Hotel resort fees average $43 per night in 2026 — a mandatory charge added on top of the advertised room rate that you typically do not see until late in the booking process. On a 5-night stay, that is $215 added to your bill before taxes. Understanding what resort fees are, which hotels charge them, and how to avoid or dispute them can save you hundreds per trip.
What Resort Fees Are — and Why Hotels Charge Them
Resort fees are mandatory daily charges added to your hotel bill, separate from the room rate. They are legal and widespread, but the way they are displayed in booking searches is the subject of ongoing FTC scrutiny and rule changes.
Why hotels use resort fees:
- Allow a lower “headline rate” to appear in search results and comparison tools
- Recover revenue from amenities that were previously free
- In hotel loyalty programs, resort fees typically do not earn or redeem points (though this varies)
The FTC’s position: In 2022 and 2023, the FTC issued guidance and enforcement actions against drip pricing — the practice of hiding mandatory fees until late in a booking flow. Some booking platforms now display total price (room rate + fees) by default, but disclosure timing varies.
Average Resort Fees by Market (2026)
| Market | Average Resort Fee per Night | Common Range |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Strip | $45–$55/night | $30–$65 |
| Hawaii (Maui, Oahu) | $35–$45/night | $25–$55 |
| Miami Beach | $25–$35/night | $20–$45 |
| Orlando (Disney area) | $20–$30/night | $15–$35 |
| New York City (luxury) | $20–$40/night | $0–$50 |
| Nashville | $15–$25/night | $0–$30 |
| Standard US city hotels | $0–$15/night | Most = $0 |
Hotels and Chains Known for High Resort Fees
| Hotel/Brand | Market | Typical Resort Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas | Las Vegas | ~$45/night |
| Wynn/Encore | Las Vegas | ~$45/night |
| Caesars Palace | Las Vegas | ~$45/night |
| Bellagio | Las Vegas | ~$40/night |
| MGM Grand | Las Vegas | ~$40/night |
| Four Seasons Maui | Hawaii | ~$45/night |
| Grand Hyatt Wailea | Hawaii | ~$45/night |
| Hilton Hawaiian Village | Oahu | ~$35/night |
Chains with no resort fees on most properties: Hyatt Place, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Marriott Courtyard, and most select-service brands do not charge resort fees.
What Resort Fees Typically Include
Resort fee inclusions are often vague and vary by property. Common items advertised:
- Wi-Fi (was free industry-wide before resort fees proliferated)
- Pool and fitness center access (typically free at most hotels anyway)
- In-room coffee or tea
- Bottled water upon check-in
- Local phone calls
- Business center access
- Shuttle services (some properties)
- Beach chairs or umbrellas (coastal/resort properties)
Critical point: You pay the resort fee regardless of whether you use these amenities.
How to Avoid or Reduce Resort Fees
1. Use Points to Pay — Sometimes
When you book with loyalty points, some hotels waive the resort fee. Hyatt is the best example: cash + points stays often waive resort fees at Hyatt resorts when the room is paid entirely with Hyatt points. Marriott and Hilton still charge resort fees on award stays. Check the program’s specific policy before booking.
2. Book Direct for Negotiation Leverage
Third-party booking sites have no leverage to waive fees. Booking direct and calling the hotel front desk before arrival gives you an opportunity to ask if fees can be waived — particularly if you are a loyalty member or can articulate that you will not use the amenities.
3. Ask Politely at Check-In
Some hotels with resort fees will waive them for elite loyalty members or for guests who directly ask and explain they will not use the amenities. This works better at independently managed hotels than large chain properties with standardized policies.
4. Compare Total Price Including Fees
When searching, use filters for “total price” on Google Hotels or Booking.com. Some metasearch tools now include resort fees in the displayed price, making comparison more accurate. Always check the final total before confirming.
5. Stay Off the Strip / Off the Beach
The highest resort fees are concentrated in specific resort corridors. Las Vegas off-Strip hotels (Palms, Rio, Terrible’s, local casinos) and Hawaii condos/vacation rentals typically charge no resort fees.
Disputing a Resort Fee — When and How
You generally cannot dispute a properly disclosed resort fee after the stay — it is part of your contracted rate. However, you can dispute if:
- The fee was not disclosed before booking was completed — under FTC guidance, mandatory fees must be disclosed before purchase
- The amenities listed were unavailable — if the pool was closed all week or Wi-Fi did not work, request a partial refund
- The amount differed from what was disclosed — if your bill shows more than the disclosed amount
Dispute process: First, speak to the hotel manager at check-out. If unresolved, dispute with your credit card (dispute the fee as an unauthorized or undisclosed charge). Card issuers generally require you to attempt resolution with the merchant first.
Resort Fees and Loyalty Points
| Program | Resort Fee on Award Stays | Points Earned on Resort Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Hyatt | Usually waived on full-points stays | No (fees paid in cash) |
| Marriott | Typically still charged | Points typically not earned on resort fees |
| Hilton | Typically still charged | Points typically not earned |
| IHG | Typically still charged | Check property-specific policy |
This is an additional hidden cost of award stays at resort properties — the room may be “free” on points, but a $45/night resort fee still applies on cash.
Key Takeaways
- Resort fees average $43/night in 2026 and are mandatory — they add $200+ to a 5-night stay before taxes
- Las Vegas Strip and Hawaii resorts charge the highest fees ($35–$65/night); standard city hotels usually charge nothing
- Booking with Hyatt points at Hyatt properties often waives resort fees — Marriott and Hilton typically do not waive on award stays
- Always check total price (room + fees + taxes) before booking; Google Hotels and some OTAs now show total price by default
- If a fee was not disclosed before you completed your booking, you have grounds to dispute it with the hotel and your credit card
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