Originally Posted by
FliesFromCanada
I wouldn’t expect free place settings when I wasn’t buying room service. (I bring my own.) But that being said, the Hilton seems especially notorious for extra charges.
When I was young and naïve and staying in cheap motels, I figured if I paid more for a hotel room, I’d get more. Imagine my rude awakening at my first conference at a Hilton when Internet was $20 per night. And yes, they had a health club but if I wanted to use it that was another $20 resort fee per night. Those free breakfasts I’d gotten used to were also $20/person. And did I want my boarding pass printed? $3.50, please.
How did the Hilton end up as the hotel equivalent of Ryanair?
In all fairness to Hilton, they aren't the only chain guilty of this. It's a full service hotel thing. Every Marriott and Intercontinental I've been to in the last couple years has charged for the internet, the fitness center, and a myriad of other services.
I've decided that full service hotels are out to nickel and dime the businessman, their primary customer. They can rationalize these charges since the companies paying for "the businessman" will cover these charges. Budget properties give these services away for free since more of their business is family oriented. Families have budgets and won't spring for these services. Pay internet wouldn't generate much revenue and might even drive away business.