Earlier this year I made reservations at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk hotel for nights in September. Reviewing my reservations on-line at the Marriott site recently, I discovered that effective in May (after I made the reservations) they have added a "destination fee" of $20 per night plus tax.

What is this? I searched the Marriott Bonvoy site and could find no reference to any such thing. Finally, I called the Marriott customer service number, and the CSR also had never heard of such a "fee".

Further, the reservations are award reservations (one a CC free night, and the others "points paid") I had understood that "free" nights were indeed supposed to be "free" -- unless you ordered something like a crib or other "bespoke" changes to the basic room. And also supposed to be tax-free.

Can anyone give me a link to where these "destination fees" are set out or explained by Marriott? Why are they imposing this charge on award rooms, and what (if anything) does one get for this? It isn't like this hotel is a resort or anything.