I lately wrote in regards to the subject of tipping lodge housekeeping, and an OMAAT reader requested me to put in writing an identical publish about tipping lodge concierges. It’s one thing I’ve by no means talked about on the weblog, so I believed it could make for an attention-grabbing subject.
I’ll share my take, although I gained’t bury the lede — I’m unsure there’s a proper or improper reply, as a result of the way in which that folks use lodge concierges varies so wildly. It’s not like lodge housekeeping, the place everybody will get their room cleaned equally, with slight variations when it comes to peoples’ cleanliness habits.
Tipping lodge concierges is difficult
There’s a completely large variance to how folks use lodge concierges, and the providers that they provide. Restricted service lodges typically don’t provide “actual” concierge providers, whereas 5 star lodges typically have rockstar concierges who can carry out miracles.
Even amongst lodges with nice concierge employees, the requests folks make are in all places:
- Some folks could ask the concierge for a map of the world, and a suggestion for a close-by hole-in-the-wall restaurant they will stroll to
- Different folks use lodge concierges months upfront of their keep by way of e-mail to safe fascinating eating reservations as quickly as they turn out to be accessible, or some lodges would possibly even use lodge concierges to do luxurious procuring on their behalf
If you happen to’re reserving an excellent high-end lodge, a fantastic concierge employees can be one of many issues that you just’re paying for. The expectation is {that a} $1,000 per night time lodge usually has a extra “related” concierge than a $100 per night time lodge (or no matter). In spite of everything, there are concierges who’re very well-known in sure cities, and may deliver loads to the lodge they’re working at.
Then there’s in fact the overall cultural norms round tipping:
- Maybe the one place on the planet the place lodge concierges are most helpful is in Japan, the place they will help safe wonderful restaurant reservations; nevertheless, tipping isn’t acceptable in Japan, in order that’s an included service
- In the USA there’s the overall tradition of tipping, so it’s customary to tip lodge concierges as effectively
- Somewhere else 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 lodge concierges after they safe onerous to get reservations, or carry out different above-and-beyond duties
How a lot do you have to tip lodge concierges?
I actually assume there’s no proper or improper reply as to what’s acceptable to tip lodge concierges. So let me share a few issues:
- The American Resort & Lodging Affiliation gratuity information suggests tipping concierges $5-10 per service, relying on how concerned the request is; it’s beneficial that this may be paid on the spot, or as a lump sum at check-out
- There are undoubtedly individuals who tip concierges a whole bunch of {dollars}, or much more; that’s on no account anticipated, however in some circumstances concierges fulfill some fairly wild requests
Now, what’s my private take, based mostly by myself travels? The scenario the place I worth a lodge concierge essentially the most is after I’m staying at a luxurious property exterior the USA 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 crew is persistently pleasant and useful all through the keep, I’ll typically 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 persistently serving to me all through the keep, and are pleasant and responsive.
In any other case, I’d say that I typically tip after I’m staying in the USA and an persistently asking for minor issues, like the very best close by espresso store, a restaurant I can simply stroll into that’s informal, and many others. I’d tip $10 or so in these conditions.
In the meantime if I’m simply utilizing the concierge by way of e-mail to rearrange transfers to or from the lodge, I sometimes gained’t tip. That’s additionally partly as a result of I feel that’s a really commonplace service that doesn’t take a lot effort, and in lots of conditions, the lodge is even taking a big fee on that.
Anyway, I’m on no account claiming that my strategy is appropriate, however that’s how I often go about issues… like I stated, I don’t assume there’s a proper or improper reply.
Backside line
Tipping lodge concierges is usually a difficult subject, given the massive number of providers 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 folks have massively various views on how a lot lodge concierges ought to be tipped (if in any respect), and I don’t assume there’s a proper or improper reply. Nevertheless, I feel it’s value acknowledging that, and it’s additionally why I shared my take.
The place do you stand on tipping lodge concierges, and what’s your strategy?
