Originally Posted by
JIMCHI
Does anyone know what the 5% surcharge is actually for other than just increasing the room rate? I am going to be paying $550 a night for a basic room. They are crazy if they think I'm going to pay even a penny more.
In theory it's for all the service you receive in the hotel from the doorman, to the breakfast staff, to the concierge, to the people cleaning your room....even if in most cases they are either always busy with other guests, or are missing entirely due to staff cutbacks.
If you have ever stayed at a 4 or 5 star hotel anywhere in eastern asia, you'll know that "service" in west sucks big time in comparison to the amazing way they treat guests in the east. Refuse to pay it in the west without any feelings of guilt.