Tipping the Lounge Concierge is something that I seldom do at most of the Marriotts, where this person really does not have an opportunity to do much for you other than be friendly and clean up the tables. However, at some of the Lounges, the Concierges do much more, including making restaurant reservations and helping with directions, etc. These services are deserving of a show of appreciation and I will not hesitate to tip at a place where I don't stay often. At my regular stops, where I generally know more about the town than they do, I will not tip the helpful Concierges, rather I will give them something substantial at Christmas.

Now, at the Ritz-Carltons where the Club Concierges can frequently turn a one night business stay into an overnight vacation, it is a completely different story. After four or five glasses of the Jacquart champagne which shows up in those clubs in mufti masquerading as Ritz-Carlton private label and a reservation to a sold out restaurant, tips are the least that I can do for these lovely people.