Resort fees

[Squidgyness]

So seeing these mentioned on another section of the forum got me thinking, I'm looking at offsite options for our 2017 trip and researching on the net and for example one hotel, the Doubltree near Seaworld, charges $20 a night plus tax in resort fees. We got stung on check in in 2009 for $10 a night in resort fees, 20 would be really painful and more than I'd like to pay on top of a £1600 solo room. At 14 nights it's the cost of a park ticket effectively.

Does anyone know if Thomson, virgin etc generally include these resort fees in a package deal? I can't find mention of them On the Thomson website for example. I'm tempted to email them directly but I'm not booking till 2017 prices come out so its not too urgent, just thought I'd ask if anyone has had experiences with this recently.

 

[Elise79]

Some times they do sometimes they don't. You'd need to check the individual hotel and agent.

If booking on Expedia etc it clearly shows any fees due at the hotel.

If I am booking a hotel with resort fee I just add that in to my cost comparison for my total cost.

 

[Jon84]

The classic Tour Operators, like Virgin Holidays, Thomson, Thomas Cook, Co-op Travel etc etc, will not usually charge resort fees if you book a package.

I've had packages booked with both Virgin, Thomas Cook and Thomson, and never had resort fees in Florida, Vegas, or Cali.

Always worth confirming when booking.

IF there is a resort fee, I believe that UK companies are obligated to tell you what will need to be paid locally in fees. Should be somewhere in the small print.

 

[soarinfanuk]

I find resort fees generally tend to be hidden very well in the small print, if the actual amount is even there at all.

May be worth emailing the resort directly to ask. Worth mentioning some resorts absorb the resort fee into the money you pay them for staying there anyway which is a nice gesture - yet sites like Expedia still claim you have to pay when you check out.

 

[chmurf]

IF there is a resort fee, I believe that UK companies are obligated to tell you what will need to be paid locally in fees. Should be somewhere in the small print.

Some will quote the fees. Some just cop out by stating a fuzzy disclaimer along the lines of "this rate does not include fees and taxes payable locally".

now, even if a booking site mentions it's all included, it will never stop the hotel to charge your credit card. They'll have your CC record, because you need to provide one for incidentals
Some hotels will not charge resort fees, but will charge for any service you wish to use (typical is parking or internet access.)



of course you still could challenge a charge if your TA/booker states it's all inclusive. But it's always best to know beforehand if a resort has resort fees and if they're likely to charge anything
there are a few sites listing hotels and resort fees
one of those is http://www.resortfeechecker.com/hotel_resort_fees_orlando_fl.html

 

[UKDisneyJoe]

We booked through Virgin previously and although there was no resort fee they didnt mention the parking fee charge until we found it on a website somewhere. It was no where on there brochure or website but once we asked them they confirmed it. They were good enough to allow us to change the hotel but only after a bit of arguing. Just ask them if there are any extra charges when you book.

 

[bex7583]

I have booked some hotels on hotels.com and they have a price then a price with fees underneath then in the hotel description it will usually detail any parking wifi charges .

Its always worth checking and double checking as if they are unexpected parking and resort charges i can see how it would add up quite quickly over a 2 week holiday

 

[chelynnah]

We actually found renting a house (even for,just the two of us) cheaper than staying at a hotel, even an offsite one, partly because of resort fees.

We had a fab 3 bedroom house for just over £50 a night, and we're about 10 minutes from the Disney property. Would be more than happy to share info if you wanted to look into that option

 

[k8Davies]

I'm staying at the Dolphin and Swan hotel on my next trip and after reading this thread (and doing a quick search I found out that this hotel does charge a resort fee) I checked back with Virgin and they said all Hotel fees were included (Which also includes the parking fee which was about $18 a day).

As a back up I have kept this chain of emails just in case I get a surprise when I arrive and need to bring it up with the Rep.

 

[Jon84]

I don't think Virgin do any hotels in Orlando with Resort Fees, just the odd parking fee (Universal!)

 

[Squidgyness]

I don't think Virgin do any hotels in Orlando with Resort Fees, just the odd parking fee (Universal!)

Well that's put them on my radar! Thanks for all the replies guys. Much appreciated! Mucho thinking and planning to be done in the next 6-12 months...