Outrageous hotel charges

[turtlemichael]

The 13 most outrageous hotel charges

It's London-centric but pretty much the same here. I'd add our (almost) unique credit card fees. Grrrr!

 

[Foreigner]

The 13 most outrageous hotel charges

It's London-centric but pretty much the same here. I'd add our (almost) unique credit card fees. Grrrr!

Nothing wrong at all about credit card fees...unlike (both major Aus) airlines charging booking fees, hotel credit card fee is avoidable if you opt to pay by EFTPOS or cash.


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[YSSY]

Unfortunately it can be frustrating, laundry is something that really bothers me. Was in a hotel in Singapore for 2 months earlier this year and of course have no option to get laundry done over that period of time. Got charged S$120 for a small bag of laundry... I used a nearby laundrette for the rest of my stay and my entire 2 month laundry bill with ironing came to something similar to that one small bag.
Water annoys me as well, complimentary bottled water should be mandatory in 4* and above, perhaps even 3* and above.
Also saw a ridiculous article this morning of a guest in a hotel in London where the bar had a minimum charge of £75, so his three sparkling waters were charged at £75...

Although to be honest, I find London cheaper for eating out and coffee then Perth and Sydney. Even Jamie's Italian is cheaper.

 

[RooFlyer]

The bit on breakfast charges in the article is pure amateur hour.

Try $60 for full breakfast, $45 for continental at the Baltschug Kempinski, Moscow, per my current TR.

 

[mannej]

Nothing wrong at all about credit card fees...unlike (both major Aus) airlines charging booking fees, hotel credit card fee is avoidable if you opt to pay by EFTPOS or cash.


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Don't both VA and QF offer fee free options as well?

 

[jetlagger]

The bit on breakfast charges in the article is pure amateur hour.

Try $60 for full breakfast, $45 for continental at the Baltschug Kempinski, Moscow, per my current TR.

Similar to MEL IC.. IIRC think it was $90 for 2 @ paid breakfast .. quick bircher muesli & coffee stop..

 

[turtlemichael]

Nothing wrong at all about credit card fees...unlike (both major Aus) airlines charging booking fees, hotel credit card fee is avoidable if you opt to pay by EFTPOS or cash.


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If you are a foreign visitor then, practically speaking, a credit card is the only option unless you want to risk carrying wads of cash. And it is my simple view as is the case in most countries, the cost to a business of credit card fees is simply a cost of doing business. The fact is we have an agreement between the chains, with others jumping on the bandwagon, to charge 1.5%. In many places that would land you in jail. In Australia it is encouraged by law. But I digress.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

My biggest gripe and on something that is really minor is having to pay for a flat white, cap etc

Westin Syd is one but when you've already been slugged 35 to 40 dollars for a buffet breakfast, think it is way over the top

 

[JohnK]

Plan ahead. I buy what I need at 7-Eleven or similar convenience stores.

In Asia if breakfast not included in room rate and I have to pay more than $5 per person then skip breakfast.

And credit card surcharges should be abolished now. It is a cost of doing business and should be factored into room rates like all other costs of doing business.

 

[dajop]

Recently at Westin Milan, can of coke in Minibar, 8 Euro (>$11AUD). Had it as it was cold and replaced it with the identical can of coke I was carrying around that I'd purchased in a supermarket for 70c ($1 AUD).

 

[YSSY]

Well I will admit to staying in a 5 star hotel minus the breakfast (great deal) and having my kids eat cereal out of the tea cups and storing my supermarket milk in the minibar can't justify spending ridiculous amounts on breakfast buffet for kids when all they want is cereal and a banana.

 

[significance]

What annoys me is when bottled water is left on the bedside and you have to ask whether there is a charge for it, or find out only when you get your bill at the end of your stay.

I appreciate it if the hotel has a free or coin-op guest laundry. Okay if they don't, but in that case I expect (a) the concierge to be willing to tell me where the nearest laundromat is; and (b) the hotel not to object if I choose to do laundry in my sink and hang it to dry in my room. Failures on (a) or (b) in combination with extortionate laundry charges are a reason not to visit the hotel again.