I spent two nights this past weekend at the Westin in Waltham, Mass, and while dialing to the bell desk to have my car brought around for check-out, I noticed on the phone that the Westin charged something like $2.95 for a local car plus a $0.10 per minute surcharge. There were far more significant prices for long distance calls.

I don't know that I've ever made a call from a hotel phone in my life (to a number outside of the hotel); especially so now that we all have cell phones.

It got me to thinking - does anyone ever make local calls from the phone in a hotel where there are these ridiculous charges for both local and long distance calls? Even if you're there on OPM, in a situation where it doesn't matter to you or the person(s) paying for your room, why would anyone ever pay such a high price for a simple call whether it be for business or to order a pizza?

And if so, why?

Also, why do hotels charge so much for local calls? Is this pure profit? If I make a local call from a Westin in Waltham, Mass (or anywhere) is there any cost to the hotel? The phone system is already there...in 2015 how in the world can a hotel charge me so much for such a simple task?