UNITE HERE Calls on Regulators to Investigate Marriott’s Resort Fees

Marriott claims its “destination fees” enhance your stay. The hotel workers union says guests and regulators should decide if that’s true.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--While hotel workers are on strike at Marriott locations in San Francisco, UNITE HERE’s “Resort Fee Ripoff” website has revealed how the company’s "destination fees” are just like unpopular resort fees at other hotels—and in some cases worse.

Just like resort fees, Marriott’s destination fees charge guests for hotel basics like Internet and fail to cover important services like parking, while making customers pay for hotel services they might not even want.

And unlike Hilton and Hyatt, which waive resort fees for members booking with points, Marriott guests still have to pay destination fees when booking with Bonvoy points.

UNITE HERE’s website www.ResortFeeRipoff.org details some of the hotel services that are included (and not included) when you pay a Marriott destination fee in San Francisco. Highlights include:

1.	San Francisco Marriott Marquis ($30 per night)
	What’s Included: One cable car ticket per stay (maximum two guests!) What’s Not: Valet Parking ($91.20 per day, limited spaces, first come first serve!)
2.	The Westin St. Francis ($30 per night)
	What’s Included: Reusable Westin St. Francis water bottles (maximum two guests!) What’s Not: In-room safe (website promises “Safe, in room, for a fee”).
3.	JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square ($30 per night)
	What’s Included: Daily high-speed Wi-Fi What’s Not: In-room refrigerator (not offered at this luxury hotel).

In California, no corporation shall offer their services where the offer includes “unsolicited sending or providing of goods, wares, merchandise, or services not actually ordered or requested by the recipient....” (Cal. Civ. Code § 1584.5.)

Unite Here filed a request with the California Department of Consumer Affairs, asking regulators to investigate these destination fees, which are forcing consumers to pay for unsolicited goods.

Visit www.ResortFeeRipoff.org to find out more.