Do Virginia hotels have to include resort fees in the advertised price?
Quick answer
Yes. Since July 1, 2025, Virginia requires any advertised or displayed price to be the total price, including every mandatory fee, so a required resort, facility or destination fee belongs inside the room rate. Government taxes can be added. Automatic gratuities only need their percentage disclosed. Willful violations cost up to $2,500 each, and guests can sue.
Short version: the answer is above. If you need to comply, the Virginia mandatory fees & all-in price kit gives you the templates, checklist and official sources for this law. $29 one-time, instant download.
What does the law say? Key facts and official sources
| Item | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Law | Va. Code 59.1-607 to 59.1-610 (2025 Acts, chapters 685 and 686), in force July 1, 2025 | Official source |
| Rule | No supplier may advertise or display a price without clearly showing the total price, including all mandatory fees or surcharges (59.1-608(A)) | Official source |
| Mandatory fee | Any additional fee or surcharge that must be paid to buy the advertised good or service; government taxes and fees and reasonable shipping are excluded (59.1-607) | Official source |
| Hotels and restaurants | Compliant on automatic and mandatory gratuities if every priced offer or ad clearly discloses the percentage (59.1-608(C)) | Official source |
| Discounts | Lowering a price or offering to waive a mandatory fee is not a violation (59.1-609(A)) | Official source |
| State penalty | Virginia Consumer Protection Act: up to $2,500 per willful violation; up to $5,000 for violating an injunction or assurance (59.1-206) | Official source |
| Guest lawsuits | Actual damages or $500, whichever is greater; if willful, up to 3 times damages or $1,000, plus attorney fees (59.1-204) | Official source |
| Last verified | October 20, 2026 | Astor Ventures |
Can a Virginia hotel still charge a resort fee?
The law does not ban the fee itself. It controls how prices are shown: if guests must pay a resort, facility or destination fee to book the room, it is a mandatory fee, and the price you advertise or display has to include it. Taxes and fees imposed by a government or government-approved entity can still be shown separately.
What about automatic gratuities at hotel restaurants and banquets?
Restaurants and hotels comply on automatic and mandatory gratuities if every offer or advertisement with pricing clearly and conspicuously discloses the percentage charged. Every other fee the guest must pay has to be included in the total price you show.
What is the penalty?
A violation is a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (59.1-610). The Attorney General or a local attorney can recover up to $2,500 per willful violation. A guest who suffers a loss can sue for actual damages or $500, whichever is greater, rising to three times damages or $1,000 if willful, plus attorney fees and court costs.
Want it done in an afternoon? The Virginia mandatory fees & all-in price kit turns these rules into fill-in templates, a checklist and a tracker, with the official sources quoted. One-time payment, instant download.
What else do people ask?
Do online booking sites have to follow it?
The rule applies to any supplier that advertises or displays a price in a consumer transaction in Virginia.
Can I promote a deal that waives the resort fee?
Yes. Offering to waive one or more mandatory fees is not a violation.
Are taxes part of the advertised price?
No. Government taxes and fees can be added separately.
Is this legal advice?
No. General information only.
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