ScottyVegas!

It seems these days all Vegas hotels have screaming deals going on. It’s almost daily that I receive emails announcing incredibly low room rates at some of the strips best properties. But as you sit down to compare all the room offers be warned, all deals are not equal.

As the economy started to sputter in 2008 so did Vegas tourism and room rates. To help boost profits many Las Vegas properties started instituting “resort fees”. Though not necessarily new to the hotel business, they are new to Vegas and they range from a buck or two to over 24 dollars per night! The fee is mandatory and surprisingly enough the fee is even taxed at some places.

Note: Some hotels charge tax on resort fees!

So what does the resort fee cover? Well it varies by hotel but usually it covers such things as internet, newspaper, and local phone service. Some offer things such as free bottles of water while others offer fitness center or spa access (limited), so it all varies. But as a general rule higher resort fees usually include more stuff.

Tip: As a general rule higher resort fees usually include more stuff.

Tip: Las Vegas hotel tax is 12%.

When comparing hotels offers you should do a little homework and find out what, if any, resort fees apply and what it covers. That’s where http://www.vegas.com/incl/resortfees.html comes in. This site clearly lists every casino hotel in Vegas with resort fee amount, if any, plus what the fee includes.

For instance, you might be surprised to learn that all Vegas MGM Resort International properties have the mandatory resort fee (as of this writing, fee varies by property) where Caesars Entertainment (formally Harrah’s Entertainment) properties do not. Once you know this you can make a fare comparison. let’s take a look at an example, Say you’re comparing two offers, one from Planet Hollywood (Caesars) for $62/nt and one from Monte Carlo (MGM) for $49/nt,. For many unaware price conscious people, this may seem like a no brainer and choose Monte Carlo, but is it really the better deal? Let’s break it down with what we now know, we said Planet Hollywood was $64 (room rate per night) + $0 (resort fee) x 12% (hotel tax) = $69.44 per night. Now let’s look at the Monte Carlo offer, $49 (room rate per night) + $15 (resort fee) x 12% (hotel tax) = $71.68 per night, almost $2.00 more per night.

Note: All Vegas MGM properties have a mandatory resort fee (as of this writing, fee varies by property).

Tip: None of the Caesars Entertainment (formally Harrah’s Entertainment) properties charge resort fees.

Don’t disregard an offer just because the hotel charges a resort fee. Here are some things to also consider when deciding where to stay:

• Will you use what the resort fee includes
• Location
• Reputation of hotel/reviews
• Ease of access from room to casino floor/strip/parking garage
• Free self parking/valet services
• Pool(s)
• Clubs
• Spa services
• Complementary shuttle service
• Freeplay/Show offerings
• Restaurants in your price range/taste near by

Tip: Many hotels charge resort fees even on Complementary rooms, this policy varies by hotel.

I guess it will remain to be seen whether or not resort fees survive after Vegas room rates return to normal levels or if negative press and complaints cause them to be discontinued.

In the mean time do your homework when deciding where to stay, compare offers and hotel amenities before making your decision, then relax.

Here are some other posts you might find helpful:

Free Room Upgrade? Let me introduce you to “The $20 Trick”
Plan on using a cab while in Vegas? Read this first!
Las Vegas Rent A Car Tips
Tips on how to find the lowest hotel rates in Las Vegas
YES drinks are FREE in Las Vegas!
 Advice from the Veterans, Las Vegas Traveler Style…
What would you NEVER do again in Las Vegas?

Filed under: Informational, Tips, Trip Planning, Warning | Tagged: Caesars, compare rates, deals, Harrah, hotel tax, MGM Hotels, Resort Fee, Vegas tourism |