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Are you yearning for a
San Diego beach vacation?
You are not alone. San Diego is the most popular beach getaway
in California. Each year when April turns to May, you can
guarantee that you'll see cheap rates on hotels fade, like that
wave that washed ashore. With advertisements and billboards
strewn across the State of California, sunshine promises to be
only one click away via Internet booking.
I love San Diego as much as the next
person and took note when I opened my email recently to find an
invitation to the
Hard Rock hotel's newest promotion, Intervention Sunday
Rate.
Costing $150/night, the special is
appealing, and well worth a visit, I thought. "Let's book it," I
said to a friend, as we agreed that it would be fun to take a
two hour drive to San Diego just to get away for a day.
Assigned to provide my credit card
and book the room, I began clicking through the booking process,
step by step, and then it hit me in the face. My estimated price
became $216.64!
I sell hotels for a living and have
recently been writing about the padding that's more and more
socking it to those of us who believe it's our god-given right
to have a vacation night.
San Diego has been in a budget
crisis, yet I read recently that they're spending more money
than ever to promote the region as a destination. By the looks
of things, they and everyone else is getting a piece of the pie
when you and I book a room. Here are some charges and fees that
made my hotel room jump by nearly 50% of its stated price.
Estimated room total per night**
Date 4/19 Room Rate 149.00
Room Tax 18.63
In Charge 17.00
Tourism Tax 0.05
Valet parking- required $32.00
Taxes And Fees Details
Room Tax - a 12.5% Occupancy tax.
Tourism Tax - a 5 cent daily California State tax. In-Charge -
a $17 daily charge that keeps guests In-Touch - In-Tune -
In-Shape. It includes:
- Toll free, local and domestic long
distance calling.
- In-room wired and wireless high-speed Internet access.
- Unlimited entry to 24/7 fitness center.
- Unlimited use of the business center.
**The displayed totals are estimates
only and do not include any additional charges that may be
incurred at the hotel. The actual total will be calculated by
the hotel in its local currency, based on the local taxes and
currency exchange rate (if applicable) in effect at the time
charging occurs.
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