Resort / resident fees at Accor -an unwelcome development
Aug 27, 2018, 12:27 am
#1
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Resort / resident fees at Accor -an unwelcome development
I recently checked-out from Sofitel Washington and saw a new oddity on my invoice : a USD20 "resident fee" is charged every day on top of the rate and applicable taxes. And in fact it was mentioned on my booking at the end (I didn't notice it). Interestingly, you pay some taxes also on this resident fee (USD 2.96).
This is a very bad practice and totally unjustified IMO. This is obviously to cheat the systems and artificially not increase the rates. It reminds me the fuel surcharge of airlines some years ago, surcharges that never disappeared after fuel price went down and was charged in the taxes instead of the airfare.
Open question at that stage :
- is that specific to this hotel or is that a new "Accor thing", or something regional ?
- is that charged per person staying in the room (I can't assess this as I was by myself, but I would tend to say no as my booking below says "per room and per day" but the name of this fee could let us think it is charged per guest) ?
- will we earn points on this fee ? My gut feeling says no...(my points have not posted yet, so I don't know and even when they will post, I will struggle to know as I cannot precisely know the amount of eligible expenses from the details (or lack of) on the invoice).
We should raise our voices against that kind of practices
This is a very bad practice and totally unjustified IMO. This is obviously to cheat the systems and artificially not increase the rates. It reminds me the fuel surcharge of airlines some years ago, surcharges that never disappeared after fuel price went down and was charged in the taxes instead of the airfare.
Open question at that stage :
- is that specific to this hotel or is that a new "Accor thing", or something regional ?
- is that charged per person staying in the room (I can't assess this as I was by myself, but I would tend to say no as my booking below says "per room and per day" but the name of this fee could let us think it is charged per guest) ?
- will we earn points on this fee ? My gut feeling says no...(my points have not posted yet, so I don't know and even when they will post, I will struggle to know as I cannot precisely know the amount of eligible expenses from the details (or lack of) on the invoice).
We should raise our voices against that kind of practices
Aug 27, 2018, 1:00 am
#2
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Sounds very similar to the "urban destination" fee that Marriott has for some New York City properties and "resort fees" charged in Reno and Las Vegas. As they're not part of the room rate, likely not commissionable to travel agents. I looked at Trip Advisor and saw this from last week:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re..._Columbia.html
When I got the bill there was an extra charge of 25 dollars per day. The concept is resident fee for water, internet and “resort” fees. Not optional. I would have had no issue in paying that amount if included in the rate.
Aug 27, 2018, 2:02 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2012
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Those are another name for resort fee. Those are fees charged daily, typically for Las Vegas casino hotels and full board resorts in US vacations places, covering water, fitness center, internet and other costs. Those are not included in the rate and not optional. Those have existed for a while in those places.
Since a few years, in their constant efforts to extort money as much as possible while providing a poor level of service, chains with properties in some locations (NYC, Chicago and apparently Washington) introduce the same concept, with a different name. It was reported Sofitel Chicago jumped on that bandwagon earlier this year, seems Washington too.
I would really like to know if Accor HQ is OK with this and endorse it or if those are hotels going rogue.
Since a few years, in their constant efforts to extort money as much as possible while providing a poor level of service, chains with properties in some locations (NYC, Chicago and apparently Washington) introduce the same concept, with a different name. It was reported Sofitel Chicago jumped on that bandwagon earlier this year, seems Washington too.
I would really like to know if Accor HQ is OK with this and endorse it or if those are hotels going rogue.
Aug 27, 2018, 2:09 am
#4
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Its a way of making the hotel look cheaper than it is, because they can exclude it from the room cost.
The Resort Fee Scam in Washington, DC ? Kill Resort Fees
The Resort Fee Scam in Washington, DC ? Kill Resort Fees
Aug 27, 2018, 8:50 am
#5
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OP - Taking a quick look at the US website, the fee is clearly disclosed next to each room rate. If you booked through the property's website and it was not disclosed there or on your confirmation, I would ask for a refund (and barring that dispute that part of the charge). If it was disclosed and you booked, particularly because one must acknowledge the rate and conditions, it may be an annoying practice, but it is one which you agreed to.
It is always worth a call to a property, in advance, to ask whether it will waive the fee in return for your business. Just be prepared for a "no" and figure out where you want to stay.
It is always worth a call to a property, in advance, to ask whether it will waive the fee in return for your business. Just be prepared for a "no" and figure out where you want to stay.
Aug 28, 2018, 11:34 am
#7
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Aug 28, 2018, 1:26 pm
#9
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Thank you all for your responses. It seems that this madness is spreading around very quickly in US main cities
Now that you say it, I remember this discussion on the forum. I can fear we'll see this in every major US city now. This is really unacceptable.
I would love to hear Accor HQ opinion whether this should be considered as normal practices 
Paging Accorhotelsconcierge !
Exactly. And thanks for sharing this link. Interesting...
Look at my post and screenshot I posted. This fee was clearly mentioned in my booking confirmation, but somewhat "hidden" at the end (and I didn't see it/paid attention). So I have not been cheated by the hotel, but that doesn't mean this practice should be considered as acceptable.
This is NOT acceptable IMO.
And still an open question : is this fee eligible to status points earning. Paging again Accorhotelsconcierge / Amy
Paging Accorhotelsconcierge !
Its a way of making the hotel look cheaper than it is, because they can exclude it from the room cost.
The Resort Fee Scam in Washington, DC ? Kill Resort Fees
The Resort Fee Scam in Washington, DC ? Kill Resort Fees
OP - Taking a quick look at the US website, the fee is clearly disclosed next to each room rate. If you booked through the property's website and it was not disclosed there or on your confirmation, I would ask for a refund (and barring that dispute that part of the charge). If it was disclosed and you booked, particularly because one must acknowledge the rate and conditions, it may be an annoying practice, but it is one which you agreed to.
This is NOT acceptable IMO.
And still an open question : is this fee eligible to status points earning. Paging again Accorhotelsconcierge / Amy
Aug 28, 2018, 4:11 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 253
I would say they are different in nature, the resident fee/resort fee is determined and earned by the hotel itself but the city and local tax in Amsterdam and many other places are set by and will pass on to the government. The hotel has no power over it. Although for sure it will be better if they are already include in the total price when they display it.
Aug 28, 2018, 8:28 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: ALL
Posts: 128
No Resident fee here. It's only the label (which I agree would suggest that it attracts one). Your booking in AMS attracts 6% of VAT at reduced rate (vs. 21% normal VAT on items such as F&B and parking) and 6% of City and local taxes.
Mar 3, 2019, 10:02 am
#13
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Resort fees at Accor -an unwelcome development
- Name of the hotel: Fairmont Boston
- What is your Le Club status? Platinum
- Were you (or for multi-stayers were you generally) happy with the hotel/stay? Yes although status benefits poor.
- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive? Booked Signature room, received Signature Room
- How are the rooms? Large room overlooking Copley Plaza, two walk in wardrobes, small but nicely appointed bathroom with shower/bath combo although bath tub small even by US standards.
- What was good and what was bad?
Good:
Great location in Back Bay
Gold lounge staff
Bad:
Poor status recognition
- Did you get club lounge access? How was the lounge? Gold room booked. Evening canapés varied each evening. Honour Bar available if required. Limited but good breakfast in lounge, 3 hot dishes each morning also varied each morning.
- What about welcome drinks, welcome amenities or any other special perks? Drink voucher issued at checking for soft drinks only due to state law. Voucher for one drink only despite two guests. Informed voucher only issued for card holder. Challenged and referred to Le club standards. Staff said they had been instructed to issue for card holder only but would extend to both guests and escalate my observation to management. Welcome amenity of plate of cheeses, grapes, biscuits and chutney. Received email two day prior to arrival advising as platinum eligible for complimentary Premium WIFI, early check in / late check out etc. On arrival informed $25 per day facility fee applicable to cover "Premium WIFI, evening turndown, free local calls, complimentary bicycle use and a single $25 F & B credit per stay (3 day stay so $75 charge). Discussed with Gold staff that all items in "Facility Fee" were Platinum or Gold benefits so $75 fee was for a $25 F & B credit. Staff said they agreed 100% with my observation but it was hotel policy. On check out the Gold level manager informed me she would waive the $75 facility fee and she hoped the hotel would shortly stop charging it for loyal guess staying on the Gold floor as it was a fee providing items which should be complimentary on gold floor for platinum guests.
- Value for $ or Vouchers? Would you return? Yes, enjoyed the stay, Status recognition poor, staff conceded it was poor and made appropriate corrections. Hopefully hotel will make appropriate corrections in first instance for future guests.
- What is your Le Club status? Platinum
- Were you (or for multi-stayers were you generally) happy with the hotel/stay? Yes although status benefits poor.
- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive? Booked Signature room, received Signature Room
- How are the rooms? Large room overlooking Copley Plaza, two walk in wardrobes, small but nicely appointed bathroom with shower/bath combo although bath tub small even by US standards.
- What was good and what was bad?
Good:
Great location in Back Bay
Gold lounge staff
Bad:
Poor status recognition
- Did you get club lounge access? How was the lounge? Gold room booked. Evening canapés varied each evening. Honour Bar available if required. Limited but good breakfast in lounge, 3 hot dishes each morning also varied each morning.
- What about welcome drinks, welcome amenities or any other special perks? Drink voucher issued at checking for soft drinks only due to state law. Voucher for one drink only despite two guests. Informed voucher only issued for card holder. Challenged and referred to Le club standards. Staff said they had been instructed to issue for card holder only but would extend to both guests and escalate my observation to management. Welcome amenity of plate of cheeses, grapes, biscuits and chutney. Received email two day prior to arrival advising as platinum eligible for complimentary Premium WIFI, early check in / late check out etc. On arrival informed $25 per day facility fee applicable to cover "Premium WIFI, evening turndown, free local calls, complimentary bicycle use and a single $25 F & B credit per stay (3 day stay so $75 charge). Discussed with Gold staff that all items in "Facility Fee" were Platinum or Gold benefits so $75 fee was for a $25 F & B credit. Staff said they agreed 100% with my observation but it was hotel policy. On check out the Gold level manager informed me she would waive the $75 facility fee and she hoped the hotel would shortly stop charging it for loyal guess staying on the Gold floor as it was a fee providing items which should be complimentary on gold floor for platinum guests.
- Value for $ or Vouchers? Would you return? Yes, enjoyed the stay, Status recognition poor, staff conceded it was poor and made appropriate corrections. Hopefully hotel will make appropriate corrections in first instance for future guests.
This is a roberry for every guest, but at least several chains are waiving this fee for their top tier members. What is Accor waiting to act on this ?
Mar 3, 2019, 11:32 am
#14
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Lower taxes -> lower costs of room provision -> one would expect the hotel and guests to share/split the benefit from the cost saving.
Obviously, another factor is that fees make hotel prices less transparent. Still, I think it's an oversimplification to state resort fees = robbery.
Mar 3, 2019, 11:44 am
#15
Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL
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As has been discussed elsewhere on FT, this is actually not a robbery of guests. In the US, resort fees are treated differently from the room rate for tax purposes: The hotel has to pay less taxes on resort fees.
Lower taxes -> lower costs of room provision -> one would expect the hotel and guests to share/split the benefit from the cost saving.
Obviously, another factor is that fees make hotel prices less transparent. Still, I think it's an oversimplification to state resort fees = robbery.
Lower taxes -> lower costs of room provision -> one would expect the hotel and guests to share/split the benefit from the cost saving.
Obviously, another factor is that fees make hotel prices less transparent. Still, I think it's an oversimplification to state resort fees = robbery.