Read the fine print closely before you book a hotel: You could find a hidden cost.

Resort fees − also called destination fees, facility fees and amenity fees − are charges in addition to a hotel's room rate that cover the use of various hotel amenities.

A view of the Global Ambassador Hotel in Phoenix on November 21, 2023.

They're widespread in metro Phoenix and across the country. Depending on the hotel, they can add $20 to $80 per night to your bill.

Efforts to increase transparency about resort fees continue to expand, with hotel chains like Marriott displaying resort fees as part of the average room rate.

The Federal Trade Commission published a rule in December 2024 banning "unfair and deceptive pricing practices" and requiring hotels to disclose the total cost upfront.

Are resort fees illegal now?

The FTC rule doesn't ban resort fees and hotels are allowed to provide a breakdown of the price, but nothing should overshadow "what consumers want to know: the real total."

The rule was part of an effort by former President Joe Biden to end "junk fees" in the lodging and live ticket event industries.

A website called Kill Resort Fees lists hotels nationwide that charge resort fees and provides answers to commonly asked questions. The first question on the website's FAQ page reads, "Why are resort fees bad?"

Its answer: Resort fees allow hotels to tout deceptively low rates by breaking the full nightly charge into one part that's advertised and another part that's hidden until well into the booking process.

That explains why Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued hotel chains like Marriott and Hyatt over how they advertise resort fees. Today, many hotel chains include resort fees in the advertised nightly cost.

Why am I being charged a resort fee?

The American Hotel and Lodging Association, a hotel industry lobbying group, defends resort fees by saying they were created to provide hotel guests with the best value by grouping fees for amenities into one cost, and that hotels are transparent about the fees they disclose.

Resort fees are not a widespread practice, according to the AHLA. About 7% of all hotels charge resort fees, and these hotels tend to be full-service properties.

Phoenix hotels with resort fees and what they cover

Here are the resort fees charged by metro Phoenix hotels and what you get for the money. Taxes on the resort fee are extra unless noted.

Andaz Scottsdale: $50. Internet, access to Cattle Track Arts Compound and preferred access to artists’ studios, Kerr Cultural Center admission, house car drop-off within a 3-mile radius, water refill stations, electric vehicle charging stations, fitness center and classes, recreational activities like bocce, croquet and cornhole. Extra charges: $23 for self-parking, $35 for valet parking.

Arizona Biltmore: $45. Internet, spa access, putting green, bicycle rental, The Twist waterslide at Paradise Pool. Extra charges: $28 for self-parking, $35 for valet parking, $150 pet fee.

Arizona Grand: $80. Internet, valet or self-parking, four passes to the Oasis Water Park, athletic club admission, complimentary practice balls in the warm-up area of the golf course.

Boulders Resort: $35. Internet; self-parking; shuttle; tips for bell service, shuttle drivers and concierge; fitness-center access. Extra charge: $25 for valet parking.

Caesars Republic Scottsdale, A Hilton Hotel: $45. Internet, $15 food and beverage credit, two bottled waters daily, bicycle rental, wellness events, transportation within 2-mile radius. Extra charges: $28 for self-parking, $40 for valet parking.

The Camby: None. Extra charge: Valet parking, the only option, is $40.

The Canyon Suites at the Phoenician: $60. Internet, parking, tennis court, pickleball court, bicycles, car service to and from Scottsdale Fashion Square, hiking gear, morning yoga class, craft beer tasting.

Civana Carefree Wellness Resort & Spa: $68 per guest per night, tax included. Internet, parking, fitness center, local shuttle, resort bikes, water bottle with access to alkaline water hydration stations, more than a dozen daily wellness classes.

The Clarendon Hotel & Spa: $35. Internet, soft drinks and snacks, access to 24-hour fitness center and, if the room is booked through the hotel, breakfast for two. Extra charge: $10 for self-parking. There is no valet service.

Crowne Plaza Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort: $28.50. Internet, parking, golf course, fire pits.

Doubletree by Hilton Resort Paradise Valley: $30. Internet access, two bottled waters, daily fitness class, sports equipment rental, dessert with restaurant entrée purchase, $10 off golf, $15 off spa, $15 off select off-site activities, local/toll-free calls. Extra charge: $20 for valet parking.

Embassy Suites Scottsdale Resort: $25. Internet access, two bottled waters daily, self-parking, use of resort beach cruiser bikes, 10% off any purchase of $50 or more in Azul Clubhouse, tennis court use, resort shuttle within 3-mile radius from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess/Privado Villas: $55. Internet, self-parking, access to 24-hour fitness center (not the spa fitness center), shuttle, $25 credit to Well and Being Spa, fishing pole rental for lagoon fishing, preferred rates and tee times at TPC Scottsdale, electric vehicle charging stations, one-hour bicycle rental, one-hour pickleball court access, water stations at lobby. Extra charges: $28 for self-parking, $40 for valet parking.

Found:Re Phoenix: $20. Internet, 24-hour gym and pool access, property art tours by in-house curator Jordan Zurn. Extra charges: $35 for self-parking, $45 for valet parking available Thursday through Sunday.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North: $50. Internet, morning pastry and coffee in the lobby, use of driving range at Troon North Golf Club, tennis-court rental, pickleball, hiking kit and use of hiking poles, and fitness center and spa access. Extra charges: $28 for self-parking, $40 for valet parking.

Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass: $29. Internet, parking, fitness center, pools, business center, shuttle, luggage storage up to 12 hours.

The Global Ambassador: $45.03, including tax. Internet, fitness center, welcome beverage, two in-room water bottles, one fitness class for two guests each day (excluding Forma Pilates), adventure travel pack, digital newspapers and magazines via PressReader. Extra charges: $35 for valet parking. The hotel validates self-parking for hotel and restaurant guests.

Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort: $50. Internet, health-club admission, bike use, $10 credit at Spa Avania, chipping and putting and preferred tee times at Gainey Ranch Golf Club, tennis court use, welcome beverage, courtesy shuttle within a 5-mile radius, in-room coffee and tea, two in-room water bottles. Extra charges: $30 for self-parking, $38 for valet parking.

The Hermosa Inn: $35. Internet, valet parking, Keurig coffee and tea and bottled water in room, morning pastries and coffee in lobby, fitness room, bikes and helmet rentals.

Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak: $35. Internet, self-parking, four passes to the River Ranch water park, health-club access, miniature golf, tennis.

Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas: $30. Internet access, two bottled waters, parking, daily fitness class, dessert with restaurant entrée purchase, $10 off golf, $15 off spa, $15 off activities, $20 off Fleming's Steakhouse with $100 purchase.

Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort: $39. Internet, self- or valet parking, admission for six to the Falls Water Village, driving range, tennis, 20% off select spa services, 15% off golf apparel.

Hotel Palomar Phoenix: $30. Includes $10 daily food and beverage credit, internet for up to five devices, 15% off spa and salon services, fitness club and classes, bikes, in-room yoga, discounted admission to Phoenix Art Museum, non-event passes for Stand Up Live. Extra charges: Self-parking is $30, valet parking is $44.

Hotel Valley Ho: None. Extra charge: $28 for self-parking or valet parking.

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge: $55. Internet, daily access to the AquaRidge Waterpark for up to four guests, two-hour bicycle rental, driving range, pickleball court, tennis court, fitness classes. Extra charges: $29 for self-parking, $46 for valet parking.

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn: $40. Internet, parking, access to fitness center at the spa, two hours of tennis-court use, three-hour bicycle rental, driving range, welcome drink.

Marriott Tempe Phoenix at The Buttes: $15. Internet, tennis- and volleyball-court use, daily instructor-led activity such as yoga or trail hiking, pool activities. Extra charge: $15 for parking.

The McCormick Scottsdale: $30. Internet; parking; fitness center; in-room coffee and bottled water, kayak, bike and canoe use.

Mountain Shadows Resort: $47.53, tax included. Internet, valet parking, in-room coffee and bottled water, putting green, fitness-center access, electric vehicle charging stations.

Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia: $45. Internet, fitness center, in-room coffee, bocce ball equipment, electric vehicle chargers, bicycle rentals, gelato tastings. Extra charge: $30 for self-parking, $35 for valet parking.

Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU: $25. Pool, fitness center, in-room water. Extra charges: $39 for parking.

The Phoenician: $50. Internet, tennis court, pickleball court and bike use, daily morning yoga, craft beer tasting. Extra charges: $28 for self-parking, $42 for valet parking.

Royal Palms Resort & Spa: $50. Internet, spa and fitness-center use, local shuttle, resort tours, mixology lessons, hiking kit, lawn games, bicycle rentals, electric vehicle chargers. Extra charge: $40 for valet parking. There is no self-parking.

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa: $56.59, tax included. Internet, valet or self-parking, spa and fitness center, pools, tennis and pickleball, transportation via house car service.

Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains: $30. Internet, bike rentals, food and beverage credit. Extra charges: $20 for self-parking, $30 for valet parking.

Scottsdale Plaza Resort: $43, tax included. Internet, valet or self-parking, fitness center, tennis, in-room coffee.

Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass: $29. Internet, self-parking, fitness center, shuttle to Phoenix Premium Outlets, tennis court and equipment use. Extra charge: $22 for valet parking.

Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch: $34.21, tax included. Internet; parking; evening snack with beer, wine and soft drinks; local calls; fitness center; pool towel service.

Talking Stick Resort: $28.51, tax included. Internet, in-room bottled water and coffee, fitness-center use at spa. Valet and self-parking are free; RV parking is $25 per night.

Tempe Mission Palms: $28.52, tax included. Airport shuttle, internet, parking, coffee in lobby, poolside cabana use when available, electric vehicle charging stations.

The Scottsdale Resort & Spa: $40. Internet, fitness center, 15% off dinner at La Fogata Restaurant, 10% off select spa services, bicycle rental, putting and chipping areas at golf club, lawn games. Extra charges: $25 for self-parking, $35 for valet parking.

The Scott: $60. Internet, parking, bicycles, fitness center, area shuttle service, electric vehicle charging stations, in-room Nespresso, daily yoga.

W Scottsdale: None. Extra charges: $20 for on-site self-parking, $30 for off-site self-parking, $57.02 for valet parking.

The Westin Tempe: $30. Internet, food and beverage credit, two-hour bike rental for two people, tequila/mocktail tasting. Valet parking, the only option, is $42.

We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center: $29. Internet, bottled water, in-room coffee, parking, fitness center, business center, free appetizer at WKP Sports & Entertainment.

The Wigwam: $46.65, including tax. Internet, parking, preferred golf tee times, unlimited same-day golf with purchase of a round, fitness center, pool, tennis court, pickleball court, discounted cabana reservations, in-room coffee and tea.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How much is that resort fee? What you'll pay at 46 popular metro Phoenix hotels