I wanted to give 5 stars—until this happened.
Let me start by saying the apartment itself was lovely—I was genuinely happy with the accommodation. But unfortunately, my experience was overshadowed by what can only be described as a blatant money-grab disguised as a “destination fee.”
I had just flown in from the UK and walked straight to the hotel, only to be hit with a $700 charge—that’s over £500. Yes, they try to soften the blow by offering a $35 food credit, but here’s the thing: I came to New York to experience the city, not to be forced into buying hotel food just to justify a fee I never agreed to. I was told if I didn’t use the credit, I’d lose it. That’s not a perk—it’s an inconvenience, and honestly, a bit of a trap.
Let’s be clear:
An American destination fee—also called a resort or amenity fee—is a mandatory extra charge hotels add to the base room rate, often claiming it covers things like Wi-Fi or fitness center access. These fees are considered a rip-off because they’re not included in the initially advertised price, creating a deceptive bait-and-switch pricing model. The U.S. government—specifically the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—is now stepping in to change this, pushing for laws that require hotels to show the full price upfront so guests aren’t ambushed at check-in.
I’ve stayed in New York many times and have never encountered anything like this. I fully understand and accept taxes or a refundable damage deposit. But this was different—non-refundabl
