Let the lodger beware

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• When you book your hotel, ask about extra fees, such as a "resort fee'' or fees for using the in-room safe.

• Once you arrive at your hotel, look out for "hidden'' charges, tucked into the small print. Some, like a resort fee, may be unavoidable, but it's always worth asking.

• Internet access is often provided in your room. It's not always free. Ask before using it.

• Calls made from room phones to points outside the hotel can rack up fees — at some hotels, $2 a shot. Check the in-room rate card for details. If your cell service includes free calling nationwide and free roaming, it's cheaper to use it.

• What can be more luxurious than room service? Be aware that most hotels add two charges to the room-service bill: a service charge plus a tip.

The "service charge,'' a delivery fee, can run up to $5; it averages about $3 across the country. The tip includes gratuity for the entire room service staff, and generally ranges between 15 percent and 18 percent.

• While we're speaking of breakfast, what about the hotels that offer breakfast deals?

Many times, they're free, but always ask beforehand just what they consist of, so you know what you'll be getting. "Continental'' means you're headed for carb city; "hot'' can mean anything from custom-cooked eggs to a pot of cooking grain cereals.

In some hotels, you can book a room with breakfast the next morning, and the price will include a great meal in the hotel's restaurant. But always ask for the price of a room without the breakfast, and see if the additional price is worth it.
 
• Use the mini-bar at your own risk, or at least read the small type on the rate-of-fare card. That $6 bottle of beer you crave? The "restocking fee'' could be $3.

For a total of $9, buy three beers at the bar down the street and put them on ice in the bucket provided while the ice is still free.