Resort fees and tourist tax: what to expect

Two very different charges often get lumped together as extra costs: the resort fee, set by the hotel, and the tourist tax, set by the local authority. Knowing which is which saves nasty surprises at check-out. Here is how each works in 2026, and how to see the real total before you book.

The resort fee (or destination fee)

What it is

The resort fee, also called a destination fee or facility fee, is a mandatory daily charge some hotels add on top of the room rate for amenities (wifi, pool, gym, bottled water, local calls), whether you use them or not.

• Where it is common: US city and resort hotels (Las Vegas, Miami, New York, Hawaii) and some resorts elsewhere; it is rare in most of Europe.
• Typical size: often 25 to 50 dollars or more per night in the US.
• It is a hotel charge, not a public tax.

The good news: US all-in pricing since 2025

Since May 2025 a US Federal Trade Commission rule requires hotels and booking platforms to clearly show the total price including all mandatory fees, more prominently than the base rate.

• A US resort fee should therefore already be in the advertised total, not a surprise on the bill.
• Note: government taxes may still be shown separately even under this rule.

How to avoid or reduce it

• Read the price breakdown before booking and look for resort fee, destination fee or facility fee.
• Some direct rates or loyalty stays waive it, so ask.
• Prefer hotels that clearly state no resort fee.

The tourist tax is a different thing

It is a public levy, not a hotel charge

The tourist tax (or city tax) is set by the city or region and funds local services and tourism.

• It is charged per person per night or per room per night, sometimes as a percentage of the rate.
• It is often not in the headline rate and usually paid at the property at check-in or check-out; children are often exempt.

It varies enormously by city

• Flat per room: Brussels about 5 euros per room; per person by category: Paris, Rome, Florence, Lisbon around 4 euros; a percentage of the rate: Amsterdam, Berlin 7.5 percent, Vienna 8.5 percent; new levies: Edinburgh 5 percent from 2026.
• Some cities charge nothing: Madrid, Seville, Munich, Dublin, Stockholm, Sydney.
• Our where-to-stay guides state the current tax for each destination: compare, for example, hotels in Paris or hotels in Rome.

Resort fee vs tourist tax at a glance

In short

• Who sets it: the hotel (resort fee) versus the city (tourist tax).
• Can you avoid it? The resort fee yes, by choosing a hotel without one; the tax applies to everyone.
• When you pay: the resort fee usually in the total or at the hotel; the tax almost always at the property.
• The US all-in pricing rule covers resort fees but may exclude taxes.

How to see the real total before you book

Compare the all-in price

Edenfinder is a comparison tool: you compare the same hotel across providers and read the full price breakdown before you decide. Booking and payment happen with the provider you choose, not on Edenfinder.

• Compare like for like: the total including mandatory fees, then add the tourist tax you will pay on site.
• Start a search for your destination and always open the price summary.

Your no-surprises checklist

• Before booking, open the full price breakdown.
• Check for a resort, destination or facility fee (common in the US).
• Note the tourist tax for your destination (our guides state it).
• Confirm whether the tax is included or paid at the property, and whether children are exempt.
• Compare the all-in total across providers, not just the base rate.
• Keep cash or a card for a tax paid at check-out.

Good to know

What is a resort fee? A mandatory daily fee some hotels add for amenities, whether you use them or not; it is common in the US.

Did the FTC ban resort fees? No, it did not ban them; since May 2025 US hotels must show the total price including mandatory fees up front, so they are no longer a hidden surprise.

Is the tourist tax the same thing? No, it is a levy set by the city, usually per person or per room per night, often paid at the property.

Can I avoid the tourist tax? Generally no, it applies to all guests; children are often exempt and some cities charge none.

How do I see the real total? Open the price breakdown before booking and compare the all-in total across providers, then add the local tax on top.

Nobody likes surprises on the bill. Tell the hotel charge apart from the city levy, compare the all-in total, and search hotels knowing exactly what you will pay.