ByHow to Get Your Sheraton Waikiki Resort Fee Waived
Looking for the perfect island getaway? On the south shore of Honolulu lies Waikiki, a popular Hawaiian tourist destination famous for its surf-friendly beaches and high-rise resorts boasting fabulous ocean or mountain views. Guests of the Sheraton Waikiki enjoy one of the area's prime beachfront locations and access to a wealth of luxury amenities and attractions. It's hard to imagine anything spoiling a much-anticipated vacation in paradise—until you're faced with unexpected resort fees!
The Sheraton Waikiki, a 4-star resort owned by Marriott, is one such hotel that charges its guests daily resort fees on top of an advertised room rate. These hidden fees add up quickly and are difficult to dispute. Now with the help of DoNotPay, you can successfully negotiate your hotel bill and get your .
What Are Resort Fees and Are They ?
is an extra fee, usually charged daily to a hotel guest's bill as an addition to a base room rate. Hotels assert that these fees help them offer you a variety of amenities, such as free parking or gym access. They will also claim that resort fees are mandatory, even if you choose not to take advantage of the covered amenities.
Even though this kind of partitioned pricing structure is generally considered poor business practice, resort fees are, unfortunately, . However, there is a growing movement among legislators to pass bills that would end resort fees as add-ons. Some states, like Nevada, have already declared resort fees unlawful under current Consumer Protection laws.
How Much Is the Sheraton Waikiki Resort Fee and What Does It Cover?
Hotel guests at the Sheraton Waikiki can expect a daily resort fee of $42 plus tax added to their room rate. According to the hotel website, this resort fee covers an array of amenities and activities, including:
- Cultural Activities such as hula and ukulele lessons, lei making and lauhala weaving classes, or a traditional Hawaiian sunrise ceremony. (Complimentary for two guests.)
- Daily Morning Yoga is offered daily in a peaceful environment. (One hour for two guests.)
- A Land Demonstration of Standup Paddle Boarding (15 minutes for two guests.)
- Complimentary Rental of GoPro Camera. (One per room per stay.)
- Complimentary Rental of a MiFi (portable high-speed Wi-Fi device) for use around the island. (One per room per stay.)
Can I Refuse to Pay Sheraton Waikiki Resort Fees?
If you feel Sheraton Waikiki has not been upfront about their extraneous fees for activities and amenities you don't need, you may have a case to refuse the charges. Getting your Sheraton Waikiki resort fees waived can be an arduous process and will rely heavily on your bargaining skills. You can tackle the task of disputing these charges on your own, or you easily and successfully waive your Sheraton Waikiki resort fees with a little help from DoNotPay.
How to Dispute Unwanted Resort Fees on Your Own:
Whether you're looking to get your Sheraton Waikiki resort fees waived, or you need to dispute other unexpected charges related to your hotel bill, it's important to go into your negotiations prepared. Here are some tips that can help you get your resort fee waived:
1) Ask nicely
Politely request to speak with the hotel manager directly to more effectively make your case. Ask them to waive the resort fee, calmly explaining one or more of the following arguments:
| Resort fee coverage | The resort fee covers amenities you did not want or need during your stay, and you should not be obligated to pay for them. |
| Amenities | The offered amenities or services were unavailable/inaccessible at the time of your visit and were thus falsely advertised. |
| Hidden charges | The resort fee was not transparently disclosed to you at the time of booking, and the hotel is arguably guilty of dishonest and deceptive business practices. |
| Loyalty discount | You are a member of an applicable rewards program or a frequent guest and should therefore be given a loyalty discount. |
If you're lucky, you can argue your way into getting your resort fees waived or refunded by the general manager. Chances are, they'll prefer to make you happy rather than face a negative review or potential lawsuit.
2) Dispute the charge
If your direct negotiation with the manager at the front desk is unsuccessful, you still have the option of disputing the resort fee charges with your credit card company. You will need to provide effective documentation of the resort charges as evidence, but most credit card companies will side with customers and agree that resort fees are a scam.
3) File a complaint
Your last option may come down to filing an official consumer complaint against Marriott for charging you unlawful resort fees at the Sheraton Waikiki hotel. Your options may include:
- Filing a complaint about deceptive trade practices with the Hawaiian Attorney General, or the Attorney General in your home state.
- Filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in the form of a review. Marriott will be required to reply within two weeks with a resolution.
If it seems like getting your seems like jumping through a lot of hoops, you'd be right. The process of disputing these kinds of disruptive charges is not only stressful but can put a damper on your entire vacation. If you're uncomfortable with handling the gritty specifics on your own, you can get help in the form of an easy-to-use, automated negotiation process from DoNotPay.
How DoNotPay Can Help Get Your Sheraton Waikiki Resort Fees Waived
There's an easier way to get your resort fees waived or refunded when you use the Negotiate Hotel Bill product from DoNotPay. Let us dispute your Sheraton Waikiki resort fees on your behalf, so you can enjoy a worry-free Hawaiian vacation. Get the automated process started in just 4 easy steps:
- Go to the Hotel Bill Negotiations product on DoNotPay.
- Answer a few questions about your hotel bill, which charges you want to have refunded, and the details of your reservation.
- Tell us whether this is for a past reservation or you're still at the hotel (this helps us decide whether negotiation or chargeback is a better option for your case).
- Choose whether you want us to contact the front desk or general manager (if you've already tried contacting the front desk already).
Can DoNotPay Help Me Negotiate My Hotel Bill for Other Resorts Besides Sheraton Waikiki?
Absolutely! Here's the beautiful thing about DoNotPay's services and products—aside from being easy-to-use, fast, and of course, effective—with the click of a button you can get help lowering hotel bills for almost any resort you can think of! DoNotPay helps you build the best possible case with our Negotiate Hotel Bill product, from Waikiki to Washington DC.
What Else Can I Accomplish With the Help of DoNotPay?
You already know that DoNotPay is in the business of making your life easier, and we have a huge assortment of products that can help you overcome nearly any dilemma. Explore some of our other offerings, such as:
- Dispute Parking Tickets
- Chargebacks and Refunds
- Create Passport Photos
- Complaints Against Any Company
- Tourist Visa Guide