Tipping At An All Inclusive Resort

[TAPPY]

I would like the wise Playa info folks to give us some thoughts and feedback on this this one.....


Should you tip at an AI resort ??????


Feedback please ......

[Phil in Ottawa]

Hi Tappy,

We tip at AI resorts whenever we feel we are getting good service.

Tips range from a couple of dollars/day for the maids to around $20/week for our friends the bartenders in the lobby bars where we spend a lot of time. We also usually tip about $5 (sometimes more if the service was really good) for the waiters in the a la carte restaurants.

And this year I gave my cigar cutter as a gift to one of the bartenders in the IB* Tucan lobby bar because he thought it was so much cooler than his

Hope this helps.

[Susie Q Roo]

Many A/Is advertise themselves as a "cash-free vacation." That's one of the attractions of being ALL-inclusive - one never has to worry about paying anyone for anything, including paying tips to any employee. Again, if you feel someone has given you exceptional service, or you ask for something over and above the norm, sure, tip them, IF YOU FEEL IT'S RIGHT TO.

Many years ago, I was a travel agent and had gone to travel school to prepare for it. I can't remember how many mock sales presentations we had to give to potential "travelers" where one of our sales tools was the "all tips included" aspect of an all-inclusive vacation.

Just found this on a site called all-inclusives.com:

At all-Inclusive Resorts, you pay one price, sit back, relax and enjoy your vacation!

Most all-inclusive resorts include:
all meals & snacks
alcoholic beverages
taxes & tips
transfers from the airport
most water sports
resort entertainment

[K and P]

Check out the thread about the aircondition at the RIU Playacar its turned into a tipping feud, read it. Yes you should tip, you will see why when you go or if you read that tread you might understand. Thanks its just common descency.

[blondee_yvr]

Originally Posted by K and P

Check out the thread about the aircondition at the RIU Playacar its turned into a tipping feud, read it. Yes you should tip, you will see why when you go or if you read that tread you might understand. Thanks its just common descency.

Not a feud, just some people don't understand and cant accept what all-inclusive means.

Tipping is almost always included in the price of the stay at an AI. If in doubt, check with the hotel and/or travel agent. Don't be selfish and show off your wealth by tipping for average to good service.

Thanks to Susie from Ohio for being honest and upfront.

Again, tipping or gratuities is included in the price:

DO NOT TIP UNLESS YOU RECEIVE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. The key word is EXCEPTIONAL...and ONLY if you want to, despite what anyone else may say.

[Shammy]

OK, you guys are getting worked up over something that is a personal decision.

Tips at an AI resort ARE included, that's the bottom line.

IF you want to tip, that is a completely personal decision.

If you take into account what these hotel employees make per week and how hard they work for that money, 12 to 14 hours a day, you may be more inclined to tip. But it is not required. It is something that comes from the heart. It has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with showing off one's wealth or status and the word selfish doesn't even come into play here. How does showing gratitude for a job well done come off as selfish?

But there are simply some people who don't care nor want to be bothered with carrying money around at a resort that supposedly includes tips into the total amount paid for the vacation. They feel what the worker is being paid is sufficient and it's just not thier duty to add to their salary. That's fine, for every one person that doesn't tip, there is one who does so it all equals out for the most part.

The workers don't see any of your "tip" money, they are paid a base wage and that's it. As much as you don't want to hear it, they do indeed depend on this extra tip money to feed and cloth their families and pay their living expenses. I have spoken to MANY of these workers about this and I have been told over and over how much they GREATLY appreciate anything extra that comes their way but no, most do not expect it. They are just grateful when it happens.

I spent 25 years in the restaurant business and there were times when I had big parties and I was allowed to add an 18% tip to the check. But I knew that my service was over and above what was called for and yes, more often than not, I was tipped over and above that amount. Of course, it didn't happen every time and I fully understood that not everyone is in the position to add an additional amount to the check. Take the good with the bad is a phrase that is most common in the restaurant business.

So please, no one should be berating anyone for tipping or for not tipping. If you want to give additional monies to the staff at your resort, then by all mean, do so. If you don't then by all means, don't. When you figure that you may have just spent $3,000 or more on your vacation, an additional $50 shouldn't make or break the bank. And if it does, then do not feel that you are being forced to tip for services that you have already paid for.

Again, tipping is a personal decision. No one HAS to tip if they don't want to and just because the guy at the bar next to you does, then more power to him. If that makes you feel guilty, then that isn't anyone's problem but your own.

[Robino]

Originally Posted by K and P

Check out the thread about the aircondition at the RIU Playacar its turned into a tipping feud, read it. Yes you should tip, you will see why when you go or if you read that tread you might understand. Thanks its just common descency.

I wrote the following in the above mentioned thread:

I am a little nervous to jump in here. I think you all need a margarita or a couple of shots of tequila. Anyway...., I too was from the thinking AI included the tips, from all the literature I was reading and past experiences at Sandals and Beaches where they could lose their jobs if they were caught accepting a tip. If I didn't have a computer and had never found the several websites out there with the wealth of information, I would have been a little shocked at seeing people giving tips and thinking, "hey, what's up with that, I thought tips were included??" But, through all my research it was OUR decision to tip or not, not this forum or that forum, or people intimadating us. Next there will be arguing over the appropriate amount to tip, this could go on forever and ever. Like Shammy, says, "for every one person that doesn't tip, there is one who does so it all equals out for the most part".

Now, let's all play nice here and I hope everyone has a nice, great, wonderful, stress free vacation!!!!! I know I will!!!!

P.S. We did tip (WHY? bottom line: because they deserved it).

NEXT TOPIC PLEASE.........

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by Robino

NEXT TOPIC PLEASE.........[/size][/color]

So how bout them Yankees?

[blondee_yvr]

I have no problem for tipping when the employees go over and beyond what they are suppose to do. I rarely see it whenever we have been to any AI in Mexico. Even when we tipped the bell boy a few bucks for moving our luggage from one tower to another when we stayed at the Royal Solaris in Cancun, we didn't even get a thank you or a appreciative smile.

As far as wealth goes and tipping, I disagree. Wealth MAY come into play. The guests may feel sorry (feel pity) for the employee and then they may tip him or her regardless of the type of service they receive.

There has been some difference of opinions on this subject and I respect that. I don't agree with K&P's comments in the other post. Those were completely uncalled for and I view them as being almost threatening.

[Andiline]

Well, I did tip in my AI. Who? The maid who made those nice figures out of the towels every day which made me smile every day when I came back from the beach to my room. And the waiters and waitresses who smiled at me, greeted me every morning and evening and saw to it that I got everything I needed during the meals. They all made me feel better in my vacation and I felt a little 'thank you' was the right thing to do although tips might have already been included in the AI-price. But that was my personal decision and I would never tell anybody to do likewise if he or she doesn't want to.

[TAPPY]

Andiline - glad to see you made it back

I too feel it is a good idea to tip for good service at an AI

I got really good service when I went to an AI in Mexico.
yes I know I did not have to tip at an AL !!! But I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do BECAUSE of the level of service I got !!! I would not tip if I got bad service !!! Plus the employees at the resort I went to were very friendly and helpfull. I love Mexico because of this, been to many other vacation beach spots.....and Mexico does it for me, mainly because of the people.

[Robino]

Thanks Shammy

[LOAFFE]

I read all this "tip stuff" before going to our dream vacation at an AI,and the tips we gave came from the heart. However, on our last day, I asked one of the waiters what is the best way to show ourthanks ansd appreciation for the great service, and he said to notify management and specify the employee(s) by name.

So be it. I did exactly that!

[TAPPY]

Excellent idea Loaffe !!!!

[Megw2]

Originally Posted by LOAFFE

However, on our last day, I asked one of the waiters what is the best way to show ourthanks ansd appreciation for the great service, and he said to notify management and specify the employee(s) by name.

That's good to know! We will have to keep that in mind.