For many years, the glittering, neon-lit streets of Las Vegas have represented luxury, excess, and awe. Despite all the glamour, however, one facet of the city’s hotel business was beginning to damage its standing: the dreaded resort fees. These fees, which were concealed on top of the room rate, were an annoying fact of life for many guests. But recent actions by some of the most well-known hotels in the city are paving the way for a new era, one in which resort fees are being removed to give visitors a more open, hassle-free experience.
The move to eliminate resort fees is a welcome change in a sector where openness has frequently been neglected. These charges, which usually ranged from $30 to $50 per night, were frequently added to cover extras like gym membership, pool access, and Wi-Fi. But the question was frequently posed: Why should something as fundamental as Wi-Fi, which is now a universal standard, cost extra? The truth about these fees was obvious: they were used to advertise lower nightly rates to make hotels seem more affordable, only to tack on additional fees later. A few hotels in Las Vegas are now defying this convention.
Las Vegas Resort Fee-Free Hotels:
| Hotel Name | Location | Resort Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Best Western Plus Casino Royale | Center Strip | None |
| Marriott’s Grand Chateau | Las Vegas Strip | None |
| Club Wyndham Grand Desert | Off-Strip | None |
| Desert Rose Resort | Off-Strip | None |
Resort Fees’ Hidden Cost: Exposing the Reality
When hotels began searching for ways to increase their revenue without directly raising room rates in the early 2000s, resort fees were introduced in Las Vegas. By maintaining low room rates, they could draw in prospective visitors looking for affordable lodging. The hidden resort fees, however, would double or even triple the advertised price when it came time to check out.
The average resort fee on the Las Vegas Strip is actually about $40 per night, according to a recent study, and some of the most upscale hotels in the city charge as much as $50 per night. Critics started to claim that many of these services were either unnecessary or already covered by the cost of a stay at practically every other hotel in the world, even though these fees were intended to cover “extras” like gym access, local phone calls, and boarding pass printing.
It’s interesting to note that resort fees turned into a way for hotels to post cheaper rates on internet travel agencies. However, some hotels started to reconsider their approach as more tourists expressed their annoyance. A more knowledgeable and outspoken consumer base no longer found the once-common practice of “bait-and-switch” pricing to be acceptable.
The Growth of Las Vegas’s Resort Fee-Free Hotels
Thankfully, a few hotels on the Strip have stood up to these unstated costs and are providing visitors with an open and fee-free stay. Customers can now book their rooms with a clear understanding of the full cost, which makes it easier to plan and budget for their trip. This change is a huge win for them.
Marriott’s Grand Chateau and Best Western Plus Casino Royale-Center Strip are two hotels that have welcomed this change and are providing resort fee-free stays. These hotels, which are in the center of the Strip, are great options for tourists who wish to see Las Vegas without having to pay resort fees because they have clear prices and great locations.
There are also fee-free options available off the Strip at Club Wyndham Grand Desert and Desert Rose Resort. Along with the advantage of more transparent pricing, these off-Strip hotels offer a more laid-back and customized experience. Visitors can still take advantage of clear, all-inclusive pricing while enjoying a more tranquil environment away from the bustle of the Strip.
How to Avoid Las Vegas Resort Fees
Resort fees are not completely gone throughout the city, despite the fact that more hotels are doing away with them. However, there are still methods for astute tourists to stay clear of these annoying fees. Participating in hotel loyalty programs is one successful tactic. Numerous hotel chains provide room upgrades, resort fee waivers, and other benefits associated with elite status. Additionally, guests can avoid resort fees entirely by using award points or making reservations through specific websites.
Another tactic is to make reservations during off-peak hours when demand is lower, as hotels might be more inclined to give discounts or waive fees in order to get reservations. The benefits of a membership go beyond room discounts for those who travel regularly and accrue loyalty points; in fact, it can be a game-changer when it comes to completely avoiding resort fees.
What’s Up Next for Las Vegas Resort Fees?
More Las Vegas hotels are probably going to follow suit and do away with resort fees as customer demands for transparency keep growing. The shift to transparent, up-front pricing is definitely a positive step, even though it might take some time for the entire industry to accept this change.
When booking a trip to Las Vegas, travelers can expect a more predictable experience and fewer surprises at the checkout. Visitors won’t be caught off guard by unforeseen fees that double their original room rate any more. This new wave of resort fee-free hotels reflects a philosophical as well as a practical shift, emphasizing transparency and aiming to provide a hassle-free, customer-first experience.
