A resort fee is a daily charge for the use of a resort’s facilities, such as the pool, gym, Wi-Fi or beach equipment. Some resorts add it to the booking and others collect it at check-in. It is separate from the room rate and from tax.
A useful companion read is resort fees and taxes.
Why does resort fee matter for us?
A resort fee changes the total for two even when the room rate looks fair. It is charged per night, so a longer stay costs more, and it may be payable at the desk rather than online. Two resorts with the same room rate can end up with different totals once this is counted.
How does resort fee show up in a quote?
A quote may say “Resort fee, per room, per night, payable at property”. That line means the booking is not fully paid until you arrive. Ask what the fee covers, because some resorts bundle items you would not use, while others cover things you would otherwise pay for, like water sports or Wi-Fi.
What should we ask about resort fee?
Put these questions to the resort or agent, and ask for the answers in writing:
- Is there a resort fee, and is it in the total we were shown?
- Is it charged per room or per person, and per night?
- Do we pay it with the booking or at the property?
- What exactly does it cover?
Where to go next
Two more pages help you check the rest: extra honeymoon costs couples miss and how to spot an overpriced quote. Send us the quote and we will go through it with you.