My only experience with "Resort Fees" at Choice Hotels is in Las Vegas at the Downtown Grand April 2019 (it was not a Choice hotel but an "Ascend" property) which apparently is no longer in the Choice system so this only applies in part.

When I booked there the "Resort Fee" was disclosed and you were given a total $ before the booking is complete. The fee was not portrayed in the "from $" price listing. For example, if you'd put in "Las Vegas, NV" into the Choice hotel search - for a weeknight a low number like $40 per night will appear- but after all is said and done - you'll owe them around $75 per night (including fee& tax.)

I elected to use points for my stay and they STILL wanted to charge me $22.50 per day "Resort Fee." (yes they DO tell you in ADVANCE of making the booking that you'll owe the fee.) Fris and Sats are quite expensive in Vegas and I figured $22.50 plus tax per night (+10K per night) seemed not the worse deal in the world for what would be $144 cash + resort fee + tax. I kept looking and went elsewhere for less $. I do not know if this practice continues on any other domestic bookings with Choice.

I HATE "Resort Fees" or "Destination Fees" in big cities. It's very customer unfriendly and really a come-on. Charge me what your want for your hotel and I'll decide whether it's a good $value - or go elsewhere, just don't try to con me. They let you know about the fee BEFORE you BOOK, but are disingenuous because the "price" they list at first is just a lie (to get higher in the listings - most people search by price - on Travelocity, Expedia, Hotel dot com and other hotel buying sites.) Caveat emptor always.