5 mistakes to steer clear of when booking hotels

You might think you've landed an amazing hotel deal, only to be hit with unexpected charges at checkout or, even worse, at the front desk. We've all experienced this.

Sadly, hidden charges and surprise add-ons are becoming increasingly frequent in the travel industry, especially at hotels. Beyond resort fees, we've found hidden costs for extra guests or even housekeeping. Some hotels have also been known to enforce rigid cancellation policies on bookings that are meant to be flexible.

Doing a bit of homework can significantly enhance your travel experience. Here are five key aspects to check before finalizing your hotel reservation to prevent any unpleasant surprises.

Service charges

A frequently encountered surcharge today is the amenity fee, often known as resort fees, facilities fees, or destination fees. These mandatory charges are added to your total bill for each night of your stay. Although you usually pay these fees at checkout, they should be disclosed when you make your reservation.

These additional charges, which can vary from $5 to $40 or even exceed $100 per night, are supposedly for access to amenities like the gym, pool, beach chairs, and Wi-Fi. We've seen places like the Staybridge Suites Times Square impose extra fees for housekeeping, while resorts like Harborside at Atlantis charge for utility services. Some resorts, including Atlantis, also require mandatory gratuities on top of these fees.

Fortunately, you can typically sidestep these fees when booking award stays through Hilton and World of Hyatt. However, Marriott Bonvoy and IHG continue to apply these fees even when booking with points.

Additional guest charges

It's crucial to accurately indicate the number of guests when making a reservation; otherwise, you may incur additional fees. These charges typically range from $5 to $10 for the third and fourth guests, but in some regions outside North America, fees for the second guest can also apply. That said, these fees can occasionally be significantly higher, especially at all-inclusive resorts.

A reader from TPG recently shared an experience where the North Island Resort in Seychelles—a private-island resort bookable with Marriott points—attempted to charge them an astonishing $1,210 per additional guest per night. To make matters worse, this extra guest fee wasn't disclosed during the booking process, and since the resort isn't all-inclusive, the guests received no added benefits.

Rigid cancellation policies

When booking a flexible rate or an award stay, you generally have the option to cancel for a refund up to 24 to 72 hours before check-in. However, this isn't a universal standard. It's essential to check the cancellation policy for each hotel booking, as some properties enforce much stricter rules.

Ski resorts are particularly known for having strict cancellation policies. For example, winter bookings at The St. Regis Aspen Resort come with a 60-day cancellation requirement. The St. Regis Deer Valley generally follows the same rule, although it seems that for the upcoming season, guests will have a 30-day cancellation period.

Certain beach resorts, including the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Hawaii and The St. Regis Maldives, require you to cancel at least two weeks prior to your arrival. In contrast, the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort demands a minimum notice of 21 days for cancellations.

Fees for holding award bookings

Beyond strict cancellation policies, some hotels require deposits for award bookings. If you cancel outside the grace period, you may face a cash penalty rather than losing your points. These fees—often not clearly communicated—can match the cash rate of your stay, potentially costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Although many properties have waived these fees during the pandemic, notable ones that have imposed them include the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, the Westin Rusutsu Resort, and the W Koh Samui.

What’s not included at all-inclusives

When booking an all-inclusive resort, it's crucial to check what is covered and what isn't. There may be additional charges for specific restaurants, activities, premium beverages, and room service. As previously mentioned, resort fees and mandatory tips are common at all-inclusive venues.

Final thoughts

Before reserving your next hotel stay, take the time to research potential extra fees and any strict policies you should be aware of. While many major hotel chains and online travel agencies have improved transparency, each property is different, so it’s wise to read the fine print. If an unexpected fee appears on your final bill that wasn't disclosed on the hotel’s website, you can attempt to have it waived at checkout.