The Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, a Hyatt resort on 15 beachfront acres in Hawaii, is far from a place to sleep. There are multiple pools, including a lagoon and three infinity pools. As part of the resort fee, you can also take a stand-up paddleboarding course, use the resortB次元官网网址檚 snorkel equipment and GoPro action camera and maybe even learn ukulele, hula or mixology.

ItB次元官网网址檚 all marketed as complimentary B次元官网网址� but itB次元官网网址檚 only sort of so. Andaz Maui is one of what the American Hotel and Lodging Association estimates is 6% of all hotels that charge a resort fee. These fees run between $20 and $50 per night B次元官网网址� and theyB次元官网网址檝e become one of the most controversial issues in the travel industry.

NerdWallet analyzed more than 100 U.S. hotels with January 2023 check-in dates as part of its 2023 Best-Of Awards to see . Among the hotels that charge them, the average resort fee was $42.41, representing nearly 11% of the overall nightly cost. The Andaz MauiB次元官网网址檚 daily resort fee is $50 plus tax, which is above average. But because Andaz MauiB次元官网网址檚 nightly rates are also above average, the fee is about 6% of the overall nightly cost to stay in January 2023, based on data gathered in December 2022.

And like most other resorts that charge such fees, the AndazB次元官网网址檚 fee is not optional B次元官网网址� even if you never use the amenities.

THE CASE FOR RESORT FEES

Resort fees may be a way for hotels to increase profits without necessarily charging guests more.

B次元官网网址淗otels claim that resort fees allow hotels to reduce the commissions paid to online travel agents,B次元官网网址� according to the Federal Trade CommissionB次元官网网址檚 2017 report.

Most resorts pay travel agents a commission based on the nightly rate rather than the overall cost. A lower nightly rate plus resort fee reduces what the resort must pay to the referrer.

Some resorts do go all out on amenities, which makes the resort fee seem more justifiable. HyattB次元官网网址檚 Alila Napa Valley in Northern California wine country charges a $55 nightly fee plus tax, which includes wine plus valet parking and the use of bikes and electric vehicle charging stations. The $50 fee for the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara in California covers amenities including yoga and water aerobics classes, electric bike rentals, guided beach walks and use of tennis courts.

Brittain Komoda, marketing manager at Andaz Maui, says splitting the fees might encourage vacationers to learn about the amenities offered and actually use them.

B次元官网网址淲e have cultural activities, water activities, GoPro rentals and other classes,B次元官网网址� Komoda says. B次元官网网址淲e want guests to experience them and to know what they cost.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 possible a tourist who otherwise would never pay separately to get on an outrigger canoe might do so because itB次元官网网址檚 included in the resort fee they paid, Komoda says. That activity might become their vacation highlight, leaving them with a more favorable memory of the resort.

And buying even a fraction of what Andaz Maui offers a la carte would likely be far more than the $50 daily resort fee B次元官网网址� which is charged per room, not per person, Komoda says. For example, renting a GoPro from a surf shop in Wailea costs about $40 a day, and full-face snorkel mask rentals cost $17 per person. Stand-up paddleboarding lessons on Maui run about $150 to $180 per adult.

B次元官网网址淥ur intention is to greet new and returning travelers alike with immersive experiences that sum to far more than our resort fee,B次元官网网址� Komoda says.

THE CASE AGAINST RESORT FEES

But some hotels may claim resort fees cover basic amenities, like Wi-Fi or use of the room phone.

For travelers booking expensive rooms, the additional mandatory charge to cover perks that are advertised as B次元官网网址渃omplimentaryB次元官网网址� can feel stingy and confusing. In 2012, the FTC warned 22 hotels that the resort fees were not adequately disclosed on their reservation websites.

Resort fee transparency has improved. In November 2021 , Marriott committed to displaying the total price B次元官网网址� including room rates and other mandatory fees B次元官网网址� on the first page of its booking website.

But at other resorts that separate fees from room rates, it can be difficult to understand the total cost.

B次元官网网址淚f resort fees were included in the room rate, consumers could compare rooms at different hotels by simply viewing the room pages at the hotel websites,B次元官网网址� according to a 2017 FTC report . B次元官网网址淲ith separately-disclosed resort fees, consumers would need to add the room rate to the resort fee and remember the total for each hotel under consideration.B次元官网网址�

Dave Betham , general manager at Courtyard Oahu North Shore in Hawaii, says itB次元官网网址檚 for this reason that his property B次元官网网址� which offers complimentary amenities and cultural activities including ukulele and hula classes B次元官网网址� will not charge resort fees.

B次元官网网址淲e look at it from a guest perspective,B次元官网网址� Betham says. B次元官网网址淲e like the idea that there are no surprises.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址擲ally French Of Nerdwallet, The Associated Press