Typically, hotels will refund your deposit and any unused incidental fees after you check out. The hotel staff will assess the room for any damages or missing items, and if everything is in order, they will initiate the refund process.

Yes, hotels absolutely refund incidental deposits, provided you did not charge any extra services to your room or cause damage. When you check in, the hotel typically places a "temporary hold" on your credit or debit card (usually $50–$100 per night). If you use a credit card, this is merely an authorization that reduces your available credit but never actually leaves your account. If you use a debit card, the funds are physically withdrawn. Upon check-out, if the room is cleared, the hotel sends a release signal to your bank. For credit cards, the hold usually disappears in 3–5 business days. For debit cards, it can take 5–10 business days for the bank to process the refund back into your balance. It is a common travel frustration that "refunds" aren't instant, but the delay is almost always due to the passenger's bank's processing speed rather than the hotel's accounting department holding onto the money.