Destination Fees for NYC hotels?
 

My SPG Ambassador told me today that

"There is a new $50 destination fee for all of New York. This is the same charge that is charged at every hotel no matter the level."

Has anyone else had experience with this? I hadn't heard about it until today!

We were only $25+tax/night for the Marriott Marquis in June and having a quick look at their website just now, its still $25+tax.

That's not accurate. I haven't checked a or stayed at all the NYC properties, but the Chatwal and the Ritz did not have a destination fee. And the fee was $25-35 at other properties where I saw it (a few of the Ws, Westin, the JW Marriott and the Edition, for example). I hate the fees in general, but they usually include an equal value in food and beverage credit, so while I still try to avoid them they aren't that terrible. It's a troubling trend though, and one that may ultimately end up like Hawaii where you pay $60 for all the things that used to be included for free.

My November reservation for the Essex House (JW) states a $25 daily Destination Fee that can be used as a daily food/drink credit or wifi (if needed). So Cheers!

A quick review of any number of Marriott/Starwood properties in NYC show that your SPG Ambassador is incorrect. There are some that are $50, some are $25 and some have no Destination Fee.

Your SPG Ambassador lies.

When will this BS stop? Add the fees into the rates and be done with it. I wish some government consumer protection department would put a stop to this. Complete Scam.

Blame it on the unions. Marriott's Honolulu properties, including legacy SPG, are probably going to suffer a strike soon. The unions, which picketed last week, have authorized a strike. For what it's worth, housekeepers in Hawaii hotels already get like $16 an hour. I wouldn't be surprised if the daily resort fee increases to $30 or $50 to help cover increased labor costs.

At the Sheraton in the Old Town of San Juan, Puerto Rico, you pay an outrageous daily housekeeping fee because, umm, apparently the room rate doesn't have enough profit margin to pay housekeepers.

I can't help feeling this is, um, especially creative. Destinations fees do not exist in any of the world's most unionised countries.

Well, a resort or destination fee is basically 100% pure profit. It offsets the costs of operating, including labor, while keeping nightly rates attractive in booking channels.

As for Europe, in the United Kingdom the fee can't be additional to the room rate:

When enough folks complain some state attorney general, particularly a Democrat one with political aspirations, will take it on. The issue is either not enough of us complain or the ideological and partisanship of the attorney general makes them unlikely to take on business.

Random question/thought - US airlines keep the base fees low but then keep jacking up ancillary revenues, as they aren't subject to the same excise tax (IIRC). So net-net similar revenues but lower taxable base.

Does the same apply here? Are they incented to shift revenue allocation from base rates to resort fees for taxable purposes?

Yup, and they collect resort fees on award stays too. Plus they don't pay out reward points on them either. Ideally, they should make the resort fee >50% of the room revenue. Brilliant! :rolleyes:

Travel brilliantly!

Destinattion Fees are hit and miss in NYC and most likely show up at popular hotels near Times Square, for example.

I stay often near Soho and have bever had this fee (though the taxes add up to nearly $50 per day!).