A hotel folio is essentially your detailed hotel bill. It's a comprehensive record of all charges incurred during your stay, acting as a summary of your account. Think of it as a running tally of everything you've used or purchased at the hotel. Understanding your folio is crucial for ensuring accurate billing and identifying any potential discrepancies.
What does a hotel folio typically include?
A typical hotel folio will include the following:
- Room Charges: The cost of your room(s) for the duration of your stay, broken down by night. This will reflect your chosen room type and any applicable discounts or promotions.
- Taxes: Various taxes levied on your stay, including state, local, and potentially occupancy taxes. These are usually itemized separately.
- Additional Charges: This is where things can get varied. This section may include:
- Restaurant charges: Meals and drinks consumed at the hotel's restaurants and bars.
- Mini-bar charges: Items consumed from your room's mini-bar.
- Spa treatments: Costs associated with any spa services you utilized.
- Phone calls: Charges for any local or long-distance calls made from your room.
- In-room movie rentals: Charges for pay-per-view movies or other entertainment.
- Laundry/valet services: Costs associated with laundry or dry cleaning.
- Incidental charges: This could include anything from parking fees to internet access charges to gifts purchased from the hotel gift shop.
- Gratuities: Any tips you've left for hotel staff (e.g., housekeeping, room service). These are often added separately but sometimes included in service charges.
- Resort fees (if applicable): Some hotels add a daily resort fee covering amenities such as Wi-Fi, gym access, or pool access. This fee is often outlined separately.
- Total Charges: The final sum of all charges incurred during your stay.
How can I access my hotel folio?
Most hotels now provide several ways to access your folio:
- In-room TV: Many hotels display your folio on the in-room television, providing a convenient way to review your charges daily.
- Hotel Desk/Reception: You can always request a printed copy of your folio from the hotel's front desk.
- Hotel App: Increasingly, hotels offer mobile apps allowing you to view, and sometimes even settle, your folio digitally.
- Email: Some hotels will send an electronic copy of your folio to your registered email address at the end of your stay.
What if there's a mistake on my hotel folio?
If you notice any errors or discrepancies on your folio, immediately inform the hotel's front desk or billing department. It's easier to resolve these issues during your stay rather than attempting to do so after you've checked out. Be sure to keep your folio for your records.
How is a hotel folio different from a hotel invoice?
While often used interchangeably, there's a subtle difference: a folio is a running record of your charges during your stay, while an invoice is the final, settled statement provided at or after check-out. The invoice is essentially a finalized version of your folio.
What is a folio number?
Your folio number is a unique identifier assigned to your hotel account. It's crucial for referencing your account details should you need to contact the hotel about any billing issues.
By understanding your hotel folio, you can ensure a transparent and hassle-free stay, avoiding any surprise charges or billing disputes. Remember to always review your folio regularly during your stay to catch any potential errors promptly.
