At the Made Hotel in New York City, guests are required to pay a “curation fee” of $30 per night for amenities such as coffee, Wi-Fi, and a glass of wine, regardless of whether they use them. The hotel has received attention for giving this mandatory fee a more appealing name. The CEO and president of the Hotel Association of New York City, Vijay Dandapani, found the term “curation fee” to be a unique way of labeling a resort fee, acknowledging its clever use of language.
The Biden Administration has been targeting what they refer to as “junk fees,” which are fees that are mandatory for guests to pay, regardless of whether they use the services or not. Additionally, the administration is focusing on the transparency of disclosing fees early in the booking process. Dandapani believes that the term “junk fees” may not accurately describe the fees charged by hotels, as they often provide value in return. He also mentioned that in a costly business environment like New York, hotels may need to implement such fees to maintain financial stability.
Despite the curation fee being included in the daily rate, guests may not see it until the end of the booking process on the hotel’s website or on online travel agencies. The fee is broken down at the last step before payment, which doesn’t specify which amenities it covers. Guests booking through third-party sites may be surprised by the mandatory fee, as it is not included in the initial price shown. This practice has garnered criticism from guests who feel that essential amenities should be included in the room rate without additional charges.
Reviewing over 760 comments about the Made Hotel on Google, only a few guests have mentioned the curation fee negatively, with some feeling penalized for being charged such a fee daily. Despite this, hotels like Made Hotel continue to defend the necessity of such fees for financial stability. The lack of transparency in regard to the curation fee and how it is disclosed during the booking process may lead to guests feeling misled or surprised by the additional cost, further fuelling the debate surrounding mandatory resort fees.
As federal officials have promised to take action on such practices, the Federal Trade Commission is proposing new rules that would require the travel industry to display fees upfront during the booking process. This initiative aims to enhance transparency for travelers and ensure that they are aware of any additional charges before making a reservation. The movement towards greater disclosure of resort fees and other mandatory charges in the hospitality industry may help protect consumers and prevent any potential confusion or dissatisfaction during their stay. Hotels will need to adapt to these new regulations and practices to maintain trust and transparency with their guests.
