Can I Refuse to Pay Resort Fees? What Travelers Need to Know

Imagine checking out from your all-inclusive hotel and spotting an extra $45 per night tagged as a “resort fee” on your bill. You thought you paid for everything upfront—so why’s there this sneaky extra charge, and do you actually have to pay it?

Resort fees aren’t just a nuisance. They’re a real pain point for travelers at all-inclusives, popping up after you’ve locked in what should have been the whole price. It’s not just the big names, either; even smaller resorts pull this move, sometimes rolling in Wi-Fi you never used, ‘complimentary’ pool towels, or parking you didn’t ask for.

If you don’t like the idea of paying it, you aren’t alone. But is skipping out on the fee actually possible? Before you grab your bags and refuse to sign the credit card slip, it helps to know what you’re up against. The rules about resort fees aren’t as black-and-white as you’d think, and hotels love to walk the fine line between legal and “are you kidding me?” Stay tuned for practical details on what’s enforceable—and what isn’t.

• Why Are Resort Fees a Thing?
• Do You Have to Pay Resort Fees Legally?
• What Counts as a Resort Fee—And What Does It Really Cover?
• Fighting Resort Fees at All-Inclusive Hotels
• Tips for Avoiding Surprise Charges
• The Future of Resort Fees: Will They Go Away?

Why Are Resort Fees a Thing?

Here’s the not-so-secret truth: resort fees mostly exist to make hotels look cheaper than they really are—at least at first glance. That’s because hotel websites and booking engines, like Expedia or Booking.com, highlight the base room price. If a hotel adds $40 a night right at the end, boom—suddenly, their listing pops up as a deal until you’re actually paying.

This system isn’t a fluke. Research shows that from 2014 to 2023, the percentage of U.S. hotels charging resort fees jumped from 7% to nearly 30%. It’s a $3 billion-a-year business in the U.S. alone, with some Vegas casinos and Florida beach resorts making as much from fees as they do from actual rooms.

Technically, all-inclusive hotels should cover everything, but resort fees sneak past by labeling services as "extras"—even if you didn’t use them. Want to call out the logic? Hotels blame things like higher utility costs or the price of keeping up fancier gyms. But let’s be honest: it’s really about making prices look better online and squeezing a little more profit from travelers who might not notice the extra charges right away.

Bottom line: resort fees are a pricing trick hotels use to compete for clicks while still raking in extra cash. This is why you see the fees almost everywhere, even in places where they used to be unheard of.

Do You Have to Pay Resort Fees Legally?

This is the part everyone wants to know: can you actually say no when the front desk hands you a bill with those surprise resort fees? Here’s the no-nonsense answer. Most of the time, you’ll end up having to pay them—because hotels cover themselves by slipping the fee into the fine print somewhere in your booking process.

If it was listed in any official way—a tiny line in the booking confirmation, a note on the payment page, or even a check box you clicked without reading—that’s usually enough to make them legally enforceable. In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has gotten on hotels’ cases for hiding these fees, and there are lawsuits floating around. Still, there’s no national law banning resort fees yet, so hotels keep doing it.

If a hotel charge wasn’t mentioned at all until you arrived, then you’ve got a real reason to fight. In some states like California and Nevada, consumer protection laws require all mandatory charges to be clearly shown upfront. If a resort fee suddenly shows up at checkout and you can prove you never saw it coming, you’ve got some backup.

There’s a difference between what’s legal and what feels right. But unless the resort fee was truly hidden or straight-up never mentioned, hotels are probably in the clear. If you want to push back anyway, ask to see the place where you supposedly agreed to pay the fee—sometimes staff will drop the charge just to keep you happy if you make a fuss.

What Counts as a Resort Fee—And What Does It Really Cover?

Resort fees look totally harmless on booking websites, sometimes tucked away under the fine print or those “extra charges may apply” notes. But when you show up, suddenly you’re on the hook for daily “amenities” you might never use. What’s actually inside these fees?

Here’s the wild part: there’s no universal rule for what a resort fee covers. Some hotels list everything down to morning coffee, while others just say it’s for “hotel services.” Still, you’ll spot a few regulars clogging up almost every bill, especially at big all-inclusive hotels:

• Wi-Fi (sometimes just in the lobby)
• Beach towels and pool chairs
• On-site gym or fitness center
• Bottled water in the room
• Access to the hotel’s pool, hot tub, or sauna
• Local phone calls (yes, in 2025!)
• Basic daily activities—think yoga or trivia night
• Pseudo “welcome gifts” like a drink ticket

Hotels claim these things add extra “value,” but honestly, who would pay $40 a night for Wi-Fi and a towel if it weren’t mandatory? And at an all-inclusive, you probably thought you’d already paid for most of this stuff in the nightly rate. Getting charged again can feel like a double-dip.

Want to see how much these charges can inflate your bill? Here’s what travelers in the U.S. actually paid last year for resort fees at all-inclusives:

The worst part—refusing to use these ‘amenities’ doesn’t get you out of paying for them. Even if you never set foot in the pool or didn’t log onto the Wi-Fi once, the charge sticks. So, always check the fine print before booking, and don’t be afraid to ask the hotel point-blank what’s included in their resort fees. Sometimes just questioning it at check-in can reveal a few surprises or even get them to waive an item or two.

Fighting Resort Fees at All-Inclusive Hotels

So, you’ve checked into your all-inclusive resort, thinking you’ve covered everything—and then you get slapped with those pesky resort fees. Can you actually push back? Sometimes, yes. Hotels count on most guests just quietly paying, but you’ve got some cards to play.

The key? Ask questions right at check-in (or even better, before you arrive). If the resort fees weren’t clearly shown during booking, point that out. In the US, consumer protection laws in states like Nevada require hotels to disclose all mandatory charges up front—so if you can prove the fee wasn’t obvious, you might have a case to refuse it. Some folks have even gotten charges wiped after showing a screenshot of their original booking confirmation with no mention of a resort fee.

If the front desk won’t budge, ask to speak to a manager. Stay calm, be polite, and use facts—tell them you booked believing your price included everything. Mention recent actions by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which has been pressuring hotels to be honest about hotel charges and hidden fees. Some hotel brands, facing bad press and lawsuits, have started rolling back or reducing their resort fees.

• Check your confirmation email and booking website screenshot for any mention of resort fees. Print or save it for proof.
• Ask specifically what the fee covers—sometimes it’s stuff you didn’t use or never planned to use. If you didn’t get the perks, say so.
• If you used points for your stay, double-check if the resort fee is supposed to be included. Some loyalty programs cover it, some don’t.
• Pay with a credit card and, if charged unfairly, dispute the charge with your card issuer. Card companies often side with the customer if you show the fee wasn’t transparent.

Fun fact: In 2023, a few big-name hotel chains paid out settlements to guests after being sued for not disclosing resort fees in advance. So, you really can win these battles.

It’s not a sure thing, but with the right info and confidence, you can sometimes dodge those extra fees—or at least make sure you aren’t paying blindly.

Tips for Avoiding Surprise Charges

Just because you booked an all-inclusive hotel doesn’t mean you’re shielded from sneaky resort fees or weird extras that pop up at checkout. Here’s how you can spot, dodge, and sometimes even argue your way out of those hidden costs.

• Read the Fine Print: Always double-check your reservation confirmation and the hotel’s website. Search for words like “daily resort fee” or “mandatory fee” in the terms. If it’s not clear, call and ask directly, and keep a screenshot or email in case you need it later.
• Book Directly With the Hotel: Big booking sites sometimes bury the fees. When you book straight with the hotel, you get a clearer picture of all charges, and sometimes better leverage to argue later if they stick you with something unexpected.
• Ask for an Itemized Quote: Before you check in, ask for an exact breakdown of the full bill, including all taxes and resort fees. It’s a lot easier to haggle before you’ve slept in the room.
• Compare and Call Out Competing Hotels: If you spot a competitor offering a “no resort fees” deal, mention it. Hotels sometimes match deals or offer to waive resort fees to keep your business.
• Use Hotel Loyalty Programs: Members of a hotel’s own rewards or loyalty program (think Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors) sometimes get those resort fees waived. Always ask if there’s an exception for members.
• Refuse Extras You Didn’t Use: If you see fees for things you didn’t touch—fancy gym access when you never went, or pool towels you never used—bring it up, calmly but firmly, at the front desk before you pay.

Did you know? According to a 2024 Consumer Report, travelers spent an extra $3.5 billion on hotel fees in the US alone, with the average resort fee being about $39/night even at so-called all-inclusive hotels. That’s real money you could be spending elsewhere.

After your trip, if you feel blindsided by fees, don’t give up. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or your local consumer protection office. Sometimes even a bad review posted online gets you a quicker response from management than hours waiting in the lobby.

The Future of Resort Fees: Will They Go Away?

If you’re hoping resort fees will magically disappear, you’re not alone. There’s been a lot of noise lately from travelers, lawmakers, and even some hotel execs about just how unpopular these fees have become. Back in 2023, the White House called out hidden hotel fees as part of a crackdown on junk fees across industries. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) even started drafting rules aimed at getting hotels to be far more clear—and upfront—about all-in costs, including resort fees.

Here’s the thing: There’s no federal law (yet) that makes it illegal for hotels or all-inclusive resorts to charge a mandatory resort fee. Some states have come out swinging, though. For example, in Connecticut and Nebraska, laws now require hotels to show the full price—including fees—right from the start. Other states are watching to see if those laws actually help travelers avoid nasty surprises.

Major hotel groups look pretty nervous about all the attention. Some chains have started advertising the full price (including resort fees) on their official sites—especially if they operate in places where it’s required. But scroll through any online travel site, and you’ll probably still see those dreaded fees tucked away in the small print until the last-minute checkout screen. It’s uneven and confusing.

Here’s a quick look at what’s happening around this issue:

• 2024 FTC Rule Draft: The FTC proposed a federal rule to force all hotels to show the true total price—including mandatory resort fees—upfront. Final rules are still in the works as of April 2025.
• State Battles: Some states like California have pending bills to outlaw hidden fees, but nothing concrete has passed yet.
• Industry Trends: A few smaller hotel chains are scrapping resort fees on their own for good PR and competitive edge.

Is it realistic to think all resort fees will be gone soon? Not quite. Unless there’s a big, federal rule change, most hotels will probably keep tacking them on, just making them more visible up front. If you’re tired of playing hide-and-seek with hotel charges, keep an eye on the fine print, use comparison sites that show the total cost, and don’t be shy to call the hotel directly before you book. The best move right now: stay aware and ask questions.