Here's a little pet peeve of mine…one that's true of many hotels these days but I'll bitch about the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas for doing it. If you go to their website and look up the description of their cheapest rooms — which for some reason, they call "Deluxe Rooms" — here's what it says you get…
- Your option of a King or 2 Queen Beds
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Blow Dryer
- Armoire
- Computer with Internet Access Standard Features
- All guests receive complimentary Valet Parking or Self Parking
Okay, based on the above, is there an additional charge for that Computer with Internet Access? The answer is that there is — it's $9.95 per 24 hours of access — even though the service is listed among features for which they don't charge extra. The price of the room includes the bed(s), the iron, the ironing board, the blow dryer and that doubtlessly-wonderful armoire. I'll bet the room also has an alarm clock, a TV, a Gideon Bible, a toilet, a sink, a bathtub and other luxuries, all covered by the rate you'll be quoted over the phone or on their website…and don't forget about that free parking. (They make it sound like a perk of staying at the Aladdin. Actually, no hotel in Vegas charges anyone for Self Parking and most don't for Valet, apart from the expected tip.)
The only thing on that list that costs extra is the Computer with Internet Access. I'm guessing there are other features that cost…pay-per-view movies, laundry service, maybe a coffee maker or mini-bar…but they don't advertise them as features of the room. Nor do they tell you the rate for this Internet Access unless you specifically ask.
Okay, it's a little point, and a lot of hotels do it. But it still seems misleading to me.