From the San Jose Mercury News, 12 May 2001.

Hotels accused of hiding new `energy surcharge'

Several hotel chains are accused of concealing from guests a so-called ``energy surcharge'' initiated in the wake of California's energy crisis.

The chains, including Hyatt Corp., Hilton Hotels Corp. and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., were named in suits filed this week in San Francisco County Superior Court.

The suits seek class-action status and allege the chains charge as much as $3.42 extra per night in California for an ``energy surcharge'' without adequately informing guests.

The suits said guests do not learn of the charges -- to offset skyrocketing energy costs -- until checkout time.

Mark Grossman, a senior vice president for Beverly Hills-based Hilton, said the chain does inform customers of the new surcharge implemented last month.