Are We Having Fun Yet?

I agree with your rant. We (ECR, who last hosted the convention) made sure to negotiate free access as part of the deal. The hotel business is now about keeping apparent rates down for competitive reasons, then screwing the price-insensitive with such things as $5 bottles of water, $18 parking (the Marriott's usual charge, negotiated down to $8 for us), and surprise fees for everything from gym access to local calls. The hotels particularly hate it when you escape their "reservation" to eat; convention committees will always have a hard time getting meal deals and price concessions on extras. Knowing in advance all of the areas where they plan to overcharge and containing them in a contract is very difficult.

So relax and pay; the room rate is higher than you thought! :)