Published on August 22, 2025
Hotel workers’ national UNITE HERE is stepping up against nan activity of edifice fees that travellers progressively spot arsenic hidden and unjust. The union’s newest push shows up astatine Curator Collection properties, wherever nan fees, now routinely tacked on, tin climb to $100 a night. The inaugural helps guests spot nan fees connected booking pages, shows them really to inquire for refunds, and explains nan user authorities that tin support nan other charges successful check.
Understanding nan Curator Collection Resort Fees
Curator Collection is simply a soft brand, encompassing astir 75 boutique and edifice hotels crossed nan US, chiefly owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust. These hotels marketplace themselves arsenic luxurious, unsocial destinations, offering guests a unique experience. However, travelers person progressively voiced concerns complete nan edifice fees charged astatine these properties. UNITE HERE’s study shows that nan mean edifice interest astatine a Curator edifice is astir $40 per night, pinch immoderate locations charging fees arsenic precocious arsenic $100, depending connected nan booking period.
These fees are often presented arsenic mandatory charges for services aliases amenities that guests whitethorn not person intended to usage aliases weren’t alert of. Common examples see entree to fittingness centers, Wi-Fi, aliases moreover “perks” for illustration a discount connected a hotel-branded plush mascot aliases a photoshoot pinch nan hotel’s logo. The national argues that specified fees are a hidden measurement to summation nan value of a room without transparency, making it difficult for guests to cognize what they are genuinely paying for.
The Launch of CuratorCollectionCon.org
In consequence to this issue, UNITE HERE has launched CuratorCollectionCon.org, a website designed to pass guests astir nan edifice fees associated pinch Curator Collection properties and supply them pinch devices to return action. The tract helps guests place if their booked edifice is portion of nan Curator Collection, enabling them to cheque for imaginable fees earlier they book their stay.
The website besides provides respective cardinal resources for travelers:
- A elaborate database of nan various names Curator Collection hotels usage for these fees, specified arsenic ‘Amenity fee’ aliases ‘Destination fee.’
- A template missive that guests tin usage to petition a refund for edifice fees, on pinch state-specific laws protecting consumers from being charged for unsolicited services.
- Contact accusation for edifice management, making it easier for guests to scope retired and situation nan fees if necessary.
- Reviews from different travelers who person stayed astatine Curator Collection hotels, offering valuable penetration into their experiences.
By highlighting these issues, nan national hopes to empower travelers to request transparency from nan hospitality manufacture and asseverate their authorities arsenic consumers. UNITE HERE stresses that galore hotels whitethorn beryllium consenting to waive edifice fees upon request, particularly erstwhile guests bring up their concerns.
The Bigger Picture: Why Resort Fees Are Controversial
Resort fees person go a contentious rumor successful nan hospitality industry, pinch galore guests arguing that they are an unfair believe that misleads consumers. While these fees are intended to screen other services for illustration Wi-Fi, fittingness centers, aliases regular bottled water, guests often consciousness that they are being charged for amenities they whitethorn not usage aliases moreover cognize about. Moreover, these fees are typically not included successful nan first room rate, making nan last value of a enactment look overmuch higher than advertised.
Critics reason that edifice fees are a measurement for hotels to debar displaying nan existent costs of a enactment upfront, creating disorder for customers. Travelers are often disappointment by nan deficiency of clarity surrounding these further charges and consciousness arsenic though they are being taken advantage of.
Pebblebrook’s Role and nan Future of Curator Collection Hotels
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, which owns Curator Collection, has promoted nan marque arsenic a cost-saving solution for edifice owners, offering them nan expertise to trim operating costs without adhering to strict marque standards. However, nan brand’s rank has seen a important diminution of astir 37% since its launch, which could propose that nan deficiency of oversight and marque consistency has not resonated good pinch consumers.
Despite nan brand’s challenges, Curator Collection continues to entreaty to travelers seeking boutique edifice experiences. However, nan increasing backlash complete edifice fees could perchance impact its reputation, peculiarly arsenic much guests go alert of their authorities to petition refunds for these charges.
Guidelines for Travellers
If you’re readying to enactment astatine a Curator Collection hotel, present are immoderate tips to guarantee you’re not caught disconnected defender by hidden edifice fees:
- Check Before You Book:
Before finalizing your reservation, reappraisal nan hotel’s policies and look for immoderate mention of edifice fees. Make judge you cognize what services these fees cover. - Use nan Website:
Visit CuratorCollectionCon.org to verify if your edifice is portion of nan Curator Collection and to cheque nan imaginable fees associated pinch it. The website besides offers a refund template to make nan process easier. - Ask for a Refund:
If you find that a edifice interest has been added to your measure for services you didn’t usage aliases request, inquire nan edifice guidance for a refund. Be polite but firm, and make usage of nan resources provided by nan website. - Know Your Rights:
Familiarize yourself pinch authorities laws that protect consumers from paying for services they didn’t inquire for. The website provides this accusation to thief guideline your request. - Leave a Review:
After your stay, stock your acquisition online. Whether affirmative aliases negative, your feedback tin thief others make informed decisions and clasp hotels accountable.
The Bottom Line
UNITE HERE’s preamble of CuratorCollectionCon.org signals existent momentum against edifice fees that person go a staple of nan hospitality sector. The tract arms travelers pinch facts, templates, and guidance to garbage these other charges astatine nan beforehand table and beyond. With a attraction connected clear, straightforward pricing, nan national is rallying guests to clasp hotels accountable. As much group study and speak up, nan anticipation is that nan manufacture will gradually displacement toward pricing that is upfront and fair.