Bad news, folks. I have a reservation, (made through Hilton on a corporate rate), at the Hilton Orlando in December. I checked my reservation today and there was a bar at the top stating that there will be a $20 per night resort fee! On top of the already outrageous parking fee! I checked the other Orlando Hiltons and at this time it only effects Hilton Bonnet Creek - $22, Waldorf Astoria - $25 and Hilton Orlando - $20. The rest, or lower end hotels are not charging extra. The fee is said to include free in room wifi, local calls, fitness centre access and a variable discount on dining and souvenirs. I am Hilton Gold (therefore I already get everything they are offering in the $20 for free) and called the hotel. I told them that if the fee is not waived I will make arrangements to stay elsewhere (I have 8 nights booked). They said that only because I booked before the fees were announced that the fee will be waived. If, upon check in, they refuse, I will go elsewhere (probably bid). I have never even entertained the idea of staying at a hotel with a resort fee because I think it is a sneaky, underhanded business practice that amounts to extortion. I am still on the fence about staying here because of this new fee, even if it is waived but my kids are really looking forward to it. We will see.
