Do I Have To Leave A Tip At All Inclusive Resorts?

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Permalink Reply by James Scott on June 19, 2009 at 6:51pm

I always take a bundle of singles with me when I go to an all inclusive resort.

You don't have to tip, but the employees at these resorts make very little money. They are really appreciative of tips and you will genrally see an increase in service with a tip. If the beach waiter knows I give a tip when I get a new drink, he/she will usually keep an eye on me and make sure he/she offers to get me a new drink when I am close to being finished with the current one.

I know I don't have to tip when someone carries my bags at an all icnlusive rsort, but come on, they just carried my bags. I agree that it is just common courtesy in most cases and I don't want to seem like a scrooge if someone carries my bag and then I have nothing to offer.

I usually don't leave money on buffet restaurant tables, but I wil tip at the specialty restaurants. I will tip more if the service is above average. I like to reward people who are doing good work.

I don't usually leave a tip at the end of my stay for the housekeeping staff, but that is a good idea. I'm not sure if I would just leave it in the room, but if I know the same person has cleaned my room most days, I will try to hand that person a tip the next time I see them.

One last thought - I have had very good results by leaving a tip on my minifridge. I usually write down what I want and leave a tip. This almost always results in getting exactly what I want in the minifridge.

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Permalink Reply by Paul on July 16, 2009 at 5:15pm

Yep, even if they say I don't have to tip, I like to have some singles with me to reward good service.

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Permalink Reply by lea on August 18, 2009 at 12:05am

Thanks for your replies.

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Permalink Reply by Willie on December 19, 2009 at 5:41pm

I have found that each resort is different. Some resorts really frown on tipping while others seem to have a tipping culture engrained into the resort. Hard to tell which you will find at the resort you are going to unless someone mentions it in a review somewhere. I always take some singles a long just in case.

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Permalink Reply by Paul on January 5, 2010 at 3:09pm

That is true. While I like to give tips, I have been at some resorts where the employees are not so willing to accept them. Other resorts, everyone was tipping and the employees accepted them graciously.

If you are at a resort that doesn't have a tipping culture, the employees will not be so willing to accept them and sometimes the other guests will give you dirty looks.

I always take some singles along to tip if I can and even at resorts where they are not as acceptable, I still try to offer them in certain situations. The employees deserve them and generally appreciate them.

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Permalink Reply by Willie on February 3, 2010 at 11:14pm

For example, if you go to Riu all inclusive resorts, definately have some tip money along. Not only for service, but also to get a table when you don't have a reservation or to tip your housekeeping staff to get a better mini-fridge line-up.

Please post here if you know of specific resort chains where tip money is helpful and part of the resort culture.

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Permalink Reply by James on February 20, 2010 at 10:43am

Even though it is not required to leave a tip, I do as well daily for the wait staff and ywice for housekeeping 2 days into my stay and at the end of my stay. As everyone knows the staff at these resorts are not paid well at all, so any tip given to them is greatly appreciated.. and like wise you will see a great boost in service...

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