Is Your Hotel Playing Fair?

With hidden charges, huge phone charges, and parking fees, even an overnight stay at a hotel can empty your wallet pretty quickly.

Ocean view – and then it’s a miniscule view of it miles away.

What’s a traveler to do?

When I stay in San Francisco (and this would work for any big city), if I’m driving I make sure to inquire about any parking charges. My friend Jeanne was charged $20 plus $2 tax on Friday night, and, on the Saturday night of her stay in Santa Monica that charge went up to $22 and $2.50 for taxes. Incredible. And, three women shared the room (already pricey at almost $300 per night) – there were two cars. So, the hotel made an extra $170 or so, plus tax. Don’t make the same mistake I did – on my last stay in downtown SF, I ascertained free parking but when I called the hotel to say I’d be late, I found out there was no “free” parking. I had seen this advertised on the website but the hotel changed the rules and the third-party website I used wasn’t updated. Well, I got my free parking (although I had to do it myself, in a self park lot 2 blocks away at 11pm at night), but not without two arguments – over the phone and again in person when I checked in. Make sure you call the hotel to confirm the free parking or go on their website (not a third party site) to make sure it’s correct.

Then, ask whether friends visiting you have to pay for any parking. Seveal years ago, my parents stayed at a luxury hotel near the San Francisco airport. They invited friends over before all going out to dinner. Their friends had to pay $9 per car. My parents checked out the next day and haven’t stayed there since.

Phone charges! ARGH!!! Many years ago my two girlfriends and I took off for a weekend in downtown San Jose. Sunday morning was time for brunch and I offered to call around to find a good spot. When we checked out, an additional charge of about $15 had been added to my bill. The local calls were NOT free. Now, I check before I use the hotel phone for anything but calling the desk or another room. Actually, I use my cell phone for any calls. If you use the hotel phone for long distance, even with a calling card, most impose a “long distance fee,” so, if you have a cell plan that includes long distance, use it. And, before making a local or an 800 call, make sure they don’t charge for it. Some chains now offer flat-fee charges or discounted long distance fees if you must use their phones.

And that ocean view room? Well, there is no law about deceptive advertising in the hotel industry, so your best bet is to call the hotel directly and find out exactly which rooms have the best view, what type of a view, and get the room number. You probably cannot do this and use a third party website to book a discounted room. So, visit the discount hotel site, get your best rate, then call the hotel and request that special room and ask them to beat, or honor, the internet rate.
Just a “short walk” to – shopping, the beach, etc. Again, call the hotel directly and ask them very specifically how many yards to the beach, restaurants and other attractions. And, ask again. If necessary, you might indicate you’re traveling with someone using a walker – amazing how quickly that short walk might be six blocks.

Now, here is something I’ve not run into yet – “fake” hotels. What! Apparently in NYC, some resident apartments are renting apartments as hotel rooms. Local and state officials are trying to crack down on this but if it’s licensed as a “resident hotel” there is little they can do about it. Your best bet is to stick with known national chains in the larger cities. And, it’s not a bad idea to read some hotel reviews either – check out tripadvisor.com and similar websites.

Then there are the hidden fees – a fee for “facility” or “resort” use even if you don’t use the pool, the water toys, the hot tub or the gym. Again, read the fine print and if it’s not there, demand it be taken off your bill. If you book directly with the hotel, ask about any fees for anything when you book the room.

Those goodies in the minibar can really cost you! I’d suggest picking up some bottled, water, sodas and snacks from a grocery store and either put them in the minibar if there’s room, or keep them cool with extra ice. I’ve noticed even luxury hotels, have ice machines on the premises.

“Free wireless Internet access?” Hmmm. Make sure your hotel does offer this and then look out for any taxes. A hotel I frequent in the peninsula near SF, offers this free but the taxes are about $10. So, I head to their business center which has free internet access with NO taxes. I also find many hotel lobbies now have a computer where you can go check your email, etc.

Be just a bit savvy and you’ll save some pretty decent bucks on your next trip(s).