Confused about increase in taxes at Double Tree Suites.

[disneyerin]

Hi Everyone.
A week back I booked a "Queen Suite Pool View" at Double Tree.
The total amount (including $16 dollars for an upper floor request) came to $1224.98
The tax they added on was $222.89

Then I realized I had booked the wrong room (wanted 2 room suite) and called them to change it. They canceled my original reservation and set me up with a new one.

Total amount for second reservation is $1,232.00
The tax added on was $552.05.

Anyone know what the extra tax night be for? Are they being sneaky and hope I won't notice it?

Also, if I need to talk to Customer Service about this would I call the 800 number or the hotel directly?

 

[DizMe]

Hotel taxes are high in OC but not 45%! Obviously this was a major error. I doubt that they were trying to be sneaky because who wouldn't notice that large a discrepancy? You're going to need to call them, and I'd try the hotel directly first.

Edited to add: maybe they accidentally charged the tax twice?

 

[StormyCA]

Anaheim can have a 'base' sales tax rate of either 7.75% or 8.75% depending on the specific location. Then there's the 'transient resident' tax of 15% and a 2.75% 'resort fee tax' (this has nothing to do with whether or not the hotel charges an actual 'resort fee') . That's total tax of 25.75% or 26.75%. But either way, hotels are supposed to list sales and 'hotel' taxes separately on your invoice. I'd start by looking there to see if you can find a breakdown, then call them.

 

[longboard55]

did you book direct or thru a outside booking agency. The companies like Expedia can add whatever they want in the taxes and fees category. Expedia is not bad, some are, if you are getting a real low rate that is probably they game they are playing

 

[brightlined]

Total amount for second reservation is $1,232.00
The tax added on was $552.05.

Since you asked for a two-room suite, maybe they booked you into two rooms (ie, adjoining) the second time. (The tax basically doubled.)

 

[DizMe]

Since you asked for a two-room suite, maybe they booked you into two rooms (ie, adjoining) the second time. (The tax basically doubled.)

Ohhhhhh now that makes sense. Wowza on that tax amount.

 

[brightlined]

Ohhhhhh now that makes sense. Wowza on that tax amount.

I'm thinking about it again - the percentage of tax should be the same for both amounts. But I've noticed on my Anaheim stays that there are always other "fees" or "assessments" involved, which would then be doubled if there were two rooms. (Like maybe if they were charging a cleaning fee or something on a per room basis.) But I'm not sure that would be enough, unless there was something specific about the new room.

I would probably lean on it being just a mistake - it seems insane for it to have more than doubled.

 

[DizMe]

I'm thinking about it again - the percentage of tax should be the same for both amounts. But I've noticed on my Anaheim stays that there are always other "fees" or "assessments" involved, which would then be doubled if there were two rooms. (Like maybe if they were charging a cleaning fee or something on a per room basis.) But I'm not sure that would be enough, unless there was something specific about the new room.

I would probably lean on it being just a mistake - it seems insane for it to have more than doubled.

True. It does seem wrong to double the tax when the suite itself was only a few dollars more than the room. Regardless of the size of the accommodation, wouldn't you be charged a percentage of the total cost for the space?

 

[disneyerin]

True. It does seem wrong to double the tax when the suite itself was only a few dollars more than the room. Regardless of the size of the accommodation, wouldn't you be charged a percentage of the total cost for the space?

That's what I'm thinking.
The reservation is for only one suite. Otherwise it would have cost $2,400.
They do separate the room cost from the taxes. That's what was so weird. The room cost was about the same but the taxes doubled.
I'll give them a call.
Thanks everyone!

 

[DizMe]

That's what I'm thinking.
The reservation is for only one suite. Otherwise it would have cost $2,400.
They do separate the room cost from the taxes. That's what was so weird. The room cost was about the same but the taxes doubled.
I'll give them a call.
Thanks everyone!

Good luck! Be sure and report back.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

Hi Everyone.
A week back I booked a "Queen Suite Pool View" at Double Tree.
The total amount (including $16 dollars for an upper floor request) came to $1224.98
The tax they added on was $222.89

Then I realized I had booked the wrong room (wanted 2 room suite) and called them to change it. They canceled my original reservation and set me up with a new one.

Total amount for second reservation is $1,232.00
The tax added on was $552.05.

Anyone know what the extra tax night be for? Are they being sneaky and hope I won't notice it?

Also, if I need to talk to Customer Service about this would I call the 800 number or the hotel directly?

It's California. Everything there about taxes is confounding.

 

[Malcon10t]

Anaheim can have a 'base' sales tax rate of either 7.75% or 8.75% depending on the specific location. Then there's the 'transient resident' tax of 15% and a 2.75% 'resort fee tax' (this has nothing to do with whether or not the hotel charges an actual 'resort fee') . That's total tax of 25.75% or 26.75%. But either way, hotels are supposed to list sales and 'hotel' taxes separately on your invoice. I'd start by looking there to see if you can find a breakdown, then call them.

There is no sales tax on rooms. It is the transient tax. The total tax in Anaheim is about 17%. If you book your room in Garden Grove, Fullerton, or other towns further out it is lower. Double tree does tack on an extra fee, not sure for what....

 

[StormyCA]

There is no sales tax on rooms. It is the transient tax. The total tax in Anaheim is about 17%. If you book your room in Garden Grove, Fullerton, or other towns further out it is lower. Double tree does tack on an extra fee, not sure for what....

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Thank you for the correction!