Valet parking
 

Not being accustomed to paid valet parking, a question. Are you expected to tip each time you leave the car? Each time you get the car? If so, how much?

Andaz Maui REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
 

When dropping off the car, I don't tip. When picking up the car, I tip $2.

Same here, but I'll tip $2 to $5+ depending on how quickly they get the car, their attitude/friendliness, and if they go above and beyond the usual service (for example at the St Regis Princeville where they always put chilled water bottles in our car when we'd head out for the day or if they're giving you directions/towels/etc.).

I'm a bit of a keener.. I'll do $2 to $3 each time I drop off or pick up the vehicle. $5 if I didn't have any change the last time out.

As an ex valet driver, we don't expect anything on drop off unless, you pull up in a 200K car, or if you ask to leave it on top.

I have no idea how a fee (any fee) is justified just because some other hotel(s) don't charge a different fee. $250/week (with tips) for parking is just crazy, outside of a major city, in my book. One need not agree with my opinion, but justifying a parking fee because other hotels charge a resort fee (or a towel fee, or a cleaning fee, or a chair/cabana fee) makes little sense, IMO.

Then don't valet or stay somewhere else. Good luck finding a hotel that doesn't charge any fees.

It's not a question of my staying here or not, it's a question of justifying a fee (one not caring about paying a fee) because other hotels are charging an entirely different fee.

I'll just stay at the Andaz and park on the street for free, thank you... or at the Fairmont where there's a ton of street parking... it's not so rare in Wailea, with a little research.

this is the only opinion that anyone on here should read WRT valet: someone that works in the industry

yup, it's not like they're hurting for land in a downtown metropolis. they just want to pad the pockets. i noticed the street parking at Fairmont when I was there in June but I had booked before the fee took effect so I had self-parking waived.

Why.... I must be a little of the US tipping culture. But we are talking about a hotel who forces you to valet park, makes you pay a substantial amount for the privilege.... and now we are supposed to pay their employees as well for a service most of us could care less about? Why should I care about expectations someone else's employees have? It's not like they are providing a valuable service, far from it I would say.... it's hoping an praying every time they don't damage your car.

Because, in America, if a person's wage from his or her employer factors in expected tips, the right thing to do is tip if you are satisfied with the service.

You might not get it as a European, but that's how it is here. And, even though customers here hold the power to stiff a worker (and I am sure many unfairly do), American service IMHO tends to be better than I have experienced all over Europe. I attribute this in large part to the fact that workers here have an incentive to work harder to get a better tip.

Regardless, if the hotel were to pay the valet attendants the "proper" wage without need for tip -- which you would seem to advocate -- then guess what, the valet parking fee (or other hotel charges) would be higher to compensate. You would be paying for it either way, so it is not like you are any worse off for tipping. So why would you punish the employee for living in a tipping culture?

I would tip an Andaz valet $2 on pickup if I were there.

As I said before.... I value the service of a valet to be worth about zero, in fact I would prefer not to be forced to use them. So I'm not in the category "satisfied with the service". I would rather they all quit because they can earn more somewhere else and I can park my own car....

Someone carrying my bags or bringing me my dinner (my choice to use them) and doing a good job might be a bit different.

At the Andaz, it is your choice to use them, though you may not like the choices you have. You could (1) not stay at the hotel, (2) stay without a car, or (3) park your car off property. If you want to bring your car, you must valet -- part of the package, and your choice to take the package or not.

Likewise, you can't expect go to a nice restaurant at the Andaz and tell them you'll get your own food from the kitchen to avoid paying the server 15%+. Doesn't matter if you have no need for the waiter, or if you're concerned the waiter might screw up your order or spit in your food.

Well said!

If you don't like their philosophy, don't stay there. I'm not sure why you are ranting about tipping valet drivers. This is pretty standard in A LOT of major hotels, whether it be U.S. or Europe. This is not new.