Its been coming for some time now, but as of October of 2009 it appears the new "service charge" or "resort fee" is a reality. Don't be misled by the wonderful low prices you are seeing, remember to add the daily resort fees plus the 12% lodging tax on top of that.
What if I don't want to pay the resort fees?
Well much like the airlines that charge for baggage, you don't pay your luggage doesn't fly, you stay at a Vegas hotel and don't pay the bill, you won't be coming back anytime soon.
They were sneaky about getting this in, even during this year of the worst economy since the great depression and with thousands of new rooms opening up! Can we not get around this? Doubt it, but there is some good news as well. Checking out the web site of one of my favorite properties that is now assessing a $15 plus 12% tax daily charge; they also list the new complimentary services they offer all their "resort" guests:
Admission for two to the Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat (one visit per stay)
Access to the Cardio Center -- basically the gym
Daily Newspaper -- In Vegas, who cares about the news!
Two bottled waters delivered to your room daily -- This rocks!
Bathrobes in your room -- I thought that was a standard?
Unlimited local and toll free calls -- in Vegas who cares! Unless?
Complimentary printing of your boarding pass -- this rocks too!
How do I feel about it? Well, I've not paid the resort fee as of yet, but I'm sure when one of my clients needs my services in Vegas or I attend a sponsored event I will then see the benefits of the charges, my last visit to Vegas was complimentary so I didn't see the bill and assume we were charged a fee.
This brings me to a touchy subject that I want to mention, if the Vegas Hotels had not started this crazy price war and created less luxury within its great properties and more "everybody" can afford to stay attitude resort fees would not be needed. I recently saw a story from a reviewer about his/her recent visit to a very upscale property and noticed something I'm sure the designers had not intended to happen. A bunch of guys hauling a cooler full of beer through the lobby to their room, not only a couple of guys but 6 in one room -- now that eludes the ultimate in class, wouldn't you say? In the past these fun loving guys would of stayed at a more reasonably priced hotel and been allowed to have the best time of their lives and they should be allowed too, but when you have a person sitting at the bar paying $375.00 to $600.00 a night for a luxury suite next to a group of party goers who just scored a room on the Internet for $99 dollars - how do you think that luxury traveler will rate your hotel? Will he or she be back, most certainly the partiers will not, as the rates return to normal in 2011 they will take their business to the Motel 6 off Flamingo to save a couple of bucks.
Wake up Vegas, and put back the standards that we have all become accustomed too and remember that loyalty of a customer who spends a few more dollars is far stronger then the loyalty of a weekend party group -- OH! but you really do know this in Las Vegas, your marketing to your "players" is world class, no other marketing program in the world surpasses it, but yet you down sell your clients at the hotels?
Hmm - my thoughts only! I love everyone who goes to Vegas and everyone should be allowed to be an adult and do what adults do with less restriction - but some boundaries should be followed so all will have a great time! Even me when I'm attending a conference or trade show -- I'm having fun too, the overload to your senses is amazing and the shows are breath taking.
Vegas - the ultimate vacation!
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