Tipping for Valet Parking at the On-Site Hotels

[hootey]

What about the Bell Svcs. I think etiquette is $1/bag. Do you do it only on delivery, or on them unloading and taking it as well? I think we end up with a LOT in tips on our trips. $5 valet and $20 Bell when we drop the vehicle off. $20 at the room when they drop off. $20 for pick up from room and another $25 between Bell and Valet when we leave. That's $90 in tips just for moving some luggage and driving the vehicle.

They tip like I do. I seem to receive a little better service

 

[BriannaRuth]

Obviously tipping more than usual is always appreciated. But to the person who asked ... industry standard for bell services is $2 for the first bag and $1 per bag thereafter. At a more upscale hotel, $5 would be minimum even if you don't have that many bags. At a really upscale hotel (like 5 Diamond hotels, nothing at Disney is on this level, even the GCH), minimum is higher.

You would tip bell on unloading and on pickup typically, but exactly how depends on the process. If you arrive by car, typically the valet will take the car while a bellman unloads luggage and takes it to your room. In that case, you don't tip the valet and tip the bellman on arrival at the room. Sometimes if bell services is busy, either a valet or a bellman will unload the luggage and a different bellman will bring it to your room a few minutes later. In that case, industry standard is to tip the person who unloaded your car, but not necessarily at the rate above since all they're doing is unloading the car. Then you tip again when you get the bags at the rate above.

Personally I've never tipped $20 for bell services in my life, but I only travel with 2 kids and a husband and we never have more than 2 bags each.

Again, these are "industry standard" tips, not something set in stone. If you tip significantly more (or less) than that, you will stand out. Since I've been working for a travel guide, and before that when I used to do hotel "mystery shopping," we were not allowed to deviate much from these numbers for that very reason -- no one wants to stand out when you're supposed to be anonymous!

Of course, if you want to stand out so you get great service, tipping generously will obviously help!

 

[az4boys]

Generally, when we pull up, I hear "Ms. P, great to have you back, how are the dogs?? <to other valets> I have them!" I get checked in while kids handle valet and bellman. When we get to room, many of the bellmen know the "routine", otherwise it is usually "All the dog stuff goes in that room"... Then they usually ask "Can I get you ice?"

On departure, when the bellman is loading the car, one of the older kids will let them know which bags go in last (we have 4 drop off spots, so the better organized it is, the easier it is.) Then the bellman grabs our tags and my ECV, runs it back, brings back out merchandise and we are set. Not really a lot of explanations, I don't think.

Many if not most bellman and valets do know us on sight.

Tomorrow, I will be heading to the DLH in the AM to check in. I know how busy they will be, so plan on coming armed with a few dozen donuts from M&M donuts around the corner. Its fun to watch their faces as they go "Really??"

That's awesome. Thanks for letting me live vicariously. Have a great trip.