Tipping at All-Inclusive Resorts

[Big]

I really don't want to beat this old donkey to death again, but I have completely different views to you on this point, having run hotels and worked in hospitality for many years. I'd much prefer nobody to tip anyone and for all employers to pay proper salaries. We have laws in the DR that require all hotels and restaurants to give 10% of their revenue to staff in the form of a propina legal. We already add a huge 28% in tax and service charge to every hotel and restaurant bill. The hotels and restaurants should be forced to pay the 10% to staff and they should be forced to pay a decent salary. And by leaving cash tips, you're just encouraging these employers to shirk their responsibilities.

In Europe you either get a service charge added to the check, or you tip. The tax laws in the UK mean that cash tips work against the employer in a lot of cases (as they have to pay sales tax but by law have to give the cash to the server, so they lose) and for this reason a lot of bars have a zero tip policy - if you offer a tip the staff always refuse and will give it back to you. But salaries are good, and in my opinion staff are treated far better than they are by US employers as they get pensions, maternity / paternity pay, sick pay, employment rights etc. etc. None of which you get in a system where you pay a peanuts salary and expect the punters to make up the rest with tips.

So many reasons to stiff hard working people. That is not my world.

 

[Big]

I totally agree. Except you are in a buffet restaurant for breakfast. 30 minutes go by after you sit down. Then a guy comes over with an attitude and takes your order for 2 coffees. Then he he pulls a Houdini and you get Nada. You give a good tip anyway................?????

Come on man, obviously there are exceptions. By and large service people deserve a tip. They are doing difficult work servicing guests.

 

[SKY]

Come on man, obviously there are exceptions. By and large service people deserve a tip. They are doing difficult work servicing guests.

EXACTLY my point.................

 

[playacaribe2]

less than a 1.50 a day for the chamber maid. WOW! why don't you just give her the middle finger.

I guess you have to go to one to see how much they appreciate a tip. Not scientific by any means, but I would venture a guess that 80% of the guests do not leave anything.

Some years ago I asked a bartender who were the best tippers and his reply was in this order:

1. Americans; ( not sure if he could discern that some of the English speaking might be Canadian)
2. Puerto Ricans; ( of course they are Americans as well)
3. Cubans (from Miami)

The bulk of AI guests are of the mindset that tipping is not necessary as it’s all supposedly included in the price they paid.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[NanSanPedro]

My sis and bro in law go to the DR and Mexico AIs at least once a year. They always come with $200 in singles to give out as appropriate. They tell me they always get exceptional service.

We always tipped the waiters at the AIs when we went. They need it more than I do.

 

[keepcoming]

Honestly most of the people I saw at the AI's we visited, left/gave tips. At the bar people I saw were tipping the bartenders, etc. At the restaurants and buffet also. I think people realize that these workers work hard, deserving of the tips. I remember seeing a guest take some water from his mini bar and give it to some of the gardeners at the resort who working out in the hot sun.

 

[playacaribe2]

Honestly most of the people I saw at the AI's we visited, left/gave tips. At the bar people I saw were tipping the bartenders, etc. At the restaurants and buffet also. I think people realize that these workers work hard, deserving of the tips. I remember seeing a guest take some water from his mini bar and give it to some of the gardeners at the resort who working out in the hot sun.

That is not my observation, but then again, tips can often be given discreetly, which is how I tend to tip.

But just an fyi, Sandals resorts frown on tips and employees could actually lose their jobs if they are observed taking one. Fortunately for the DR, Sandals does not have a presence here.

And as to salaries/working conditions for employees, it seems at least one US based hotel chain (Hyatt) has set the bar quite high. From an accountant who left one of the other hotel chains, people at all levels are trying to gain employment there as the word has spread concerning better treatment there.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[Big]

That is not my observation, but then again, tips can often be given discreetly, which is how I tend to tip.

But just an fyi, Sandals resorts frown on tips and employees could actually lose their jobs if they are observed taking one. Fortunately for the DR, Sandals does not have a presence here.

And as to salaries/working conditions for employees, it seems at least one US based hotel chain (Hyatt) has set the bar quite high. From an accountant who left one of the other hotel chains, people at all levels are trying to gain employment there as the word has spread concerning better treatment there.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

Why pray tell would a resort frown on an employee receiving a tip. An employee losing his job for "excepting" a tip. This sounds like pure propaganda promulgated by inconsiderate travelers that also steal hotel towels.

 

[playacaribe2]

Why pray tell would a resort frown on an employee receiving a tip. An employee losing his job for "excepting" a tip. This sounds like pure propaganda promulgated by inconsiderate travelers that also steal hotel towels.

“Excepting” a tip or accepting a tip?

I have no idea why, just that there is a no tipping policy clearly spelled out on their website with only two exceptions.

From their website…”only butlers and spa therapists are permitted to accept tips.”

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[CristoRey]

I totally agree. Except you are in a buffet restaurant for breakfast. 30 minutes go by after you sit down. Then a guy comes over with an attitude and takes your order for 2 coffees. Then he he pulls a Houdini and you get Nada. You give a good tip anyway................?????

Here's my standard approach to tipping regardless of what type of service or which country.
Give good service.
Get a good tip.
Give bad service.
Get good advice.
Next time give better service.

 

[bob saunders]

less than a 1.50 a day for the chamber maid. WOW! why don't you just give her the middle finger.

She is making a lot when you consider the number of rooms.

 

[Big]

“Excepting” a tip or accepting a tip?

I have no idea why, just that there is a no tipping policy clearly spelled out on their website with only two exceptions.

From their website…”only butlers and spa therapists are permitted to accept tips.”

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

"Accepting" you knew that. You also know not tipping is tacky.

 

[Big]

She is making a lot when you consider the number of rooms.

Great thinking Bob, now you can leave 50 cents as a tip and feel good.

 

[billma90]

It really depends on nationality. I just came back from an AI which was all Europeans and nobody tipped anyone. That's more of the culture in Europe where service is either included on the check or you tip but not both. Americans tend to tip everywhere.

I would suggest you tip if you want to and feel that you've got good service, but don't be obliged to tip. There is great competition for good staff to work in hotels, if people don't tip the hotels will have to find the money in salaries and service charges to be competitive.

I usually tip about $500 pesos a day spread around. I always wondered if the person you tip gets to keep the tip or if it goes into a pot to share with all staff?
So about 12000 pesos for a 2 week AI I budget for.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

Every month or so we play the DR1 greatest hits. Overstay, putas, tipping, money movments and ATM, tourism numbers, etc. A non member reading this stuff constantly on playback most likely can't believe how unprepared most folks are for travel outside their home county, let alone country! Who tips with one dollar bills? What is this a West Virginia strip club? Tipping/greasing the palm, incentive pay etc, is done discreetly as a gentleman and is always appreciated. There is a rare disease, I think from a lab in China, called Tightwadedness, and it is a progressive, incurable disease. The good news is there is help! Amen

 

[jd426]

Some cash. He said she should buy herself something nice. She was deeply insulted.

Wait , what , ? Hold the Phone ...

A Dominican Employee or another Hotel Guest ?

 

[JD Jones]

My sis and bro in law go to the DR and Mexico AIs at least once a year. They always come with $200 in singles to give out as appropriate. They tell me they always get exceptional service.

We always tipped the waiters at the AIs when we went. They need it more than I do.

I've said before, when I travel I always buy a couple of packs of 2 dollar bills for tips. People never forget you when you give them some of those. It also helps me put some extra thought into how much to give for each person. Think about it.

 

[RDKNIGHT]

I totally agree. Except you are in a buffet restaurant for breakfast. 30 minutes go by after you sit down. Then a guy comes over with an attitude and takes your order for 2 coffees. Then he he pulls a Houdini and you get Nada. You give a good tip anyway................?????

you give this

 

[bob saunders]

Great thinking Bob, now you can leave 50 cents as a tip and feel good.

As tipping isnt an obligation, I tip when I feel like, and always tip more when I am not with my wife. I usually tip the housekeeping between 3oo and 500. Usually with us they only have to clean the room after we leave, nothing during our stay. We dont drink so no reason to tip barstaff.

 

[bob saunders]

Great thinking Bob, now you can leave 50 cents as a tip and feel good.

Just a fact, Jack, not commenting on whether to tip or not.