Can I Refuse to Pay Resort Fees? Your Rights, Loopholes, and Proven Strategies

Picture this: you’re finally at your dream hotel, suitcase in hand, smiling wide at the check-in desk. Then comes the sting—an unexpected, mandatory daily fee for amenities like Wi-Fi, pool access, or those “complimentary” bottles of water. You never planned to use half the stuff, but you’re facing a plump bill tagged resort fees. Resorts rake in billions with this trick. Guests fume. Is there any real way to wiggle out of paying these mysterious charges?

What Are Resort Fees and Why Do Hotels Charge Them?

Resort fees sound harmless at first—a line item on your bill, usually between $15 and $75 per night. Hotels claim these charges cover perks: fitness centers, beach towels, in-room coffee, early check-in, bottled water, printing your boarding pass, even “free” local calls (in 2025!). Originally, these add-ons showed up mostly in Las Vegas, Florida, and Hawaii, but now big brands everywhere have jumped on the gravy train. Even economy hotels have cooked up their own versions: “urban,” “destination,” or “facility” fees.

Here’s a wild number—according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, U.S. hotels pocketed more than $6.7 billion a year in resort and hidden fees just in recent years, and that figure keeps climbing. The practice shot up after the pandemic as hotels scrambled for new revenue streams. Major hotel groups say these fees are “transparent” and “value-adding,” but let’s be real: most guests see them as sneaky tactics to keep advertised rates appear lower than they really are. This way, hotels can outrank competitors on travel sites where lower nightly rates stand out, but they still claw back extra cash at check-in.

Some places pile on extras: parking, local phone calls, gym access (even if there’s one broken treadmill), pool towels, or “welcome gifts” nobody asked for. The worst part? You can’t opt out, even if you just needed a bed for a quick overnight stay.

Transparency is a sore spot. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) called out hotels back in 2012 for deceptive pricing, but in 2025, little has changed on a national level. A few states now require up-front fee disclosure, but most don’t. So, unless it’s spelled out, you’ll probably only see the resort fee at the last stage of booking—or at checkout, when it’s too late to turn back.

The Legal Side: Can You Actually Refuse to Pay Resort Fees?

This question comes up constantly in travel forums and legal threads. Can you really say, “Nope, I’m not paying that”? The answer depends on fine print and state laws (which, let’s face it, most of us don’t read before plopping on hotel pillows).

If a resort fee was clearly disclosed—like, on your booking page or confirmation email—then hotels treat it as part of the contract. That means if you signed up, you’re basically agreeing to pay. But let’s say you book a room through a discount site or an app, and the fee only pops up at check-in, buried in small type—this is where travelers have pushed back, sometimes successfully. The FTC considers hidden, undisclosed surcharges “drip pricing” and has slapped a few big chains with warnings. In rare cases, guests have skipped these charges if they could prove they weren’t clearly shown at the time of booking.

For instance, in 2024, Marriott settled multiple lawsuits and now must show resort fees in upfront prices—even on third-party booking sites. Hyatt and Hilton followed, at least in some states. But many independent hotels, especially outside California or New York, aren’t so transparent. The upshot: if the fee wasn’t disclosed till you got your bill, you have ground to argue, and you might win—if you’re stubborn enough.

But don’t expect to just walk away from a fee because you didn’t use the gym or never saw the “complimentary” happy hour. Courts tend to view the hotel stay as all-inclusive when it comes to resort fees, even if the “amenities” are dusty or shut for repairs.

Got the itch to make your case? Some states have introduced rules, like Nevada’s S.B. 439 which demands transparent pricing at every step. In New York, it’s illegal for hotels (as of late 2024) to add these fees after an initial booking. But most states still leave the decision—and the confusion—to individual hotels.

Proven Ways Travelers Have Successfully Avoided Resort Fees

Resort fees may seem ironclad, but a surprising number of travelers find clever ways around them. If you want to try your luck (politely), here’s what’s worked for real people:

• Ask Nicely: Politeness is your best weapon. At check-in, ask if the fee can be removed if you don’t plan to use the amenities. Sometimes, front desk staff can help—especially in off-peak seasons or if you’re celebrating something special.
• Elite Status: Loyalty can pay off. Big hotel chains often waive fees for top-tier members, so if you’re a rewards member or have elite status, always ask.
• Point Out Closed Services: If the pool, gym, or breakfast lounge is closed, mention it. Many guests skipped fees when amenities were down for maintenance or due to local restrictions.
• Book Direct: Sometimes, direct bookings show lower fees or even package them into the room rate. Compare before you click.
• File a Dispute: If the fee is truly hidden and wasn’t disclosed until check-in or checkout, you can dispute it with your credit card company. Save screenshots of your booking and documentation of any missing disclosure.
• Packaged Deals: Certain bookings through travel agents or corporate contracts exclude resort fees. Always double-check.
• Ask for an Itemized Charge: If you’re charged for something you definitely didn’t use (like parking when you’re car-free), bring it up at checkout.

It isn’t fun to dispute charges during your vacation. If you choose to fight it, stay cool. Resort staff hear gripes about these fees daily, so you’ll get further with honey than vinegar. Tell them you’re a repeat guest or planning to book a big family reunion—they just might make an exception.

Tech-savvy travelers have started using third-party booking engines that include resort fees in initial search results. Google Hotels, for example, now lets you toggle “show total price,” and Priceline’s app rolled out an “all-in” price mode. It won’t save you from the charge, but at least there are no nasty surprises at check-in.

One tip insiders swear by—avoid hotels that charge extra fees at all. Quieter motels, boutique inns, and B&Bs rarely pile on resort or facilities fees. Real reviews from guests who have tried and succeeded usually mention the type of property, staff attitude, or loyalty status that led to a waiver. Las Vegas is still notorious for stiff fees, so pack some patience if you’re headed for the slots.

The Future of Resort Fees: Crackdowns and Clever Moves

There’s some hope for a future with fewer surprise charges. In 2025, the Biden administration and the FTC floated new rules to require all-in pricing for hotels and short-term rentals. If you’re reading this after August, you might have even seen changes rolling out on the major booking platforms. Hotels could be forced to advertise “total price”—fee included—alongside taxes before you book, instead of tacking surprises at checkout.

But hotels are clever. Some simply rename resort fees as “amenity,” “destination,” or “convenience” fees. Others bundle them in as “mandatory taxes.” It sets off a cat-and-mouse game: lawmakers try to close loopholes, hotels dig new ones. Recent data shows that about 16% of hotels in the United States still sneak in these fees—down from 22% in 2023 but still widespread.

There’s also a trend toward letting guests actually choose their perks. Some hotel chains are piloting a la carte models—skip the gym, pay less; want breakfast, add a bit more. If this catches on, “resort fees” could finally start to fade, or at least become more honest and useful to guests.

Travelers are fighting back in other ways, too. Review sites like TripAdvisor let guests flag fee shenanigans. Some feisty vacationers even keep checklists to compare “true cost per night” across hotels—and share their findings online. The more public outrage grows, the more pressure mounts on hotels to clean up their act.

If you feel like you’re running in circles every time you book a room, you’re not alone. But knowing your rights and how to spot hidden fees (or weed out offending hotels altogether) can help you hang onto more of your travel budget.

How to Protect Yourself: Booking Smarter and Avoiding Fee Shock

So, what’s the best way to dodge or at least limit those annoying fees the next time you travel? Start with these steps before you even hit “reserve.”

1. Compare Total Price, Not Just Nightly Rate: Use hotel search engines that offer “total price” filters, including fees and taxes. Google Hotels and Kayak’s all-in filters give you a closer-to-real bottom line.
2. Book Direct and Read the Small Print: Hotel websites sometimes package fees in, but not always. Read each detail on confirmation pages. Look for phrases like “plus daily resort fee” or “additional charges apply.”
3. Contact the Hotel Directly: Call or chat to ask for the out-the-door price. If possible, ask for an email confirming “no resort or destination fees.” Save this just in case.
4. Avoid Hotspots for Fees: Vegas, Orlando, and Miami are infamous for high resort fees, but there are fee-free chains—Red Roof Inn, Motel 6, some Holiday Inns.
5. Stay Loyal: Using loyalty points or elite status doesn’t always guarantee a waived fee, but it helps. Sometimes upgrades or certain packages subtract the fee altogether.
6. Rebook If Your Fee Jumps: Some hotels change fee policies between your booking and your stay. If the fee balloons, rebook at a different place if you can.
7. Check Recent Guest Reviews: Real travelers on TripAdvisor or Google often mention hidden fees. Someone may even say if they got the fee waived.
8. Travel Off-Peak: Hotels are more willing to compromise or toss in perks for free when business is slow.
9. Document Everything: When battling a fee, documentation is your friend—screenshots, confirmation emails, chat transcripts. A few guests have gotten fees reversed by emailing proof to corporate offices weeks after travel.

Resort fees are probably sticking around for a while, no matter how much travelers grumble. But with the right tools, a bit of persistence, and some charm at the front desk, you can minimize the damage or even get a “lucky” break. Remember, it’s your vacation—don’t let hazy fine print steal your good time.