Perks worth the price: These hotels offer unexpected amenities with the resort fee
As far as we’re concerned, we’d love to see the end of resort fees. They’re the daily surcharge (its other aliases might be destination fee, amenity fee, etc.) that many hotels add to your stay to cover some of the property’s amenities, from the gym and the bottles of water in your room to domestic calls and use of a business center. This amount can range from $20 to $70 per night depending on where you’re staying — and some properties charge even more. In the past, we've provided tips on how to get out of having to pay resort fees (thankfully, there are hotels out there that avoid them altogether), but for the most part, if a hotel states this fee, guests must pay.
But they’re not all frustrating money grabs — and all hotel resort fees are not created equal. (In 2025, how can Wi-Fi or a gym not be part of a room rate already?) Some resort fees cover unexpected perks and amenities that you may actually want to take advantage of during your trip. These benefits, if you choose to utilize them, could even make the fee worth the price. Now, depending on your interests and the purpose of your trip, your mileage may vary on what makes a resort-fee perk good value. But a museum as well as fitness-class passes plus free drinks and snacks at the lobby bar could be worth it to someone, right?
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
This design-forward 320-room hotel already sits on a pristine 15-acre beachfront estate. And sometimes, that might be all you want out of a Hawaiian vacation. But its $50 resort fee gets you so much more: guided kayak tours and standup paddleboard lessons are there if you’re feeling adventurous; while hula, coconut husking and ukulele sessions are available, too. Fitness enthusiasts will love the twice-daily group fitness classes that this fee covers, too. One of the more surprising benefits is the 45-minute photo shoot around the property with Pacific Dream Photography. The actual photos, however, you will have to purchase.
Rates at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort start at $920 or 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Halcyon, a Hotel in Cherry Creek
The $35 fee at this stylish boutique hotel covers an impressive list of covetable amenities: The house car (based on availability) can whisk you away to addresses within three-miles of the hotel. You get day passes to the Denver Botanic Gardens (worth $15.75 each). The lobby-level Kitchen is constantly putting out drinks and snacks throughout the day. And you’ll have access to the Gear Garage, stocked with tennis racquets, bikes, scooters, board games and more (all of it you can borrow as part of the fee). And while there is a 24-hour fitness center, the hotel also hands out passes to various fitness studios in the neighborhood, including SoulCycle and Climbr.
Rates at Halcyon, a Hotel in Cherry Creek start at $240 per night.
Related: The best Denver hotels to experience when staying in the Mile High City
The New York Edition
This luxury points hotel in Madison Square Park keeps its resort-fee structure straightforward: You pay $35 a night, and you get a $35 Lobby Bar credit, a $40 laundry credit and a $50 spa credit. All credits are extended for every night booked. This might be one of the best fee perks around, considering it includes a healthy mix of what’s practical and what’s indulgent. A resort fee that covers a glass of champagne (or two glasses of zero-proof cocktails) in New York City is one that we won’t complain about.
Rates at The New York Edition start at $581 or 67,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Thompson Seattle
Located near the iconic Pike Place Market, this 158-room Seattle-based Hyatt hotel offers great views and a modern stay. And that’s what the $29 resort fee, one of the lowest around, gets you, too: sparkling wine at check-in, a priority reservation at the rooftop hang The Nest Rooftop Bar & Lounge and modest discounts (typically from 10% to 20%) at local shops, like Armistice Coffee Roaster and Seleuss Chocolates. But one of the major perks here is the complimentary services at Antonio Salon. Just ask the concierge to set up your appointment and get a free bang trim or a dry styling session; otherwise, the salon also offers Thompson guests a 20% discount on other services.
Rates at Thompson Seattle start at $205 or 10,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
At 65 acres with 750 rooms, a 44,000-square-foot spa, a handful of pools and a golf course that hosts the annual Phoenix Open, this resort has plenty to keep you occupied. The $55 nightly resort fee can certainly help ensure a more seamless experience around the property. For instance, courtesy pole rental is included if you want to fish in the lagoon. And cruiser bikes are up for grabs if you want to explore the resort on your own. You’ll also have access to a pickleball court, golf bag storage and preferred rates and tee times on the golf course. You may also want to take advantage of the complimentary shoe-shining. Another excellent perk is the $30 spa credit toward body and facial treatments. This will come in handy if you also want to use the wellness amenities (waterfall treatment pool, sauna, steam room, aromatherapy lounge, etc.) — accessible only to those who have booked spa services.
Rates at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess start at $306 per night.
Related: Fun in the desert sun: A family guide to Scottsdale, Arizona
Four Seasons Resort Whistler
In a mountain resort like Whistler, outdoor adventure is the primary purpose of a visit. But at this upscale chalet-style property, the laundry list of immersive experiences and amenities bundled into the 65 CAD (or approximately $45) resort fee might convince you to invest a bit more time at the hotel. In the winter, this includes wood-burning workshops and snowshoeing tours. During the summer, you can go forest bathing or sign up for a tasting of local beers. This is on top of daily fitness classes and tickets to nearby Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre. And if you did want to venture off on your own, complimentary shuttle service (or a house car) is available, too.
Rates at Four Seasons Resort Whistler start at $748 per night.
Fairmont Mayakoba
In lush, waterfront Mayakoba, there’s already plenty to do, but the $35 feet at this Fairmont (featured in our list of the best all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen) helps you get more out of your stay. For starters, there’s the $40 per room, per stay credit for massages at the spa, and a $20 credit at The Sweet Spot, an in-resort candy shop. The hotel also builds a selection of complimentary daily activities into this fee: catamaran and bird-watching tours as well as tequila and mezcal workshops and the very family-friendly paint-your-own-alebrije class.
Rates at Fairmont Mayakoba start at $306 per night.
Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas
This fancy seaside hotel near San Diego has recently been rebranded as an adults-only property, but not much else has changed since it opened in 2021, including the lineup of benefits its admittedly high resort fee covers. The town of Encinitas is known for its surfing culture so it only makes sense that complimentary surfboard and wetsuit rentals are included. There’s also a weekly sound bath experience and yoga classes to keep the wellness vibes going. The cold plunge and wood sauna were just introduced as free amenities, too. (Similar wet area amenities in the spa are otherwise only accessible to guests with treatment reservations.) And lastly, there is complimentary transportation service within three miles of the hotel, which is an excellent perk if you want to visit nearby golf courses, other beaches or fun local restaurants.
Rates at Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas start at $520 or 30,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.