Originally Posted by Happy

I happened to clear up some clusters from previous trips that included some hotel statements.

Among the bills between 2015 and 2016 - here are a few examples below:

Radisson Blu at Milan charged 5 euro per night city tax. A 4 nights award stay incurred 40 euro.

Hilton at FCO charged 3 euro per night city tax, while HIX San Giovanni the city tax is 4 euro.

A Sheraton (now downgraded to a 4P) at Padova, Italy, has 3 euro per person per day on 5 days award stay for a total of 30 euro.

Many Many properties we stayed in the past few years in Europe, all have city taxes charged at check out on award stays. Hotels do NOT pocket those money which go directly to the cities. I dont know the local laws nor have any intention to figure out each city's tax structure - whether a "free" stay incurs city tax or not - but apparently they do as this is charged ACROSS BRANDS AND CHAINS all over Italy, France, Spain as far as I can remember.

Those who have a beef on this, should complain to the local tax authorities instead. This is a gouging to the tourists as tax without representation. No different from in US you get charged various fees at airport rental car rentals including subsidizing building a stadium in some gouging cases. If you dont like it, you dont need to visit those cities. Problem solved.