Marriott Resort Fee
Like many of you, I’m looking to book Marriott stays prior to the massive Bonvoy devaluation in a few weeks. I have some points, but not a huge amount, plus a couple free night certificates from a Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex welcome offer I obtained several months ago. Being Marriott, they manage to have a resort fee for most of the properties where we want to stay. I feel like I was prepared for bad news all over the Marriott site during this search. But I encountered the wackiest resort fee item I’ve ever seen during the search. Get a load of this Marriott resort fee inclusion.
Absurd Resort Fee Wording
I searched the Marriott site for properties in Virginia Beach. I knew the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort opened not too long ago, and I’ve had my eye on checking it out eventually. Upon clicking on the hotel, I was greeted to the following message about the property’s resort fee. I include the ridiculous inclusion first, followed by the full resort fee context:
By staying at this property, guests have to pay over the going room rate for metal detectors?! Why am I paying for the hotel’s security in my resort fee? What’s next, the resort fee covering the cost of the general manager’s business cards?
Then the more natural explanation hit me. Perhaps these are metal detectors to look for hidden treasure along the beach. I wanted to think that’s what the hotel is referring to, but the way Marriott is trending, I didn’t want to believe it.
The topic came up with members of the Miles to Memories Diamond Lounge during a podcast recording a few hours later. Before I knew it, a member confirmed with the hotel that the metal detectors are for beach activities, not security at the property. That’s good news. Still, I feel the site’s wording could be better to avoid confusion about this resort fee. And, it is still the strangest addition to the resort fee I have ever seen.
Conclusion
While viewing this property on the Marriott site, I discovered two other items which didn’t surprise me at all. First, the property wasn’t bookable solely with my free night certificates. Second, the resort fee is increasing from $20 to $30 before our stay. Perhaps I’ll be paying for the fancier metal detectors with the optional genuine leather strap at the $30 rate. Regardless, I now feel our family must take advantage of the metal detectors. I’ll let you know how it goes.
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I’m not sure how you feel about foul language in your comments, so I’ll keep it clean. I abhor resort fees as vehemently as I do TSA security theater, specifically those scanners. Anyway, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau is soliciting public comments on them thru 3/31/22. Click the green button on the right, it’s a quick form.
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/02/02/2022-02071/request-for-information-regarding-fees-imposed-by-providers-of-consumer-financial-products-or
Resort fees have been around for a long time and they ain’t going anywhere, anytime soon. The best one can hope for is the hotel being transparent about them.
For the consumer, it sucks but it’s just the cost of doing business. The only option to avoid is to stay elsewhere that doesn’t charge such fees.
Since these resort fees have been around forever and the hotels aren’t showing any sign of letting them go, it speaks to the fact that folks don’t care enough about them to stay elsewhere…and so the fees live on.
I liken them to most things I think are overpriced, gripe internally for about 3 seconds and I go on with my life because there ain’t a dang thing I can do about it…besides staying at another hotel that you probably hate otherwise you’d have never booked the one with the resort fees to begin with.
2808 Heavy,
You pretty much nailed it!
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STOP. STAYING. AT. PLACES. THAT. PULL. THIS……..Then email the GM and let them know WHY your business (money) went elsewhere. A fair TripAdvisor review also may be in order.
Chris,
I generally agree there. But some chains still charge the resort fee on award stays, including Marriott. Unfortunately, I’m unwilling to redeem at airport Courtyards to prove a point which no one will notice.
The Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando-International Drive/Convention Center in Orlando once listed “Electric Service” as a stated amenity under “For Your Comfort and Convenience”. I was definitely grateful I was not going to have to stay at a non-electric hotel
Thankfully there wasn’t an extra resort fee though…
Dan,
Great point – some of the stuff listed on the room feature list are tremendously basic. I’m waiting for the Marriott that lists “door” as a room feature.
Resort fees are such a ripoff. They’re mob style shakedowns, that are disguised as additional fees so as to not be noticeable until you get the final bill. And the fees NEVER add any value. They’re almost entirely claiming things that would otherwise be covered under your room rate.
I am not a fan of overbearing government regulation of business; however, for this I make an exception. Resort fees should be illegal and punishable by law.
Just find something valuable with the metal detectors so it can offset the cost of the resort fee! 😉
Nathan,
Well played – you should work at the front desk of this hotel. Unfortunately, finding $30 or so would probably eat WAY into our schedule. 😉