How to Avoid Hidden Hotel Fees

To keep guests coming through the door, hotels may lavish them with perks such as hand massages, custom-picked pillows and designer shampoos. But, unbeknownst to some guests, the costs of all those little "extras" — even that bottle of water on the nightstand you thought was gratis — will eventually hit your bill one way or another.

After all, adding fees and surcharges is a lucrative practice for hotels. According to a study published by PriceWaterhouseCooper's Hospitality Division last year, the U.S. lodging industry raked in $1.75 billion in fees in 2007, up from $1.6 billion in 2006.

Given an expected slowdown in the travel industry, hotels will likely rely even more heavily on such charges. "If [hotels] see they're losing money in room revenue, they'll do everything they can to increase revenue in other ways," says Robert Mandelbaum, director of research information services for PKF Hospitality Research.

Here's what to look out for when booking your next hotel stay.

That law has prompted hotel companies to be much more transparent, says Mandelbaum. But problems still exist. Travel booking web sites and travel agents may obscure or gloss over under-the-radar fees and policing all of these intermediaries can be quite difficult, he explains.

That makes doing your own research before you book your room even more critical. No matter which method you plan on using to book your room, be sure to call the hotel and ask the reservationist about any fees that may not be included in the advertised room rate. You can also check the hotel's web site where a room or package rate will sometimes feature an asterisk pointing to a vaguely-written caveat that says something like: "Rates do not include hotel charges typically paid by the customer directly to the hotel (e.g.; room service, telephone charges, etc.)." Ask the hotel what that "etc." might include. And if you're staying at a hotel that's part of a larger chain, call that specific hotel directly to ask about fees that may not be spelled out on the companywide site, says Anne Banas, executive editor of travel information web site SmarterTravel.com.

Many posh hotels have installed minibars that come with motion sensors and scales. Move a Snickers over to make room for your doggie bag from dinner and you've now bought yourself a $4 candy bar. David Lytle, editorial director at Frommers.com, calls the practice "dastardly."

"If you put it in your hand, hold it for about a minute, you're charged," he says. "There is a sign warning you about it, but I don't think you should be charged for looking or touching something."