How to dispute a hotel resort fee
Resort fees, destination fees and amenity fees are charged on top of the room rate, often per night. They are legal in many cases, but they are also one of the most disputed charges, and hotels do refund them.
Start with what you were told
Find the booking confirmation and any screens you saw when you booked. Was the fee shown clearly, with the total price, before you paid? Take screenshots now. A federal rule on hidden fees, which took effect in 2025, generally requires lodging to show the full price including mandatory fees up front. Check the current rule, and your booking, before you rely on it.
Compare the fee with what you got
List what the fee says it covers: a pool, a gym, Wi-Fi, parking, a shuttle. Then write down what was closed, broken or charged for separately. "The pool was closed for repairs for my whole stay" is a strong reason.
Ask the front desk first, then put it in writing
Ask at checkout, politely. If they refuse, do not argue. Write a short letter to the hotel's billing or guest relations department with your dates, your confirmation number, the amount, and the exact refund you want. Give them a clear deadline, such as 10 days.
If that fails
Write to the general manager, then the hotel brand's corporate customer relations. If you paid by credit card, you can also dispute the charge with your card company, usually within a limited window, so do not wait too long. Our guide to escalating a fee dispute walks through each step.
Want the letter written for you?
Fight That Fee reads your bill, writes your dispute letter, and tells you who to send it to and what to do next. $9.99 to start. Follow-up letters are $2.