I not too long ago wrote concerning the subject of tipping resort housekeeping, and an OMAAT reader requested me to put in writing an identical publish about tipping resort concierges. It’s one thing I’ve by no means talked about on the weblog, so I believed it might make for an fascinating subject.
I’ll share my take, although I received’t bury the lede — I’m undecided there’s a proper or incorrect reply, as a result of the best way that individuals use resort concierges varies so wildly. It’s not like resort housekeeping, the place everybody will get their room cleaned equally, with slight variations when it comes to peoples’ cleanliness habits.
Tipping resort concierges is difficult
There’s a completely large variance to how folks use resort concierges, and the companies that they provide. Restricted service accommodations usually don’t supply “actual” concierge companies, whereas 5 star accommodations generally have rockstar concierges who can carry out miracles.
Even amongst accommodations with nice concierge employees, the requests folks make are all over:
- Some folks may ask the concierge for a map of the world, and a suggestion for a close-by hole-in-the-wall restaurant they’ll stroll to
- Different folks use resort concierges months prematurely of their keep through e mail to safe fascinating eating reservations as quickly as they change into obtainable, or some accommodations may even use resort concierges to do luxurious procuring on their behalf
Should you’re reserving a brilliant high-end resort, an amazing concierge employees can also be one of many issues that you simply’re paying for. The expectation is {that a} $1,000 per night time resort usually has a extra “related” concierge than a $100 per night time resort (or no matter). In any case, there are concierges who’re very well-known in sure cities, and may carry rather a lot to the resort they’re working at.
Then there’s in fact the final cultural norms round tipping:
- Maybe the only place on the earth the place resort concierges are most helpful is in Japan, the place they may help safe wonderful restaurant reservations; nonetheless, tipping isn’t acceptable in Japan, in order that’s an included service
- In america there’s the final tradition of tipping, so it’s customary to tip resort concierges as effectively
- In different places across the globe it’s difficult, as a result of even when a rustic doesn’t usually have a tradition of tipping, lots of people do tip resort concierges after they safe onerous to get reservations, or carry out different above-and-beyond duties
How a lot must you tip resort concierges?
I really suppose there’s no proper or incorrect reply as to what’s acceptable to tip resort concierges. So let me share a few concerns:
- The American Lodge & Lodging Affiliation gratuity information suggests tipping concierges $5-10 per service, relying on how concerned the request is; it’s advisable that this may be paid on the spot, or as a lump sum at check-out
- There are positively individuals who tip concierges a whole lot of {dollars}, or much more; that’s certainly not anticipated, however in some instances concierges fulfill some fairly wild requests
Now, what’s my private take, primarily based by myself travels? The scenario the place I worth a resort concierge probably the most is once I’m staying at a luxurious property outdoors america for a number of days, and I wish to go to a number of nice eating places. In these conditions, I sometimes admire the enter and reserving help of the concierge.
If it’s a visit to a vacation spot with nice eating places and the concierge workforce is constantly pleasant and useful all through the keep, I’ll generally tip round $20 per day, give or take. Let me emphasize that I don’t use concierges on a overwhelming majority of stays, however that is after they’re constantly serving to me all through the keep, and are pleasant and responsive.
In any other case, I’d say that I generally tip once I’m staying in america and an constantly asking for minor issues, like the perfect close by espresso store, a restaurant I can simply stroll into that’s informal, and so forth. I’d tip $10 or so in these conditions.
In the meantime if I’m simply utilizing the concierge through e mail to rearrange transfers to or from the resort, I sometimes received’t tip. That’s additionally partly as a result of I believe that’s a really customary service that doesn’t take a lot effort, and in lots of conditions, the resort is even taking a major fee on that.
Anyway, I’m certainly not claiming that my method is appropriate, however that’s how I normally go about issues… like I mentioned, I don’t suppose there’s a proper or incorrect reply.
Backside line
Tipping resort concierges is usually a difficult subject, given the massive number of companies that they supply. Some folks will ask for an honest close by pizza place, and others will request 5 reservations at Michelin-starred eating places.
So that you’ll discover that individuals have vastly various views on how a lot resort concierges needs to be tipped (if in any respect), and I don’t suppose there’s a proper or incorrect reply. Nonetheless, I believe it’s price acknowledging that, and it’s additionally why I shared my take.
The place do you stand on tipping resort concierges, and what’s your method?
