HotelChatter - Tag: Hidden Hotel Fees

Have You Been Charged For Drinking the Coffee In Your Hotel Room?

Jenna — 2009-05-27T09:34:30-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6929/lemeridiencoffee.jpg" class="top"> In this turbulent, unpredictable world, there are a few constants that we've always known to be dependable and unchangeable: the sun will always rise. And when it does, we'll want coffee and if we don't get it, we get surly. These have and will always be the case, no matter what happens. One thing we also thought to be a constant that is apparently maybe not so much anymore? That the coffee we need so desperately in the A.M. will be free in our hotel rooms. Yeah: maybe not. On his blog, travel expert <a href="http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/">Chris Elliott heard from</a> a disgruntled hotel guest who stayed at the <A href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Intercontinental+The+Barclay+New+York/local/798">Barclay InterContinental </a>in NYC. She was disgruntled not

Chicago: Sheraton Chicago is So Over Hidden Fees

juliana — 2009-04-21T17:29:26-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/she196gr.59053_md.jpg" class="top"> It's no secret that hotel guests hate being nickel and dimed for everything during their stay so it's refreshing to see that the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Sheraton+Chicago+Hotel+And+Towers/ian/129013">Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers</a> has begun to offer a No Hidden Fees package.<blockquote>Starting at just $119 per night, travelers will receive high-speed Internet access, unlimited domestic calls, valet parking and access to the state-of-the-art fitness center. Offer is valid for travel now through September 7, 2009 and must be booked by June 30. These inclusions, when priced separately, save guests a minimum of $75 per day! </blockquote>This deal is actually offered in partnership with AAA and you must be a AAA member to take advantage of the perks. The rate of $119

Hidden Hotel Fees Becoming the Norm, Says Boston Globe

KatieK — 2009-04-07T11:21:47-05:00

<![CDATA[<img align="right" src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/3/hc_reader_deals.jpg"> Clearly, we dont like <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Hidden%20Hotel%20Fees">hidden hotel fees</a>, whether were being charged for <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Hotel%20WiFi">Wi-Fi</a> or <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/4/6/1763/97396/hotels/Is_a_Surprise_Hotel_Fitness_Fee_Worse_Than_a_Steep_WiFi_Charge_">workouts</a>. So were not particularly thrilled that such fees seem to be a growing trend. Though airlines have gotten a lot of flack for charging for longtime standards like food and pillows, the <a href="http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/04/01/if_you_stay_youre_going_to_pay/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed7">Boston Globe reports</a> that travel industry analysts say the other giant in the travel game - the hotel industry - has become even worse at adding on miscellaneous fees and surcharges. In fact, 2007 was the peak year for the introduction of add-on hotel fees, according to the article, and last year US hotels pretty much made bank, raking in a record $1.75 billion revenue (via

Chicago: Is a Surprise Hotel Fitness Fee Worse Than a Steep WiFi Charge?

JetSetCD — 2009-04-07T09:13:22-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6193/PalmerFitnessFee.jpg" class="top"> Just when we thought paying for <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/hotel wifi">WiFi</a> to be the worst of hotel extra evils, a reader has reminded us of yet another devil in the details: additional charges for using the hotel's gym. Calling out Chicago's <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Palmer+House+Hilton/ian/151856">Palmer House Hilton</a> in particular, our tipster uncovers more than just the fee, but also the lack of signage regarding it: <blockquote>Just discovered -- the Palmer House charges $18 (!!) for guests to use their fitness center. I'm sure it's lovely, but at the news of $18 I turned around and left. Outrageous on several levels: the price (although I wouldn't pay anything) and the fact that there was absolutely no clue until I walked and found

MSNBC Says You Should Fight Hidden Hotel Fees with Aggression, Obnoxiousness

Jenna — 2008-08-12T10:40:54-05:00

A disgruntled hotel guest wrote in to MSNBC Travel Columnist Christopher Elliott, complaining about a $50.00 hidden hotel fee (oy - typical) and asked him for advice on how to get said fee refunded.

His answer? Don't take it lying down.

He advises the traveler to simply refuse to take no for an answer -- which is kind of obnoxious, really, but good advice.