I've checked in to my hotel, dog tired, and need something to eat. The room service menu says there's a cover charge on each order of $2.75 and/or 15% service charge.
The guy who delivers sure looks like he needs a tip. Do I assume the hotel does the decent thing and spreads the service charge around or do I tip him as well?

Views please.....!

I have heard stories all ways. That the delivery person gets all the gratuity added, some of it and none of it. The service fee all goes to the hotel. I know its expensive ordering room service but I always tip.

BTW, I was at the Sheraton Buckhead last month. I wanted something to eat so I stopped by the host stand and asked if I could order something to take with me on a short trip away. Sure they said.... I ordered a Reuben sandwich and french fries. 45 minutes later the hostess handed me a styro box in a bag and the bill... including all the room service charges and fees and tips etc.... I paid the bill, gave no additional tip, and will never stay in that hotel again. I even got a JD Powers survery from that stay. That was the first one I ever replied to!

TW

oops


[This message has been edited by Tolarian Wind (edited 04-28-2000).]

CAUTION: often the small print in a place that adds plus, plus to your bill also adds gratuity. Sometimes the server will tell you so, sometimes they will stand there with an expectant look. Unless you like giving a 30-40% tip, I would take the time to read the fine print on the room service menu...

A service charge IS a gratuity IS a tip. If the menu says service included, I do not tip extra despite the mournful pleading of the waiter unless service is somehow exceptional.

I agree with QuietLion, when the bill states that an additional fee of $2 or $3 plus a service charge of 18% plus taxes will be added to your order--I won't add any additional tip on---unless as others have stated that the delivery person did something extraordinary!

A service charge of whatever amount is just that--a charge the hotel adds on to your bill for service. The server in most instances, and I do mean MOST, does not get this service charge. Because some hotel servers have complained to management in the past, some hotels have opted to add a gratuity to the total. If so, most often the chit you sign will say or have stamped on it, "Gratuity Included". Instead of taking the time to read the fine print, I usually ask the server if the gratuity is included in the total. You could even take an extra 30 seconds when you call Room Service to ask if the gratuity is included in the total that the server will bring you to sign. These people survive on tips just as a server in a restaurant.

I always tip, but I'm very insecure.

Instead of taking the time to read the fine print, I usually ask the server if the gratuity is included in the total. You could even take an extra 30 seconds when you call Room Service to ask if the gratuity is included in the total that the server will bring you to sign. These people survive on tips just as a server in a restaurant.

In my opinion (and even more important in foreign countries) perfect advise from nanook. In Switzerland, the tip (15%) is always, by law, included in the bill (Restaurants, taxis, ect) but you often round up (5%),