Like Airlines, Hotels Can be Equally Opaque With Hidden Charges
Know what's included in your room rate. ASK for the bottom line price--exactly what the hotel expects you to pay when you check out. Look for occupancy taxes, early check-in or check-out fees, late check-out fees, amenity fees (for the use of towels, gym, etc.), resort fees, parking fees, and energy surcharges. Some hotels add gratuities as well. Additionally, some of those aforementioned "fees" are nothing more than part of the room rate meaning you should expect to pay that same occupancy tax on top of that add-on fee. AND, be sure you know what you're getting when the hotel is "all-inclusive."
Finally, make certain you understand cancellation policies, fees, costs for extra persons, as well as rollaway beds.
I can't stress enough how important it is to require the hotel, or the booking agent (such as Hotwire, Priceline, Expedia, etc.) to provide all of these specifics in writing. However, beware of the generalization of written terms when booking somewhere other than the hotel's own web site--you won't get a lot of specifics, nor will you have much leverage when there is a problem, when booking through a third-party site.
Finally, make certain you understand cancellation policies, fees, costs for extra persons, as well as rollaway beds.
I can't stress enough how important it is to require the hotel, or the booking agent (such as Hotwire, Priceline, Expedia, etc.) to provide all of these specifics in writing. However, beware of the generalization of written terms when booking somewhere other than the hotel's own web site--you won't get a lot of specifics, nor will you have much leverage when there is a problem, when booking through a third-party site.
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