WASHINGTON (Reuters) - District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine said on Tuesday he has sued Marriott International Inc (O:MAR) hotel chain for misleading consumers and allegedly collecting hundreds of millions of dollars in profit by charging hidden resort fees.
Resort fees, sometimes called destination or amenity fees, are displayed separate from the hotel room price.
The complaint asked a judge to stop Marriott from charging the fees, which range from $9 to $95.
Racine, in a call with reporters, said he is not seeking to "outlaw" the charging of resort fees, but said that such fees should be fully and fairly disclosed and need to be included in the hotel price.
The lawsuit follows an investigation by state attorneys general from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, Racine said.
Marriott is one of the world’s largest hotel companies and is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.
Marriott said it would not comment on pending litigation.