The Signature at MGM Grand Vegas, even with Las Vegas Suites. Call all your local pals, hit the gym and get bottled water and coffee in your room.
$25 a night gets you Internet access at the The Signature at MGM Grand Vegas, local phone calls, use of the fitness center and a decent amount of in-room bottled water and coffee.
The Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino Las Vegas charges a $20 resort fee per night per accommodation. Fiddlesticks. The Venetian resort fee includes access to the Canyon Ranch Fitness center, internet, local & toll-free phone calls, daily newspaper, printing for boarding pass, one coffee at Cafe Presse, two-for-one well drink, wine, or domestic beer at La Scena, Laguna, Fusion, Oculus or Salute Lounges.
Travelodge Las Vegas Center Strip is just about the last place that would (or could) charge resort fees. And would you look at that, complimentary Internet access is still provided!
A steep $25 resort fee per accommodation, per day. This covers Internet access in your guestroom, local phone calls, limited faxing, daily newspapers, fitness center access, and other things you probably won't even use.
The Tropicana Hotel and Casino Las Vegas has a resort fee of $19.99. This includes using the phone, fax machine, fitness center, 50% off drinks from the Tropicana Bar from 4-6 pm, 2 bottled waters, and creeping out pool-goers in your free time with a lobster-esque sunburn.
The Vdara Las Vegas CityCenter Resort has a fee of $25 per night. This includes phone calls, free newspaper, Internet in guest rooms, in-room bottled water, and use of the fitness center.
Hahaha yeah right! Resort fee for what?
$20 per night. You get self-parking, access to the steam-room and sauna, pool access, fitness center access, boarding pass printing, incoming faxes, public notary, local calls and two bottles of water.
$4.99 per night. It provides no information and lumps it in as "taxes".
Wynn Resort and Casino Las Vegas fee is $25/night- Internet access, local phone calls and long-distance, use of the fitness center.
