Tipping at Amanresorts (and Four Seasons)
Dec 6, 2004, 12:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: BER
Programs: Amanjunkie, LH SEN
Posts: 750
Tipping at Amanresorts (and Four Seasons)
Staying first time at Amanresorts (Amankila and Amanjiwo), Begawan Giri and at FS Jimbaran in Bali, I have the following question:
What is the usual form and amount of tipping at these High-Service resorts, where staff is assisting, bringing, smiling and helping 10 or 20 times a day?
Tipping every staff member for every drink, towel, advice and smile, tipping a big total amount (how much?) at the end of the stay "for the staff" (any danger this will be pocketed in by the hotel or the cashier?!?) or not tipping at all, because there will be 10% service charge added to the bill at the end anyway?
Any advice would be very nice!
What is the usual form and amount of tipping at these High-Service resorts, where staff is assisting, bringing, smiling and helping 10 or 20 times a day?
Tipping every staff member for every drink, towel, advice and smile, tipping a big total amount (how much?) at the end of the stay "for the staff" (any danger this will be pocketed in by the hotel or the cashier?!?) or not tipping at all, because there will be 10% service charge added to the bill at the end anyway?
Any advice would be very nice!
Dec 6, 2004, 5:48 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 570
tipping
Originally Posted by deer
Staying first time at Amanresorts (Amankila and Amanjiwo), Begawan Giri and at FS Jimbaran in Bali, I have the following question:
What is the usual form and amount of tipping at these High-Service resorts, where staff is assisting, bringing, smiling and helping 10 or 20 times a day?
Tipping every staff member for every drink, towel, advice and smile, tipping a big total amount (how much?) at the end of the stay "for the staff" (any danger this will be pocketed in by the hotel or the cashier?!?) or not tipping at all, because there will be 10% service charge added to the bill at the end anyway?
Any advice would be very nice!
What is the usual form and amount of tipping at these High-Service resorts, where staff is assisting, bringing, smiling and helping 10 or 20 times a day?
Tipping every staff member for every drink, towel, advice and smile, tipping a big total amount (how much?) at the end of the stay "for the staff" (any danger this will be pocketed in by the hotel or the cashier?!?) or not tipping at all, because there will be 10% service charge added to the bill at the end anyway?
Any advice would be very nice!
Amanjiwo tip the guy who drives you elephant five dollars and again when you use the pool on your first day give them ten dollars.
At Begawan Giri if Sumatra is your butler then you will feel like giving him all the money you have becouse he is so amazing. Also if you have breakfast down by The Source(spa) and you should tip the person who caries down your food and beverage on their head 300 steps at least 5 USD $
All the services and F&B have a 21% service and tax which really adds up so you won't feel the need or want to tip when you get the bill!
Have the best time!!!
Dec 7, 2004, 9:15 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: BER
Programs: Amanjunkie, LH SEN
Posts: 750
Originally Posted by daniellam
Don't tip unless you speak English with an American accent.
Dec 7, 2004, 9:30 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 570
tipping
Originally Posted by daniellam
Don't tip unless you speak English with an American accent.
Dec 7, 2004, 10:17 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
Zigzag, I agree with your British friend: tipping by a few (apparently this few consists almost exclusively of American tourists) ruins the travel experience for the rest of us.
There is a 10% service charge, and the OP wants to tip additionally? Not necessary, and not a good trend to start. As a general hint for any travel anywhere, including the US, if the merchant includes a service charge, that is the "tip."
If no service charge is included, tips are still not required, with the one exception of the sub-minimum-wage employee classes in the US (waiters and bartenders). Gratuities for normal work-a-day services are not common outside of these exceptions.
There is a 10% service charge, and the OP wants to tip additionally? Not necessary, and not a good trend to start. As a general hint for any travel anywhere, including the US, if the merchant includes a service charge, that is the "tip."
If no service charge is included, tips are still not required, with the one exception of the sub-minimum-wage employee classes in the US (waiters and bartenders). Gratuities for normal work-a-day services are not common outside of these exceptions.
Dec 8, 2004, 1:09 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,124
Originally Posted by fastflyer
Zigzag, I agree with your British friend: tipping by a few (apparently this few consists almost exclusively of American tourists) ruins the travel experience for the rest of us.
There is a 10% service charge, and the OP wants to tip additionally? Not necessary, and not a good trend to start. As a general hint for any travel anywhere, including the US, if the merchant includes a service charge, that is the "tip."
If no service charge is included, tips are still not required, with the one exception of the sub-minimum-wage employee classes in the US (waiters and bartenders). Gratuities for normal work-a-day services are not common outside of these exceptions.
There is a 10% service charge, and the OP wants to tip additionally? Not necessary, and not a good trend to start. As a general hint for any travel anywhere, including the US, if the merchant includes a service charge, that is the "tip."
If no service charge is included, tips are still not required, with the one exception of the sub-minimum-wage employee classes in the US (waiters and bartenders). Gratuities for normal work-a-day services are not common outside of these exceptions.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...us_cda_t_shirt
This way American tourists can speak and act like the British and avoid tipping in foreign countries where tipping is not a custom (but where staff expect them from Americans).
Dec 12, 2004, 11:18 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,432
Amanpulo Tipping
I am replying to you all from the Singapore SQ First Lounge (lucky me!). We are on our way home from Amanpulo.
Amanpulo states very clearly (in writing) that, given the service charges, their staff do not expect to be tipped. If someone goes above and beyond the call of duty you may wish to tip. But it's not expected.
Amanpulo states very clearly (in writing) that, given the service charges, their staff do not expect to be tipped. If someone goes above and beyond the call of duty you may wish to tip. But it's not expected.
Dec 13, 2004, 8:44 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC, GIG
Posts: 334
I agree that there is no expectation at any Asian Amanresorts to tip, as they add 10% to your bill that gets distributed directly to the staff in lieu of tips. At the end of your stay, this will not be an insubstantial amount of money, and in any case you will receive excellent service without the need for a gratuity.
The only employees I have tipped at Amanresorts have been nannys, which seemed appropriate because they spend the entire day and evening at your family's sole disposal. They work for you, and you alone. Therefore, while this service is technically included as well, the extreme effort the nannys expend solely on my behalf, make tipping them seem entirely appropriate (and I assume it is commonly done).
The only employees I have tipped at Amanresorts have been nannys, which seemed appropriate because they spend the entire day and evening at your family's sole disposal. They work for you, and you alone. Therefore, while this service is technically included as well, the extreme effort the nannys expend solely on my behalf, make tipping them seem entirely appropriate (and I assume it is commonly done).