Dec 5, 2015, 1:23 pm
Last edit by: jumpdogjump
This is a list of non-resort properties that currently charge a daily facilities fee or resort fee. These mandatory fees are for questionable services, some of which are already included as free benefits for SPG Gold and Platinum members, SPG American Express cardholders, and/or other guests. These duplicate services are colored in red.
CALIFORNIA
The Park Central San Francisco
Fee (Per Night): $44 USD (effective 5/1/17)
Includes:
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica
Fee (Per Night): $18 USD
Includes:
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Fee (Per Night): $19 USD - waived for Plats. [See post #92.]
Includes:
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
FLORIDA
Four Points by Sheraton Orlando Studio City
Fee (Per Night): $13.33 USD
Includes:
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
GEORGIA
Sheraton Atlanta Airport Hotel
Fee (Per Night): $9.95 USD
Includes:
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: The fee is waived.
ILLINOIS
Westin Chicago Northwest
Fee (Per Night): $10 USD
Includes:
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
NEVADA
Westin Las Vegas
Fee (Per Night): $24.99 USD (plus $3.00 tax)
Includes:
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: The HSIA fee - $12.99 (tax included) - will be waived by the front desk at check-in for members who already receive this benefit. If it is not offered, politely request it.
NEW YORK
Le Parker Meridien New York
Fee (Per Night): $15 USD
Includes:
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
Sheraton At The Falls Hotel
Fee (Per Night): $9.95 USD
Includes:
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
PUERTO RICO
Sheraton Old San Juan hotel
Fee (Per Night): 16%
Includes:
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino
Fee (Per Night): 16%
Includes:
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
TENNESSEE
Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel
Fee (Per Night): $12 USD
Includes:
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
CALIFORNIA
The Park Central San Francisco
Fee (Per Night): $44 USD (effective 5/1/17)
Includes:
- Unlimited wired and wireless High Speed Internet Access for up to five devices
- Unlimited local and 1-800 phone calls
- In-room bottled water
- In-room Starbucks® coffee
- Luggage storage
- 24-hour fitness center access
- 8 USD discount at Equinox Fitness Center (27 USD instead of 35 USD)
- Weekly guided morning runs
- Complimentary bicycle rental on a first-come, first-served basis
- 3 USD off an adult ticket at the California Academy of Sciences
- 5 USD off a 48-hour adult ticket on City Sightseeing’s Hop On Hop Off Double Decker Bus
- Shopping discounts (please ask the Concierge for details)
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica
Fee (Per Night): $18 USD
Includes:
- Premium wireless High Speed Internet Access for unlimited devices
- Local and toll-free 800 calls
- Newspaper
- Sparkling welcome drink
- One in-room bottled water
- illy coffee daily
- Wellness classes offered three times per week
- Local shuttle service within a two-mile radius of the hotel
- Four hours of bicycle rental
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Fee (Per Night): $19 USD - waived for Plats. [See post #92.]
Includes:
- In-room High Speed Internet Access
- Local and long-distance phone calls
- Access to tennis facilities
- One-hour rental of a bicycle, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
FLORIDA
Four Points by Sheraton Orlando Studio City
Fee (Per Night): $13.33 USD
Includes:
- Complimentary Parking
- Wi-Fi
- Scheduled transportation to area theme parks
- Local and 1-800 calls
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
GEORGIA
Sheraton Atlanta Airport Hotel
Fee (Per Night): $9.95 USD
Includes:
- Basic wireless Internet access
- Local, 800, and directory-assisted calls
- Up to 10 pages of photocopies
- Outgoing faxes
- Shuttle service within a 5-mile radius of the hotel
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: The fee is waived.
ILLINOIS
Westin Chicago Northwest
Fee (Per Night): $10 USD
Includes:
- Overnight self parking
- Daily newspaper Monday through Friday
- One bottle of water
- Local and 1-800 calls
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
NEVADA
Westin Las Vegas
Fee (Per Night): $24.99 USD (plus $3.00 tax)
Includes:
- High-speed Wi-Fi internet access
- Unlimited local toll-free and domestic long distance telephone calls to all 50 states
- Valet and self-parking
- Use of our Hibiscus Spa's sauna and steam room
- Access to our pool, whirlpool and Westin Workout Gym
- Boarding pass printing
- Incoming faxes
- Public notary
- Two bottles of water per guestroom
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: The HSIA fee - $12.99 (tax included) - will be waived by the front desk at check-in for members who already receive this benefit. If it is not offered, politely request it.
NEW YORK
Le Parker Meridien New York
Fee (Per Night): $15 USD
Includes:
- Wired or Wireless High Speed Internet Access for multi-devices in guestrooms, the lobby, restaurants and the bar.
- Unlimited use of Gravity Fitness Center.
- Unlimited use of the penthouse pool.
- Unlimited toll free and local calls from your in room phone.
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
Sheraton At The Falls Hotel
Fee (Per Night): $9.95 USD
Includes:
- One bottle of water per day
- Parking
- Unlimited wireless High Speed Internet Access
- 50 USD casino slot voucher for a maximum of two guests: 25 USD per guest; one use per day; 50 USD minimum wager required
- Refrigerator or microwave (subject to availability)
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
PUERTO RICO
Sheraton Old San Juan hotel
Fee (Per Night): 16%
Includes:
- High Speed Internet Access
- Two complimentary bottle of water per room
- Free domestic calls
- Complimentary fruit at front desk
- Access to the Sheraton Fitness Center
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino
Fee (Per Night): 16%
Includes:
- High Speed Internet Access
- Daily English-language newspaper
- One complimentary bottle of water per room
- Toll-free phone calls
- Pool chaise chairs
- Access to the Sheraton Fitness Center
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
TENNESSEE
Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel
Fee (Per Night): $12 USD
Includes:
- Wireless High Speed Internet Access
- Local and 800-Number calls
- Incoming faxes
- Outgoing domestic faxes
- Newspapers
ALTERNATE/REPLACEMENT AMENITY: TBD.
Non-resort properties charging a 'Facilities Fee'
Dec 4, 2015, 4:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 13
Non-resort properties charging a 'Facilities Fee'
Anybody else getting perturbed by the proliferation of "Facilities Fees" Starwood has started imposing at some of their urban properties? This no doubt grew out of the "Resort Fees" that started popping up about 15 years - which this charge was questionable it did provide some benefits like beach chairs/cabanas. golf club valet, valet parking, etc.
But this fee has no business in urban properties, particularly for what you get - even more particularly as a Platinum SPG member. I recently booked a "staycation" at the Park Central SF (looking forward to seeing the rebranding from the Westin) and am being hit with a $25 facilities fee. For BS things like internet (free to Gold/Plat members), bottled water (free to Gold/Plat members), gym access (should be free), in room coffee (REALLY???). And some more BS stuff they claim to be "a $100 value."
These fees leave patrons feeling "nickeled and dimed" and worse - it diminishes the value of the SPG Loyalty Program. At a minimum, they should programmatically waive this fee for their most loyal guests as they have figured how to do with internet (usually).
But this fee has no business in urban properties, particularly for what you get - even more particularly as a Platinum SPG member. I recently booked a "staycation" at the Park Central SF (looking forward to seeing the rebranding from the Westin) and am being hit with a $25 facilities fee. For BS things like internet (free to Gold/Plat members), bottled water (free to Gold/Plat members), gym access (should be free), in room coffee (REALLY???). And some more BS stuff they claim to be "a $100 value."
These fees leave patrons feeling "nickeled and dimed" and worse - it diminishes the value of the SPG Loyalty Program. At a minimum, they should programmatically waive this fee for their most loyal guests as they have figured how to do with internet (usually).
Dec 4, 2015, 5:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Feels like resort fees to me. The question is which property? Some properties (Hawaii, Scottsdale and Miami beach etc) charge these fees and will not waive them even for PLAT.
Dec 4, 2015, 5:38 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
There oughtta' be a law...
Seriously, I think we should petition Congress for a law requiring all non-optional fees be included in room prices.
None of this small print BS. If you can't refuse the fee, it is part of the posted basic room rate. Period.
Seriously, I think we should petition Congress for a law requiring all non-optional fees be included in room prices.
None of this small print BS. If you can't refuse the fee, it is part of the posted basic room rate. Period.
Dec 4, 2015, 5:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Dec 4, 2015, 5:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
I recently booked a "staycation" at the Park Central SF (looking forward to seeing the rebranding from the Westin) and am being hit with a $25 facilities fee. For BS things like internet (free to Gold/Plat members), bottled water (free to Gold/Plat members), gym access (should be free), in room coffee (REALLY???). And some more BS stuff they claim to be "a $100 value."
Dec 4, 2015, 6:59 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,171
Heck, even the Sheraton Nashville (!) charges a $10 resort fee, for reasons that boggle me
Dec 4, 2015, 7:07 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Dec 4, 2015, 7:07 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
Posts: 3,737
MANDATORY CHARGE POLICY
A daily facility fee of 10 USD applies to all stays. This fee includes:
Wireless High Speed Internet Access
Local and 800-Number calls
Incoming faxes
Outgoing domestic faxes
Newspapers
A daily facility fee of 10 USD applies to all stays. This fee includes:
Wireless High Speed Internet Access
Local and 800-Number calls
Incoming faxes
Outgoing domestic faxes
Newspapers
Dec 4, 2015, 7:11 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The FTC has declined to get involved as long as the property discloses the fees.
If the fees are disclosed and they bug you, vote with your feet and stay at a property which doesn't charge them. If you decide to accept the fee, well ---- you've decided to accept the fee.
If it's not disclosed, then there's an issue.
Otherwise, this is the same old tired thread again and again and again.
If the fees are disclosed and they bug you, vote with your feet and stay at a property which doesn't charge them. If you decide to accept the fee, well ---- you've decided to accept the fee.
If it's not disclosed, then there's an issue.
Otherwise, this is the same old tired thread again and again and again.
Dec 4, 2015, 11:25 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Liftime Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 1,752
Sometimes you gotta wonder what these hotels are thinking. I would rather they just roll it into the room rate and not separate it out as a line item. If I have the choice of two hotels around the same price, I will choose the one without the resort fee.
Dec 4, 2015, 11:44 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
Aye, there's the rub. They expect you not to notice the fee and choose them because they appear a little cheaper or the same price. It works once, then pisses people off and they don't return.
Dec 5, 2015, 1:18 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
a big part of fees is static analysis - i remember one hotel company told investors that every $1 increase in average daily rate (ADR) translated to about $10 million increase in EBITDA
i think the places where fees avoided taxes have caught up so thats no longer the case, although it may still depend on how the fee is worded? like taxes on service charges, yet only some but not all resort/facilities fees?
i think the places where fees avoided taxes have caught up so thats no longer the case, although it may still depend on how the fee is worded? like taxes on service charges, yet only some but not all resort/facilities fees?
Dec 5, 2015, 6:57 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
I haven't stayed at the Park Central nor have I booked any of my coworkers there since they starting charging the fee. That said, San Francisco hotels have been raking in the cash this year, so they may not yet feel the pain of pissing off their customers.
Dec 5, 2015, 7:53 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
LaSalle Hotels
Not surprisingly, the Park Central SF is owned by LaSalle Hotel Properties, which recently instituted facilities fees at the 7 or so DC Kimpton properties they own.
They also own a few other Starwood properties- the Westin Philadelphia, Boston Copley, and Chicago Magnificent Mile. Keep an eye on these properties to see if the fees continue to spread.
They also own a few other Starwood properties- the Westin Philadelphia, Boston Copley, and Chicago Magnificent Mile. Keep an eye on these properties to see if the fees continue to spread.
Dec 5, 2015, 8:22 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
I see this as a maneuver around price rankings by room rate, and smacking people who don't do their homework work on rate details. (Have you checked the added fees - the composition remains a mystery - on a Priceline Express Deals transaction lately?)
Hotel transactions are largely regulated at the state level. Write to the state AG or congressman - in hopes or overcoming hotel lobby and property owner campaign donations.
