Question on tipping when staying concierge?

[Lisa3]

This will be our first trip staying concierge at the Polynesian and I want to make sure I follow the appropriate rules of tipping (we do not travel much so I am a little naive). On our last two trips I tipped mousekeeping $5 per day for the 5 of us (we always left our room very neat). I have to say that the service we received at POR several years ago was beyond what we received at the Polynesian this past Dec. (I know the kid's "animals" can get out of hand sometimes but for your kids to find them in a heap on the floor is uncalled for.)

I know you need to tip the person who brings your bags to your room. I have read that some of you tip for turn-down service but I thought that this was part of the concierge service you were already paying for. Any info would be appreciated. DH is not opposed to tipping for a job well done but working in a service business himself does not feel it necessary to tip for services you are already paying for. Also, any suggestions for a nice gift for the concierge staff would be welcome.

 

[ducklite]

It is not the concierge staff that does the turn-down service, it is housekeeping. So you are NOT "paying for that service" directly.

I always leave $2 each evening for turn-down.

Anne

 

[Lisa3]

Thank you for your response Ducklite. I am not trying to start a debate here but housekeeping is included in the cost of your room. Since I am paying $60+ over a standard GV for the priviledge of staying concierge (and I have read over and over on these boards not to expect to make up the difference in food) the additional cost should include the extra services you receive. I wholeheartedly agree that exceptional service should be rewarded (and I will continue to tip housekeeping for cleaning services) but I tend to agree with DH that some things are expected when you are paying a higher rate.

Again, please don't think I am trying to nickle and dime here but we also worked very hard (DH does manual labor harder than any cleaning I've ever done) to be able to give ourselves a once in a lifetime treat for our 20th anniversary.

 

[ducklite]

I'm sure your DH does work hard, but I'll bet he also makes a LOT more wages than an average housekeeper.

To me, staying in a hotel is the same as eating in a restaurant. The cost of tipping is factored in to the price, and if I can't afford it, I stay someplace that will cost less.

I will say that I really like the policy at another resort we frequent. They charge $8 per day as housekeeping gratuities which are given to the morning housekeeper and turndown service proportionally.

Anne

 

[BowlingAriel]

Lisa3

I totally agree with you I expect turn down service to be part of the "60+" more you are paying a nite. When you stay at a Value resort you don't get turn down. Whats the saying....."You get what you pay for" and the price that Concierge costs there should be more benefits besides the food.

As far as extra tipping.....I don't tip if the service is terrible. I leave a tip starting after the first day depending on the "cleanliness" of my room. Don't let anyone bully you into thinking you HAVE to tip and its YOUR OBLIGATION to subsidize the housekeeping's salary. We pay enough for tickets and hotels, its DISNEY's job to pay their CM's

OK sorry, I am off my soap box. It is a very sore subject with me.......
I hope you enjoy your 20th and have a Magical Visit!

 

[manhattan]

BowlingAriel- I was looking at your signature with the days and resort you have stayed at and saw that you stayed 1 day at Poly Concierge and then moved over to the BC- was that planned? Or was the move done because of the service you rec'd at the Poly? I am nervous of our stay after reading some of the boards and wondered if I was unhappy, would they allow me to transfer to another resort- even a moderate? I am sure that I would manage to spend the difference there, but wondered how they handled when someone is not happy at a particular resort and the package is paid for.

 

[dg39]

Just want to add my 2 cents: Tipping is not required. Its given if you choose to. I tip everyone that does a service for me, whether its the bell hop or the turn down service staff. The better they do, the more I tip. However, if they do a terrible job, no, I don't tip. But so far out of all my trips to disney, I've been very pleased with all the services provided. Housekeeping, turn down service, luggage assistance, concierge staff and anything else that the hotel provides is really included in your bill. Your tipping is optional and the amount is up to you. My problem with tipping is that when someone does something for me (the littlest thing) I feel like its a favor, so I tip. But Lisa, don't feel like you have to, because you don't, thats totally up to you.

 

[Lisa3]

Please, I didn't mean to start anything. DH and I will certainly show our appreciation for anything that is done to make our stay more enjoyable but I am glad to know that it is not expected. I certainly would not stay any place that mandates what I have to tip with no relevance to the quality of service. Yes, DH now makes more than the housekeeping staff but that was not always the case. There were many years we both worked to get to this point in our lives. I appreciate the staff when I go somewhere and treat them with the same respect as I would want but I also expect a level of service in accordance to what I am paying.

Tipping should not be done to subsidize someone's salary. It should be done out of gratitude (that's why it's called a gratuity).

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

As far as housekeeping we normally tip $5-7 per day, and another $3-5 for turndown.

Now about concierge, it was always my understanding that this is not a tipped position. And I also understood that the staff wouldn't take tips, however, one of our stays at the Poly, one of the CMs really went above and beyond and we tipped her 100.00 which she really didn't want to take. That is the only time we tipped the concierge. I too feel like its included in the higher room rate. And we are not a "needy" family. I make most of our own PS's etc. So I guess only you can make the call wheather to tip or not. I also read alot of people bring candy, cookies, etc. Just a thought.