Hotel tipping is a delicate art that should be learned. It has to be emphasized that tipping is not mandatory, and some hotels enforce a strict no-tipping policy. Still, having the knowledge is important. There are a lot of expectations and misconceptions about hotel tipping. Listed below are general tips that should prove useful.
 |
| Image Source: economist.com |
Self-service hotels: As the name suggests, these hotels operate with minimum staff. Guests are asked to bring their luggage to their room and act as their own assistant. What the traveler is essentially paying for are the room and the accommodations. For these places, tipping is normally discouraged. Guests, however, may decide to leave a tip for the in-house restaurant. General percentage is around 14 to 20 percent.
Upscale hotels: There is a hierarchy that must be followed. Nevertheless, there is no hard-and-fast rule to all of this. Generally, guests should tip at their own discretion based on the service they received and how satisfied they are with that service. It is not demanded that a guest tips everyone he or she meets in the hotel. Typically tips are given to those who provide a lot of services such as valet parker, shuttle drive, housekeeping, and the like. Concierges, for example, usually receive between $5 to $10 depending on how well they perform, including making reservations or getting tickets. More upscale hotels even contact guests before arrival, making travel arrangements and so forth to make everything seamless and smooth. When the concierge makes multiple arrangements, it is appreciated to offer around $20 to $50 at the end of the guest’s stay.
 |
| Image Source: dailymail.co.uk |
One must remember that gratuity is, as emphasized, a form of monetary gratitude. It should be reflective of how much the guest liked the service received and should also be indicative of good customer service.
John Jefferis is a renowned expert in hotel and resort management. To learn more about him, follow this Twitter account.
