What is the average resort fee?

NerdWallet analyzed more than 100 hotels around the U.S. with January 2023 check-in dates. Among the hotels that charge resort fees, the average resort fee was $42.41. Relative to the room rate, resort fees averaged 11% of the overall cost to stay at the hotel each night.



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You cannot simply refuse to pay resort fees, but — just as some hotel employees are occasionally empowered to compensate you — the employee might have authority to remove your resort fee. Just understand that this is the exception, not the norm. And while it doesn't hurt to ask, it helps to ask nicely.

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Hotels charge fees for a few reasons. A lower base rate might pique a customer's interest in a hotel they might not otherwise have considered. Hotels then make up the difference in revenue by charging a resort fee rather than one higher, singular base rate. But it's not just about getting customers in the door.

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The American Hotel and Lodging Association said that resort fees pay for a range of hotel amenities, such as pool use, gym access, towel services, Wi-Fi, newspapers, shuttle service, daily parking. They state that the resort fee is a payment for a group of services.

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If you want to stay in the top resorts without paying a resort fee, you should consider earning hotel points with certain brands and booking an award stay. Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt have policies that allow them to waive resort fees on award stays, which can present a significant savings.

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While resort fees may include certain hotel services, amenities, and access to different areas, they do not include tips or gratuity for hotel staff. Some travelers assume that tips for housekeeping, concierge service, or luggage delivery are included in the resort fee, but the fee is paid directly to the hotel.

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Resort fees are usually charged to cover amenities like Wi-Fi and gym access, but they're not optional. You have no choice but to pay them even if you choose not to use the amenities they cover.

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President Joe Biden announced during his State of the Union address in February that his administration would target junk fees in a variety of industries, including at hotels. “We'll ban surprise 'resort fees' that hotels tack on to your bill,” Biden said.

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The majority of resort fees cover perks like free internet services, gym entry and access to the resort pool if there is one.

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While tipping is allowed at some resorts, it is optional, so you won't have to worry about staff pressuring you to do so. You don't have to feel bad about not being able to or wanting to tip everyone.

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This equates to around $20 to $25 USD per day for all staff members who might help you throughout the day. When heading off property (outside of your all-inclusive resort), you can bring small bills along as well, preferably in local currency.

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The average suggested tip amount is $2-3 per day and up to $5 per day if you're staying at a 4 or 5-star hotel.

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If you feel you didn't get your money's worth by paying the resort fee, speak up and ask if it can be waived. You might be surprised at how many hotels are willing to waive the fee, especially if you can make a case for why you didn't use the hotel's amenities. Just be polite, and don't be afraid to ask.

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First, by separating a mandatory resort fee from a quoted hotel rate, hotels can make their rates look more attractive to potential guests. Travelers, of course, disagree and feel that this practice is deceptive and unethical. Another reason why amenity fees are charged separately is due to taxation.

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However, it is important to note that hotels cannot track individual guest water usage on a per-guest basis. This is because water meters are typically installed at the property level rather than at the individual room level.

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Resort Fees are collected by us, upon arrival, at check-in. We apologize for any confusion and if you saw something different on the Expedia site. When making a reservation with them, it does indicate that the rate excludes resort fees and that the resort fee is due at hotel.

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