Do you tip the concierge in the Exec lounge?
 

I'm curious how many of you tip the concierge in the executive lounge?

Stayed at a Hilton this past week and saw some leaving cash on the desk, some spouting off their room number as they left (what is that about?), some just saying 'thank you' and some nothing at all.

Spouse was asked for our room number once.

Just curious about all of you out there and what your tipping policy is with the concierge. If you choose to tip, what do you tip and for what?

Jelliott

Do you tip a waiter or waitress? Only cheap people do not tip a concierge.

Depends where you are. Tipping in Europe is usually not necessary (except for rounding up the bill). Tipping a concierge (executive lounge) in Europe is usually turn down.

I always tip $1 in Exec Lounge and tip housekeeping $2 daily. I guess I might be in minority.

Marc

Hello.

Most Hotels in APAC add a 10 - 20% service charge to your bill so no additional tipping is needed. And no, in nice restaurants around the world, I do not always leave a tip. It just depends on where I am and the service.

Regards.

I recently tipped the concierge because of service beyond the call of duty.

This concierge arranged a private tour with a driver and made sure all my touring requirements were met.

We have often taken a box of candy to the Executive Lounge folks at our favorite London hotel - they take good care of us when we're there and like to say 'thanks' with something they can share.

For discussion purposes, here's some quotes I got from a gOOgle search; I don't necessarily agree with them acting like all experienced frequent travellers know this. *I personally* never tip when I ask the concierge for a reservation in order to avoid the hotel's $3 charge for a phone call (my pet peeve). But if I do it repeatedly, I leave him/her something at the end of my stay. And tickets or a bus trip would draw a bigger tip, which I never forget. In any case, all these sources seem to think I'm a bit of a cheapster, as I just don't hand the guy $3-10 for calling around the corner to a restaurant, when I don't speak the local language; I've paid the hotel plenty to start with, and in many cases they've tacked on a "service" charge already (outside the US). I'll tip for extras, but the effort of making a phone call isn't an extra. Get me in somewhere exceptional, that's an extra. Arrange a special tour, that's an extra. Send a package for me, that's an extra.

From Fodors.com:
You should also tip your hotel concierge for services rendered; the size of the tip depends on the difficulty of your request, as well as the quality of the concierge's work. For an ordinary dinner reservation or tour arrangements, $3-$5 should do; if the concierge scores seats at a popular restaurant or show or performs unusual services (getting your laptop repaired, finding a good allergist, etc.), $10 or more is appropriate.


From FineTuning.com:
Webster’s Dictionary defines ‘concierge’ as French meaning ‘to serve.’ Concierge services vary from small jobs to more complicated ones. A concierge can make arrangements for your social functions or find that perfect gift for a special someone. If you’re a busy professional, concierge services are imperative. It isn’t necessary to tip, however, depending on the extent of the services, a $5 to $20 tip will be appreciated.

Most upscale hotels have concierge services. It isn’t necessary to tip the concierge unless he provides a service to you. If so, you’ll want to have some small bills on hand to tip him once the service is performed. A $5-$10 tip with a word of appreciation is sufficient.

From HowStuffWorks.com:
The standard amount for the concierge is $5 to $10 depending on how helpful he or she was. If the concierge suggested and made reservations for you at a great restaurant, then you might tip more.

From CNNMoney:
$5 for getting you tickets or reservations ($10-plus if they're hard to get). No tip required when you ask for directions

From DrDaveAndDee.com:
Concierge: nothing for simple questions. But, if they make restaurant reservations, obtain theater tickets for you, make travel arrangements, then $5-$10 per task performed. Put the gratuity in an envelope with a note of thanks and give to the concierge.

From iParenting.com:
Concierge – $3 or more for tickets; if it took extra time, like getting tickets to the best Broadway show, the tip should be 10 percent of the cost of the tickets

From MaxCConcierge - $5-10 for help with hard-to-get dinner reservations or theater tickets. Tipping is optional for just plain advice. Tipping can be done at the end of the trip or at the time of service, just keep is straight so that you are fair.

From CNN (again):
More upscale hotels typically have a concierge who assists travelers during their stay, but some people don't realize they accept tips, and others "wildly overtip," Walther says. The National Concierge Association recommends tipping anywhere from $5 to $20, more when the concierge does something extraordinary.

If you're just asking for a recommendation on where to eat lunch, a tip probably isn't necessary, Walther says, but if the concierge gets you theater tickets and a table at a top restaurant after the show, $20 to $30 might not be inappropriate.

Walter Sanders, of Diners Club International, agrees.

"If a concierge could get me tickets to 'The Producers,' I would consider that miraculous. You're talking about a very generous tip there," he says.

I've tipped the concierge a few bucks when I've stayed late at the lounge (with buddies/colleagues who would also tip as well). Concerning giving my room number, I've only been asked this the first time or so I've used the lounge on a stay. (I assume to find out who I was.) After that the concierge usually knows who I am. A few times I've given my room number as I've left as when I arrived at the lounge the concierge appeared to be temporarily absent. And I always say "Thank you" when I leave.

I have been in many executive lounges (some not a Hilton) and I never tip the concierge unless they have done something for me! Why tip just cause they are there in the lounge??

deleted

Slickrick, I think that again you are not reading the posts, the question was "EXECUTIVE LOUNGE" Concierge's, not normal concierge's. Big Difference. I have never really gotten any special service from a lounge concierge and most times when I ask them something they are clueless, often they only seem to deal with checking that people belong there. If a regular concierge does something "significant" for me, he gets a tip. Telling me where the nearest subway station is, or elaborately taking a free map from its holder and making a big thing about marking the one block walk I have to make to get there (especially when i tell him its not necessary) does NOT warrant a tip.

I tip them exactly what I tip the airline pilots, flight attendents, front desk clerks, gate agents etc.

MisterNice

Also worth noting:
 

Most restaurants, tours comoanies,and activity companies tip or offer some form of incentive or compensation for each guest that a concierge sends to them.

I do not tip the consierge for making standard dinner reservations. I would for someplace special; but standard bistros? No. That is, afterall, their job isn't it? I always tip the maid E4 and the turn down service E2 (in the States $5 and $2). And I leave these tips everyday as I usually have long stays and feel it's unfair to leave a large tip for someone at the end - I like to be sure the person who offers the service gets the tip. Other hotel staff I tip on an "as approriate" basis (laundress, special "housekeeping" requests) and room service even though service is included in the exorbitant charge.