Resort Fee Calculator
See the true cost of your hotel stay after mandatory resort and amenity fees
Stay Details
Per night, per room
Per night, per room
e.g. F&B / spa credit
Tax Rates
Used to show tax impact of resort fees
Fee Breakdown
Advertised Rate Total
$796.00
$199/night × 4 nights × 1 room(s)
Resort Fees
$180.00
23% of advertised rate
Taxes on Rooms
$95.52
12.0% combined
Taxes on Resort Fees
$21.60
Varies by state
True Cost
Grand Total (fees taxed)
$1093.12
Grand Total (fees not taxed)
$1071.52
True Nightly Rate
$273.28
37% above advertised rate
What is a hotel resort fee and why is it charged?
A resort fee (also called a destination fee, property fee, or amenity fee) is a mandatory nightly charge that hotels add on top of the advertised room rate. It is not optional — it appears on your final bill regardless of whether you use the included amenities. Common inclusions include Wi-Fi, pool access, gym, in-room coffee, and local phone calls — amenities that most guests would expect to be free or included in a higher-category hotel.
Resort fees are especially common in Las Vegas (where nearly every Strip hotel charges $35–$50+/night), Hawaii, Miami Beach, and major convention cities. They are less common at city-center business hotels, boutique independents, and most European properties.
The FTC has classified undisclosed mandatory fees as a form of \"junk fee\" deceptive pricing and has pushed for all-in price disclosure at the point of booking. Some OTAs (Expedia, Booking.com) now display resort fees in the total price during search; others still show them only at checkout or on the property page. Always verify the total before confirming a booking.
How much are hotel resort fees?
Resort fees range from $10/night at budget US properties to $80+/night at luxury Las Vegas resorts. At a $199/night advertised rate with a $45/night resort fee for a 4-night stay, the true nightly cost is $273.28 after taxes — 37% above the advertised rate. This gap is what this calculator is designed to expose.
Some loyalty programs offer resort fee waivers as an elite benefit. Marriott Titanium and Ambassador members may have resort fees waived at some properties. Hyatt Globalist members receive a waiver at Hyatt-branded properties (though not at SLH or affiliated hotels). Always verify the benefit applies before booking.
If you're booking for a group, resort fees are typically charged per room per night and can add up quickly. A 20-room group at a Las Vegas hotel with a $45/night fee for 3 nights faces an additional $2,700 in mandatory charges. Use the Group Booking Splitter to include these in your per-person cost estimate.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hotel resort fee?
A hotel resort fee is a mandatory nightly charge added on top of the advertised room rate. It cannot be waived at check-in and covers amenities like Wi-Fi, pool access, and gym — which at most properties would otherwise be complimentary.
Are hotel resort fees legal?
Yes, resort fees are legal in the US but have faced FTC scrutiny as a form of deceptive "junk fee" pricing. The FTC has pursued enforcement actions against hotels that fail to disclose mandatory fees upfront. The EU prohibits hidden mandatory fees for online bookings under the Consumer Rights Directive.
Are resort fees taxed?
It depends on the state. Nevada taxes resort fees as lodging revenue. Many other states exclude mandatory fees from the taxable base. This calculator shows both scenarios (fees taxed vs. not taxed) so you can model the correct situation for your destination.
Can you avoid or waive resort fees?
Resort fees are generally mandatory and cannot be waived at check-in. Elite loyalty members (Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist) may have resort fee waivers as a benefit at qualifying properties. Some credit cards (Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X) provide resort credits at specific properties.
How do I find the true cost of a hotel with resort fees?
Multiply the resort fee by nights and rooms, add it to the room subtotal, apply the combined tax rate (to rooms and fees separately, as your state dictates), then divide the grand total by nights for the true nightly cost. This calculator does it automatically.