European City Tourist Taxes Paid at the Front Desk
In Paris (€5.53–€11.38/person/night), Rome (€6–€10/person/night), Barcelona (€6.25–€7.50/person/night), Venice (€3.50–€5/night), Lisbon (€4/night), and Athens (€1.50–€15/room/night), municipal tourist taxes are mandated by local law and collected directly by the hotel at check-in or check-out.
US Resort Fees & Destination Amenity Fees
Hotels in Las Vegas, Miami Beach, Honolulu, Maui, New York City, and Orlando frequently charge a mandatory daily Resort or Destination Fee ($30–$55/night + tax). Always compare total nightly pricing including taxes and fees across Google Hotels, Booking.com, and Expedia.
Foreign Tourist Hotel VAT Exemptions in Argentina, Colombia & Peru
When visiting Buenos Aires (21% IVA), Bogotá/Cartagena (19% IVA), or Lima/Cusco (18% IGV), foreign tourists presenting their passport and paying with an international credit card are legally exempt from national hotel VAT—saving nearly 20% automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a hotel place a temporary hold on my credit card at check-in?
Hotels authorize an incidental hold ($50–$150 per night) on a physical credit card at check-in to cover room service, minibar, or municipal city taxes; unused funds are released automatically after check-out.
Are VAT taxes included in UK, Australian, and Japanese hotel quotes?
Yes. UK (20% VAT), Australia (10% GST), New Zealand (15% GST), and Scandinavian hotel quotes display tax-inclusive pricing.