Extra, Extra: Resort Amenities Can Be a Surprising Addition to That Big Bill

Feb. 8, 2008 — -- What's better than fending off the pressures of the wintry city with a relaxing stay at a toasty resort with spectacular views, luxurious rooms, tennis, golf and plenty of pools?

Many people cherish these winter getaways as a chance to kick back, chill out and unwind, and they're willing to lay out beaucoup bucks for a room at top-notch hotels such as the Arizona Biltmore. But at $450 a night, wouldn't you think all of the resort's amenities would be included? Well, watch out for the cold snap of hotel fees, says travel expert Chris Elliott.

"Fees are an increasingly large part of every hotel's revenue equation," said Elliot. "They are relying more on these extras and surcharges for turning a profit."

Armed with hidden cameras, "20/20" took a closer look at all the extra fees hotels tack on.

The first fee we encountered at the Arizona Biltmore was a resort charge. It costs an additional $25 a day for things like the daily newspaper, use of the gym and an 18-hole putting green and shuttle service to a nearby mall. Shopping? Keeping up with bad news? Working out? But what if you don't intend to use any of amenities? You're on vacation, after all. Well, even if you just want to splash in the pool, bake in the sun and hang out at the bar, you're stuck with the resort charge all the same.

Every guest who stays on the property receives the resort charge regardless if you use it or not — it's a mandatory charge that everybody receives.

Resort fees at other hotels are even more incredible — including items like pool towels and the in-room safe. Some places even charge for opening the mini bar whether or not you take something out.

And, as "20/20" discovered, some hotels don't even disclose their resort fees until it's too late.

When our producer booked and then checked into the posh Cordillera Inn and Spa in Colorado's ski country, there was no mention of a resort fee. But the bill showed an $11 resort service fee. The staff offered an explanation that was, frankly, to no avail.

"It's just part of our taxes that we charge," said the employee, shrugging. "Um, it goes back to the hotel refurbishing and everything like that. It's just part of the 10 percent tax we charge."

"So it's not some kind of fee I'm paying?" our producer asked.

"No, it's — no," was the response.

But the charge was not a government-imposed tax, it was a 6 percent resort fee paid right to the hotel. And this particular resort fee includes, of all things, maid service. Did you ever hear of a hotel throwing on an additional charge just for cleaning your room?

The hotel later said that the maid service is not for cleaning but the nightly turndown service and that the fee should have been disclosed. They're taking steps to ensure that it is.

"It's very unfair to be charging a resort fee," said Elliot. "They're going to have to pay for the use of all of these amenities and facilities that used to be included in the price of your room."

Back at the Biltmore, where they were upfront about that resort fee, we were still in for a few costly surprises, like the bill for a delectable breakfast tray delivered to the door. It not only included a mandatory 22 percent tip — which we were happy to pay — but also a $4 delivery fee that goes to the hotel, not to the employee.

Then there's the $10 handling fee the hotel's business center charges just for holding a package to be picked up by FedEx, not to mention the $5 fee for sending a two-page fax. And if you're thinking of economizing by parking your own car, many hotels like the Arizona Biltmore now charge for self-parking, even if the only place to park in the vicinity is in its parking lot. No wonder experts say hotels reaped more than $1 billion in fees last year.

But the scariest moment came when we checked out a day early and learned that like many other hotels, the Biltmore has what's called an early departure fee. If you don't give 24 hours notice you are charged a half-day room and tax.

So, what's a savvy resort guest to do? Experts say make sure to ask about any extra fees; read the fine print (and you may have to search for it); watch for early cancellation penalties, because many hotels now require a week's notice; and don't be afraid to challenge hotels about these extra costs, because they sometimes waive them.

The Hyatt Gainey Ranch in Arizona charges a $15 resort fee.

"It's just a mandatory that all our guests pay for all these amenities," said a hotel employee. When we said we didn't want any of those amenities, the charge was removed. So much for mandatory … And so what if I didn't get to stash an iPod in the safe or make local calls on the room phone?

A last word of advice: be sure to enjoy everything an A-list resort has to offer. One way or another, you're probably going to pay for it.