One week ago today, a new law went into effect to eliminate junk fees on hotels and entertainment. Well, it didn’t quite do that. It just required upfront pricing of added fees — and lots of Vegas hotels have been doing that for a while now. In other words, the resort fee is here to stay. Does it matter?
🤑 When Did Resort Fees Begin?
Station Casinos was the first Vegas resort company to add resort fees to hotel bills — kind of a surprise considering its reputation as a “locals” casino operator with a consistent free parking policy. It happened in 2004, MGM Resorts followed suit in 2008, and the snowball rolled on from there.
🚫 A Notable Holdout
Caesars Entertainment (then Harrah’s Entertainment) angled for a competitive advantage with a “No Resort Fees” campaign in 2010. There was an official Facebook page, organized showgirl rallies on the Strip, and Planet Hollywood headliner Holly Madison making appearances in a “No Resort Fees Zone” t-shirt. But the company finally gave in and added resort fees in 2013, claiming there was “increasing demand from … guests to provide a package price instead of the inconvenience of separate fees.”
📈 A Steady Increase Over Time
At first, resort fees were relatively modest. $10 or less was common. But the charges have consistently grown each year, and most Vegas resorts have ‘em, topping out at $55 (until the next increase) at the Bellagio, Aria, and Vdara. It’s not unusual for the resort fee to be higher than the sale price of a room during slow periods. A few notable hotels continue to hold out, including the Casino Royale Best Western Plus on the Strip and the Four Queens on Fremont Street.
🤔 Where Things Stand Now
The data is there. Tourists will book hotels despite resort fees, but the damage to long-term goodwill is less tangible to analyze. Studies show that Vegas hotel guests complain most about secondary charges like resort fees and parking along with property disrepair, cleanliness, and poor service when evaluating their visits.
- We continue to ask: Are resort fees hurting Las Vegas? [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]
