We've had previous threads on tipping room maids. Many people, including me, don't tip them at all -- no matter how many times they clean the rooms a day!
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Originally Posted by RichardInSF
We've had previous threads on tipping room maids. Many people, including me, don't tip them at all -- no matter how many times they clean the rooms a day!
OK, so here's a related question: some hotels have taken to adding a mandatory service charge, which is supposed to be in lieu of tips. Do you still tip the bellman despite the service charge?
(the answer for me is "yes"; I have a really hard time stiffing the guy even if he's supposedly been compensated...cultural conditioning, I guess)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeBOS
OK, so here's a related question: some hotels have taken to adding a mandatory service charge, which is supposed to be in lieu of tips. Do you still tip the bellman despite the service charge?
Definately not. Actually, in most luxury hotels that I stay in, this has become common, and I don't tip at all. Ultimately, the service charge is more than I would tip if giving everybody something, so I see no need to give more.
However, in a cheap Marriott or Rennaissance or something, I will.
I recently felt guilty enough to tip, even thought there was a service charge included. The bellman and valet were quick to tell me a service charge was included with the room charge, and gratuities were not necessary.
This was a classy move on the part of the staff. Clearly, the hotel takes care of their employees and guests. I had a small bit of relief the rest of my stay by not having to worry about tipping.
Well, that explain why I got a "thank you" note on the pillow, I left 5$ on my bed on Ritz philly last week (we had a picnic in our room, so I leave a little more than usual).... There is no service charge to my room. I always left a dollar or two depend on how messy my room was that day when I leave (no matter what crapy or lux. hotel I was staying in)... I guess that is not common any more.
When the bill already indicates 15% service charge and (usually) outrageous delivery charge, do you guys add anything at all? What irks me is that even though the bill already says tips not required, there still is a line to be filled in for tip and a total. I think the industry needs to revamp their bill system.
At luxury hotels you should tip the wait staff at the restaurants or room service in accordance with what is customary in the country you are in. (i.e. In Europe, your service is already on the bill and you can elect to leave a token amount more for exceptional service. As for other staff such as maids or bellmen tipping is not generally customary, necessary, or expected. Once at FS, I attempted to tip a concierge for getting a great reservation at an offsite restaurant. When I attempted to give him a tip, he politely declined stating I had already paid for a high level of service.
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Last edited by DataPlumber; Feb 26, 06 at 6:34 pm.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by broadwayboy
When the bill already indicates 15% service charge and (usually) outrageous delivery charge, do you guys add anything at all? What irks me is that even though the bill already says tips not required, there still is a line to be filled in for tip and a total. I think the industry needs to revamp their bill system.
I usually handle this by circling the service charge on the bill and drawing an error from it to the tip line. Some may consider this tacky but I consider it a statement that says, I am not stiffing you or a cheapskate by not adding a tip, its already been done for me.
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I usually handle this by circling the service charge on the bill and drawing an error from it to the tip line. Some may consider this tacky but I consider it a statement that says, I am not stiffing you or a cheapskate by not adding a tip, its already been done for me.
Bet you get strange looks when doing this. I'm totaly with you though no way im gonna tip if im already paying 15/20% service charge allready.
I recently felt guilty enough to tip, even thought there was a service charge included. The bellman and valet were quick to tell me a service charge was included with the room charge, and gratuities were not necessary.
This was a classy move on the part of the staff. Clearly, the hotel takes care of their employees and guests. I had a small bit of relief the rest of my stay by not having to worry about tipping.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cwc
In most lux. hotel, they have twice (some even have 3) service per day. Do you tip twice or three times??
First, depends on the country and custom there...
In the US, it's customary to tip hotel maid. Many people don't whatever. These people make minimum wage and if I'm tipping the guy who took 5 minutes to bring my bags up, I'll tip the maid cleaning my bathroom.
I leave a larger tip when it's multiple services AND the service was good. It's tough to tip separately (you'd have to make it back each day!). But I tip everyday, everytime $5-$10/night. When I leave a note asking for some extra soaps (for my mom , they usually leave a ton after tipping like that.
In places with a service charge (like HKG where the gov't requires it I believe?), I'll top up a buck or two extra.
I had a similar question during our recent stay at a Ritz Carlton where there was a daily resort charge ($30) plus and daily valet charge ($30). I still felt comfortable tipping housekeeping and room service as the resort fee was described as covering internet, phone, beach shuttle, etc. On the second day it occured to me that it was outragous to expect a tip for the valet in addition to the daily fee. I actually felt like they should have cleaned the windshield or something each day for that price. We also tipped the concierge on the club level as they were very helpful and efficient.
Do you tip twice?
, they usually leave a ton after tipping like that. 
