A Marriott hotel that I have been staying at a lot lately commonly has a "tip plate" out on the desk in the Concierge Lounge.

This surprised me for two reasons... 1st, I haven't seen (or at least I haven't noticed) this before in other lounges and 2nd... I never tip in the lounge. It's just never occurred to me do so. Once I got to thinking about it, it does make sense.

I'm curious what you do. I'm pretty sure If I'm the only one who doesn't do this then I would have noticed before.

So, what do you do? Please break it down by breakfast, water, or alcohol. I probably would have tipped for alcohol pay for it, but they never have anything I want to drink. (yes, I'm a beer snob)

Cheers!

Is there an attendant in the lounge?? If so, in North America you should probably tip.

For me this will vary depending on what my impact is... I frequent SPG properties much more often these days, and typically the lounge will do breakfast in the morning, and then some hot appetizers in the evening - seeing as someone has to refresh the food, clean up after me, wash my plate, etc... I think it is only fair that I tip them for this service.

If I'm only pouring my own coffee, or grabbing some bottled water, then I won't tip.

Also, this is assuming an attendant is present, if there is no attendant (honor bar) and the property has just left a collection plate out - you won't find me making any donations.

I personally don't tip for breakfast or water. I usually eat my food, and put my plates on to the dirty plate tray myself, so not really a look of work for the concierge to warrant a tip.

Regarding alcohol... if I serve myself.. then they aren't getting a dime. On the other hand, if it's a lounge that the concierge is pouring the drink, then they may deserve a tip.

Interesting that a lot of the Marriotts i stay at are very firm about not accepting tips! I don't remember having seen a tip plate, jar, cup or basket in any of the Lounges.

But I have seen a few of the staff sitting around their desks and at times not even looking up to see if you need anything.

I spend little time in the CL, and always clear away after myself, so rarely tip.

In the instances where the attendant(s) have been incredibly helpful or provided special food for me, then I will always tip...but usually at the end of the stay in one lump amount. This tends to occur more on vacation stays.

And I do agree with R&R - it seems service in some CL's is rapidly disappearing.

The only place I've ever seen a tip plate was at the Renaissance PHL. I'm curious to know if that is where the OP is staying?

I did feel compelled to tip; especially when I saw that other guests were leaving a few dollars. However, I certainly hope this does not become the norm.

You will find in a few lounges, the attendant becomes fawning and borderline obsequieous (The Boca Renaissance, Omaha Marriott and Norwalk Marriott come to mind). Usually those people are fishing for a tip.

If the attendant has genuinely been of some help beyond the normal attendant's duties (i.e. as a concierge), I will tip. Otherwise, I treat the lounge as self-service.

This is an issue that causes me angst. Tip or no tip?

Last year, I stayed at 40+ different properties with CLs. My experience is maybe 1/4 have tip jars/plates, etc. Another 1/4 has overt tipping on the desk or people leave it on the uncleared tables. The other 1/2 leave me feeling guilty if I don't leave a tip or awkward if I do leave a tip. I've had tips refused - one time by the best CL clerk ever - and felt like I've insulted some by giving them tips.

Sometimes I try to leave a tip on my bill - sometimes it's embarrassing to hand someone cash, and it's easier to get reimbursed if it's on the bill - and some hotels do this, others do not.

At Christmas time, if I'm staying in a hotel where I've gotten to know the CLA, I'll give a larger tip in a card. A few years ago, I stayed in one FS so much I actually purchased the CLA a Holiday gift. (No, not a Fancy Candy Basket, rather a monitor for a computer she had recently purchased and made an off-handed remark about it making her want a new screen, but she thought the prices would be lower after the holidays.)

It's nice to know this confusion is shared. Can anyone from MI tell us what is the correct protocol? Or is it a hotel-by-hotel issue?

What td said, especially if the attendant is also busing the table where I, or my group, is eating.

I usually leave a buck or two under my plate.
There is a great attendandant in the Las Vegas Ren. Lounge(Regina)who always goes out of her way to make me feel welcome=and I repay that kindness.

I have tipped before and have been thanked. I was told by a CL attendant that instead of a tip, she asked that I talk to the GM and make sure he knew how great thing were or weren't. She said that the merit awards that her GM offered were much better and that he needed to know when good things happen, because most of the time he only heard bad things.

Upon checking out I spoke to him and gave a great amount of at-a-boys, and compliments. A month later I returned and the CL attendant thanked me. She also said she received an incentive award and a wage increase.

I guess my two minute conversation was worth much more than a $2 or $3 tip for her in the long run.

I would always encourage all FT'ers to do this when the service rendered deserves it!

Having never worked in the service industry, I can only imagine the crap and fools that these great people have to deal with!

They are not mutually exclusive.

I've been in a lot of CLs but only 2 that i remember a jar/plate...one was the SEA airport FS and one was the Schaumburg Marriott...that one may have even had a sign...

i usually tossed in a couple bucks but not always........i don't have a problem tipping-especially someplace where the concierge acts like one, and not just a food replenisher! (not that i am needy, i just think it is nice if they don't hide in the kitchen or yak on the phone...plus the people in those lounges were very nice....i am just not too sure if i think a tip jar is tacky or not.

at the REN Meadowlands in East Rutherford, the male attendant was hiding in back , barely had any food out, opened 15 minutes late on a weekday and was flirting with a little chickadee from the desk....(yup, had to rat him out-sorry)

I was told by one of the morning CL attendants at the LA Downtown Marriott that a complimentary comment card was much more appreciated than a tip.

That's good to know and I bet that is the case - I have always done a comment card because a tip doesn't involve the boss (and the IRS ) and it seems to me good performance should be recognized by both customer and employer.

Cheers,
Pogopossum