The Truth About Resort Fees: What You’ll Actually Pay in 2026 — And How to Avoid Them

By Frank Macek

If there’s one travel expense that continues to frustrate flyers, road-trippers, and frequent hotel guests alike, it’s the resort fee. These extra charges, once reserved for sprawling luxury properties with pools, cabanas, and a courtyard full of activities, have quietly made their way into mainstream hotels across the country. You expect a resort fee in Las Vegas or Hawaii. You don’t expect one at a mid-tier chain near the interstate. Yet here we are, entering 2026 with the fees not only sticking around, but becoming more complex — and in some cases, more expensive.

This past year pushed the issue into the national spotlight as lawmakers, consumer-rights groups, and even major hotel brands publicly sparred over what counts as a “mandatory fee,” how it should be displayed during booking, and whether it’s time for the industry to shift to all-in pricing. Travelers, of course, already know how they feel: they want transparency, not surprises popping up after clicking “book now.”

Resort fees first took off in cities like Las Vegas, where hotels justified the surcharge by bundling amenities into one line item. The pitch was simple: instead of paying separately for Wi-Fi, gym access, local phone calls, pool towels, boarding pass printing, and whatever else the hotel chose to include, you’d pay a daily fee for all of it. Over time, that idea morphed. The list of included amenities got thinner. The definition of “resort” got murkier. And the fees grew larger — now ranging from about $25 to $55 per night at many properties, and sometimes much more at high-end brands.

What’s catching travelers off guard heading into 2026 is how widespread these add-ons have become. You can now find them attached to hotels without a pool, without a gym, or even without the staff to support the amenities supposedly covered. In the most extreme examples, the fee includes nothing more than Wi-Fi and a bottle of water. For guests, it feels less like an amenity and more like a tax on the simple act of checking in.

Major changes may be coming. Several states are weighing new requirements that would force hotels to list all mandatory fees up front in the advertised price. Airlines already have strict disclosure rules, and legislators argue hotels should meet the same standard. A draft federal rule has also been floated, which would require a single, total price at the beginning of the booking process instead of revealing fees only at checkout. But even if these measures pass, enforcement will take time — and travelers still need to navigate the landscape right now.

That’s where strategy comes in. Resort fees are annoying, but they aren’t always unavoidable. Some brands waive them for elite loyalty members. Others quietly allow them to be removed if a guest isn’t using the included amenities — but this varies widely, and it’s never guaranteed. In Las Vegas, certain properties drop the fee for locals, military members, or on specific promotional offers. In Hawaii, some hotels include significant perks that genuinely add value, such as cultural classes or equipment rentals, making the fee a better deal than it appears.

A crucial point many travelers don’t realize is that resort fees are taxable. If a hotel charges a $40 nightly resort fee, you’ll pay taxes on that fee just like you would on the room rate. That pushes the actual nightly cost higher than expected. On a five-night stay, the difference can easily be $250 or more once the fee and taxes stack together. In an era where travelers are watching every dollar — especially during the winter holiday season — that’s more important than ever.

So what can you do to avoid or reduce these fees? First, always click through to the final booking page before committing. The first price you see is almost never the real one. Compare the total cost, not the base rate, across different properties. A hotel advertising a $129 room with a $40 resort fee is actually more expensive than a hotel advertising $159 with no extra charges.

Second, consider booking with points or free-night certificates. Some loyalty programs waive resort fees when you’re redeeming points, effectively saving you $40–$60 per night. This is one of the few times where using points can deliver outsized value.

Third, look for hotels that clearly state “no resort fees” on their website. These listings are becoming more common as brands recognize the marketing advantage. Boutique hotels and traditional business properties often advertise this upfront to differentiate themselves.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask. Politely asking at check-in whether the fee can be waived sometimes works, especially if you’re not using the gym or pool. You won’t win every time, but travelers report success often enough that it’s worth trying.

Resort fees aren’t disappearing anytime soon, but travelers heading into 2026 are armed with more information — and more leverage — than ever before. With new laws on the horizon, pressure from consumers, and competitive brands pushing for transparency, the tide may finally be turning. Until then, knowing how to navigate these fees is the best tool in your travel bag.

Frank’s “3” Insider Tips:

1. Always search the total price, not the nightly rate.
Hotels love to bury fees. Use booking engines that display full-stay pricing or click through to the final checkout screen before making any decision. It’s the only way to get a real number you can trust.

2. Call the hotel and negotiate — it still works.
Front-desk managers often waive or reduce resort fees for loyalty members, off-season travelers, or guests who simply ask. You’d be surprised how often a polite request saves $30–$60 a night.

3. Stay at properties that proudly advertise “No Resort Fees.”
Independent hotels, business-class brands, and newer boutique chains realize these add-ons frustrate travelers. They highlight fee-free stays as a competitive advantage — and those savings add up fast, especially on longer trips.