Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for January 05, 2014

Those resort fees should be illegal since they’re not mentioned beforehand.

This hotel should be on Travel Channel’s “Hotel: Impossible” thanks to Rat.

Next, Rat gets out a pickaxe to collect his “mini-bar fee.”

Rat is so much my hero.

Imagine if the Gas Stations of the 1950’s acted like this. Remember when the Extras where o get you to use a place?

Rat says what we all think on occasion but wouldn’t think to do.

That’s a good rat!

it’s like the things on the internet, they say FREE…until your order them….and dem, day not free….SOB

I thought the only hotel that would let Rat in was the Hotel California!

Pastis must have recently stayed at a place like that…

Yeah, definitely with Rat on this one. The one that really sets me off is the “Spa Fee”. I once asked if the Spa services were free since I was getting charged for it. I got a shocked look and an icy “noooo” from the little front desk snot. Have since asked thouroughly about charges and such whwenever I have to stay away. Have found that certain places might have a slightly higher room rate but don’t charge for Internet, fitness and (most importantly) Lobby Coffee.

And don’t forget the lodgers tax of 14.7% added on when you check out.

Someone should have gotten Rat anger management classes for Christmas.

NO, I’d like to see more CROCS……………….

My son worked at a restaurant chain where two managers started charging a “linens” fee for catered events. It was completely made up and they just pocketed the money. When corporate found out, instead of firing the guys they made the fee corporate policy across all their restaurants!

Do all hotels do this, or only resort hotels?

Rat’s bill is about to get even bigger…

@TTMThey went out of business when it was found that corporate execs were embezzling millions. The fish rots at the head they say. I won’t mention the name because a few of the restaurants still exist as independent businesses run by local owners.

Rat with Bat…. frightening thought

I feel bad for the lobby guy

It’s like the joke where the hotel charges the old couple $500 for use of the pool and sauna, which they never used but “They could have”. They charged the hotel $500 for sleeping with the wife, even though they didn’t “They could have”.

I’ve often wanted to use a bat myself.

Many times.

xxx

That “fee” is a total ripoff. I don’t know how they get away with it.

I’ve had personal and business travel recently. For the personal I stay at various chain motels. Prices under $100 a night, free internet, free breakfast. Nothing fancy, but if most of my time in the room is spent working or asleep, who needs anything more?

Then the business: Room was over $400, breakfast was extra and very overpriced, internet was $10 per day. And the bellhops wondered why I stiffed them on the tip.

It seems like they could keep track of who uses some of that stuff, like if you need a key card to get into the gym or pool area.

Careful Rat, this guy look French. You’d probably win against him but loose to “him” in the end.

As it happens, I just checked out of a fairly pretentious hotel today. This hits way too close to home and may be depressing.

Las Vegas heads the list for worst “Resort Fee” ripoff locations. If you are an infrequent visitor there, do your homework online well before you go to save big bucks. It’s amazing how you can get the same and sometimes better “features” included in a resort fee at a 2 1/2 star $40-45 place on Priceline. How’s THAT for a lopsided picture? I’m with Rat all the way on this one.

We stayed at a hotel where they charged us for the safe in the room. We stayed at another where they charged us 60cents a day for telephone usage. Both of these charges were whether we used the service or not. We did not return to those hotels.

What if you don’t use any of them? Can they still charge you? Never mind. Stupid question.