Is this a bogus surcharge?

I'm having my wedding at a country inn in Connecticut. Most of our guests are staying at the inn for the weekend, and so we got $10 off per room per night. Not such a bonus, but fine.
The inn has 38 rooms total, and we'll probably fill 30-35 of them.

So the innkeeper e-mailed me the contract last night, and on the contract for the rooms there's apparently a $250 'Housekeeping Gratuity' that we have to pay. It says that it's for the extra cleanup associated with booking so many rooms for the wedding. I think that's nonsense. The inn is filled to capacity every day in the summer (I know; I tried to get a room there in May and they were booked up for the whole month!). When it's filled to capacity on a normal day, no one has to pay a housekeeping surcharge. Why do I have to pay one because I'm blocking a group of rooms? Are they assuming that my guests will be messier than average guests at the inn? Also, it seems like they're giving my guests $10 off each room, but then charging an extra $8 per room for the privilege of blocking them off.

Is this normal? It's called a 'housekeeping gratuity' but the average gratuity for housekeeping at an inn is what, $2 or $3? Not $8. And we all know that the 'gratuities' that we pay RHs don't make it into the hands of the servers/cleaners; they go to the BM and we have to pay those other people in cash. I know it's only $250, but I feel like I'm being 'nickel and dimed' to death with this wedding, and don't want to pay money for a charge that's just made up.

The innkeeper is pretty inflexible about negotiating, it's like, 'we have a wedding here every weekend and this is what people pay so this is what you will pay'. I haven't talked to him about this yet, and I'd like your opinions on how to phrase it (or, conversely, if I shouldn't say anything at all because this is a normal surcharge). TIA.

I don't know about that but I agree with you. I would call him and say exactly what you wrote. he wouldn't charge every other guest that and this is a form of discrimination. I know...dramatic..but hey whatever works.

If he won't budge on this, I would tell him you'll pay $2 max per room even though you know he's as full of horse duty as the barn out back. Are there alternative places you can put your guests? If so, I would threaten to take your business elsewhere. $10 off per room is not a big savings. Good luck!

First... Hey DAVA! Where have you been hiding lately!!

Second... I would definitely call and question the charge. Let him know that you don't understand the difference between your guests and other guests who aren't staying for a wedding... does he charge all of the guests that stay in the hotel regardless of the reason, that surcharge? Never be afraid to question... to me, that does seem kinda bogus.

Good Luck!

Never heard of that but it doesn't surprise me. Basically the place has you locked in because what is your option not paying it and then they release your rooms. The fact that your are having your wedding at their facility should grant you the common curtsey of dropping this crazy charge. I would discuss this charge with them and voice your feelings of being nickel and dimmed. But in the end they may not care and that Stinks. Speak your mind. This reminds me of a hotel on LI that I looked at to block up rooms. Their surcharge involved the bar and having it opened later than I think 2pm. They want extra money from me so people can spend money at their bar. Crazy but these places get away with this because there is always someone willing to pay.

It's all about the Benjamins baby!!!!

Thanks for the advice.

I've Googled around, and it seems fairly common for a resort to charge a 'housekeeping gratuity' to its guests, and for hotels to charge one when there's a conference or convention. I guess the innkeeper figured he'd pass the cost along to me rather than my guests. But still, I'm paying a $1500 grounds fee, and my guests are paying $200 a room times 30 rooms... I think an extra $250 is just ridiculous. Unless he can guarantee that the money ends up in the maid's pocket as her true gratuity. I'll find out.

Thanks again!

I wouldn't pay a house cleaning fee-they are already getting $$$ from you with so many of your guests staying there. I would tell them, that you are thinking of going to another Inn/hotel that doesn't have a housecleaning fee and see what they say.