Club lounge bill and gratuity
Oct 17, 2018, 9:32 am
#46
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
If you're getting breakfast in the restaurant, then I don't have an issue with getting the bill. It is a reminder to tip for the buffet, which, IMHO, is 10-15% since you're not really getting waiter service. But in a concierge lounge/club? I would be steamed for getting a "reminder bill" in there for anything at all. Breakfast or evening foods, it comes with the room as either part of the rate or is comped due to Marriott status.
Is this common across Westin properties? I cannot recall ever seeing a bill for a Marriott lounge/club, at any property in any country.
Is this common across Westin properties? I cannot recall ever seeing a bill for a Marriott lounge/club, at any property in any country.
I would only tip in a hotel lounge if one of the attendants went above and beyond to do something out of the ordinary for me. I can't even think of what that might be.
Oct 17, 2018, 10:30 am
#47
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I've not seen this at any Marriott lounges, so not sure it's widespread.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Oct 17, 2018, 10:55 am
#48
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: CLT
Programs: Marriott Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 1,076
Yeah, and I'd also be curious if any of the tip was being shared with those who prepared the food.
Oct 17, 2018, 10:58 am
#49
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: HH Diamond; Marriott Tit, LTP;Omni Black;IHG Spire; Hyatt Glob
Posts: 124
I have very rarely tipped at a Marriott or Hyatt lounge. I regularly tip at a Ritz lounge where the attendants have gone beyond the simple service aspects of their position. We often travel with my sister and BIL, so we can be large work load with before and after dinner requests. Examples include making mix drinks (try the different chocolate martinis at the the Ritz, Atlanta or the summer special sangria at the Ritz, Philadelphia), making dinner reservations, etc., obtaining bourbons or after dinner drinks that are outside of the regular stock. I tip at the end of our stay or if an attendant is off on that day, the last common day that he/she and we are in the lounge.
Oct 17, 2018, 11:54 am
#50
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: ORD (formerly SAN)
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Posts: 1,927
I've certainly been annoyed at times when a large group pays for one clue level room and then they hold the door open so that twenty or thirty of their friends can take over the lounge, of course instantly picking it clean and often moving furniture and leaving a mess when they finally leave.
Oct 17, 2018, 12:13 pm
#51
Join Date: May 2016
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,240
I've never seen this in lounges in the legacy MAR properties I've been to. (Have yet to stay in a legacy SPG property with a lounge post 8/18 - was this a common practice before 8/18?).
When I have breakfast in the restaurant and it's complimentary, getting the bill makes sense to me (and I'll usually live a smaller tip if it's the buffet, larger tip if it's menu service). My only gripe is when I have breakfast in the restaurant and the voucher card says "gratuity included," and I'm still given the bill with the tip line and I'm never quite sure if I should add on a couple dollars tip or not.
When I have breakfast in the restaurant and it's complimentary, getting the bill makes sense to me (and I'll usually live a smaller tip if it's the buffet, larger tip if it's menu service). My only gripe is when I have breakfast in the restaurant and the voucher card says "gratuity included," and I'm still given the bill with the tip line and I'm never quite sure if I should add on a couple dollars tip or not.
Oct 17, 2018, 12:34 pm
#52
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Yes, I've seen this at several properties and agree that it is tacky. But only in USA/Canada.
Oct 17, 2018, 12:47 pm
#53
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
It would be lovely if the Brits learned to drive on the correct side of the road as well. But, the bottom line is that one can't change anything about local custom (or law). All one can do is ask oneself whether the local practice is so annoying that one forgoes travel to that location. That is certainly one's right.
But, deciding that one won't tip won't change local practice. It just means less income from those who depend on tips.
If everywhere in the world were the same, going to other places would not be as much fun as it is.
But, deciding that one won't tip won't change local practice. It just means less income from those who depend on tips.
If everywhere in the world were the same, going to other places would not be as much fun as it is.
Oct 17, 2018, 12:54 pm
#54
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
I think he's saying if he goes to England, he drives on the left. If you really can't/don't want to drive on the left, you shouldn't go to England.
Non-Americans who complain about tipping in the US (and quite a few other countries that never get picked on for that matter) aren't going to change the custom simply by not tipping or complaining about it.
So in your example, if I go to England and drive on the right side of the road, who is wrong -- me or England? It's best to conform to the local laws, customs, traditions, etc. to the extent one is able.
Non-Americans who complain about tipping in the US (and quite a few other countries that never get picked on for that matter) aren't going to change the custom simply by not tipping or complaining about it.
So in your example, if I go to England and drive on the right side of the road, who is wrong -- me or England? It's best to conform to the local laws, customs, traditions, etc. to the extent one is able.
Oct 17, 2018, 1:26 pm
#55
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
I think he's saying if he goes to England, he drives on the left. If you really can't/don't want to drive on the left, you shouldn't go to England.
Non-Americans who complain about tipping in the US (and quite a few other countries that never get picked on for that matter) aren't going to change the custom simply by not tipping or complaining about it.
So in your example, if I go to England and drive on the right side of the road, who is wrong -- me or England? It's best to conform to the local laws, customs, traditions, etc. to the extent one is able.
Non-Americans who complain about tipping in the US (and quite a few other countries that never get picked on for that matter) aren't going to change the custom simply by not tipping or complaining about it.
So in your example, if I go to England and drive on the right side of the road, who is wrong -- me or England? It's best to conform to the local laws, customs, traditions, etc. to the extent one is able.
Oct 17, 2018, 2:13 pm
#57
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Context is your friend. I can't truly answer for another poster, but it's pretty clear to me that he's making the point that you may not agree with driving on the left side of the road, but it doesn't make sense for a visitor to England to try to change that by their actions. It's best to conform in that case. Same goes with tipping. Back on topic, in the US, it's customary to tip in a restaurant but not in a self-service lounge.
Exactly.
Exactly.
Oct 17, 2018, 2:21 pm
#58
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Bonvoy LTTitanium, BAEC Silver
Posts: 590
It's ridiculous to expect non-locals to research what waiting staff/lounge agents are paid before arriving in that country. Life would be so much easier if businesses increased prices by 15% or whatever, paid there staff more and allowed tipping to be discretionary based on the perceived level of service.
Oct 17, 2018, 2:32 pm
#59
Join Date: Jan 2013
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I don't go to the USA. But in many areas of the world, the restaurant bill also has service charge added, usually 10 - 15%. Do you guys have the too?
And do you give tips on top of the S.C. already added to the bill?
And do you give tips on top of the S.C. already added to the bill?
Oct 17, 2018, 2:33 pm
#60
Join Date: Nov 2015
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