Q:
Can you explain how TI’s "Resort-Fee-Optional" offers work? Who in their right mind would pay an additional $28 a night resort fee if it’s optional? There has to be something more behind this.
A:
We, too, were intrigued by this policy when we first heard about it recently; following a call to a very helpful reservation agent, we’re happy to shed light on the innovative concept.
Treasure Island charges a nightly resort fee of $25 (plus tax), which is among the highest level charged by any hotel in town (up there with the likes of the Cosmopolitan, Trump, Green Valley Ranch, Red Rock, Encore, Wynn, and Vdara, but not as high as the $28 at Aria and Bellagio). While among the heftiest, the fee at TI does cover more than many resort fees do. Here’s the breakdown, as clearly stated on the hotel’s website, together with what the included amenities would cost you, if purchased à la carte:

•In room high-speed Internet access ($20/day)

•Access to fitness center ($17/day)

•Two-for-one cocktail — one per stay ($9/each)

•Buy one buffet, get one 50% Off — one per stay ($9-$13/each, depending on meal)

•Daily newspaper at ($1-$2/day)

•In-room local and toll free phone calls ($1/call)

•Printed airline boarding passes ($5/each)

•Copies and faxes — up to 10 pages ($1/each)

•$20 credit for future stay — one per stay ($20)

The hotel excitedly posts that this equates to a "total value of resort-fee amenities" of more than $80, although of course this depends greatly upon how many of those amenities you would ordinarily have taken advantage of. If you’re in town on business and brought your partner along for a jolly, for example, then you might well get close to that value if you eat the dinner buffet and send a few faxes (although who sends faxes anymore? That’s up there for usefulness with those resort fees that include notary services, in our humble opinion.) $20 per day for Internet access is also higher than anywhere else in town was charging the last time we surveyed, but that was a awhile ago, so we’ll look into this and report back. In the meantime, click here for a list of free Wi-Fi hotspots in town (to which we have a few more to add, as soon as time permits; in the meantime if you know of any others, drop us a line).

Still, as our reservationist pointed out, if you want to get online in your room, or use the fitness center, and take advantage of the cocktail offer or the buffet, then you’re going to save money by paying the resort fee. If you plan on returning, the future resort credit almost covers your resort fee the next time around, and you’ll still be getting all those amenities.

Here comes the interesting part: The "resort-fee-optional" deal is available throughout the year and gives guests the opportunity to have that nightly charge waived. If you don’t need Internet or gym access, don’t drink, and have no intention of dining at the buffet, then this flexibility could make total sense and it’s the only resort in town we’re aware of that gives you this option. It was pointed out, however, that TI runs various other room deals throughout the year, and sometimes you’re better off opting for one of those and paying the resort fee — it depends on your travel dates. So, do your due diligence and compare what current offer best suits your requirements; from our understanding, the "resort-fee optional" option is always available.

From Las Vegas Advisor http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com

Free WiFi Hotspot Link http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/showtable.cfm?id=18

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