TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands thought hotel tax was 10%

I am asking hotels for availability for an up and coming trip and received this when asked if they were going to have any rooms available. Isn't this wrong or am i unaware of something. I thought it was 10% government tax on hotel stays.

Hello Cindy,

yes we do the rate will be $104.00 plus 20 % tax 7 service. THis is the local rate.

Nanny cay Hotel

Nanny Cay Hotel Receptionist
Nanny Cay Resort & Marina
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
www.nannycay.com
(284) 345-2657

I am wondering if it is a typo? I checked the BVI Government website and it indicates that room tax is 10% effective February 1, 2017.

Wow if it is 20% room tax plus 7% service - Ouch.

You are correct the tax increased from 7% to 10% in February last year.

Cindy-

Our booking for one night at the Moorings Mariner Inn next month had 20% "tax & service" added- same as what Nanny Cay quoted you. We definitely could not have done more than one night, but it helped keep our trip logistics doable. Hope this helps.

Kupe

I have a reservation at Maria by the Sea in May and the receipt shows 10% room tax and a $25 hotel fee per night.

You are correct, the hotel tax is in fact 10%. Most places also charge 10% service charge so I believe you are seeing a typo. It should probably read "$104.00 plus 20 % tax & service". Notice the & is over the 7 on a normal keyboard...

In 2019, please keep Agape Cottages in mind in Cane Garden Bay. We are one of the few places that do not add a service charge. Of course, we are required to add the 10% government hotel tax.

Cheers,
Jason

You may want to double check that rate, too. The lowest they show on their web site for off season is $130 plus the 20% tax & service.

Kudos to you Jason - for not playing the "game" of service charge...
and, for not making visitors think such a charge was mandated by authorities

frustrating and tiring game

Now - if only you could find a way of competing with locals that charge the 7%/now10%taxes, and forget to remit....
Not that this ever happens....

Kudos to Jason too..we have never charged a service charge at CRC either and wont in the future when we have our rental back up..

If only we could get the US hotels to stop the "resort fee" shenanigans! Just put it in the nightly rate and not surprise me with $39 per night to use the phone for local calls in the room.

It was a typo and should have read 20% tax & service. The rate of $104 includes a 20% discount for people using the marina, charter companies operating from Nanny Cay or for local residents.

Thanks for posting. That makes sense, as the 7 should have been an "&", as & is the shift of 7. Personally, I don't like 10% service either, but it's not at all unusual.

Can you send me your e-mail address, I would like to check on availability in April, I can not seem to get it to work on your website.

Please email hotelreservations@nannycay.com or call +1-284-345-2657.
Thanks

Thank you, I will send an email now.

Was just checking prices for For Burt hotel for the night before we begin our charter with Conch in June. Room rate was $99 (very reasonable), taxes were listed at $38.80 (yikes). That is almost 40% in "taxes". Am I missing something here?

Allen

Might be a minor point but does the 10% hotel tax apply to the service/resort/whatever fee?

Welcome to the BVI?

As other's have pointed out, there is a 10% hotel/accommodation tax. So the other $30/night they are charging you is likely their own markup which they are trying to pass off as mandatory such as "service fee", "resort fee", etc etc. This is marketing at it's lowest level. They hook you with their "low" rate then screw you. And it probably works. People use various search engines and find the nightly rate they feel comfortable with only to find out later in the process that the rate really was something higher.

Out of curiosity I checked the Fort Burt website to check on the room rates and extra fees because 38% seems incredibly high.

What I discovered, is that on top of their room rate they charge a $15.00 resort fee, a "10% tax and a 10% city tax". Not sure what the difference is between 10% tax and 10% city tax but that is how they word it. But I am sure one of the taxes is the mandatory government tax and the other "tax" is a service fee.

When I looked at the amenities of the hotel, they offer a swimming pool, free parking and free wifi - I guess this is what the "resort fee" is for.

In any event quite hefty add on fees over and above the room rate.

I really do not understand why hotels itemize "resort fees" versus adding them into the room rate. IMO It makes them appear to be gouging when they list fees this way.

My advice..avoid places that dump hidden fees on you..there are plenty of "honest" places to stay out there and let these people know why you are no staying with them..

That's a genius way to recover lost business!

It was a typo it turned out to be the 20% meant 10% government and 10% service charge that was it. And to Jason helmbrect I so wish Agape Cottages was open this June that's where we usually stay. . .

me too!