All-inclusive resorts offer vacationers a convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy a stress-free getaway. With accommodations, meals, drinks, activities, and entertainment included in the upfront price, all-inclusives take the guesswork out of budgeting for a vacation. However, one area that often causes confusion is tipping – should you tip at an all-inclusive and if so, who and how much?
Should you tip at an all-inclusive resort?
The quick answer is yes, you should plan on tipping staff members during your stay at an all-inclusive resort. Tipping is not only a nice gesture to show your appreciation for good service, but it’s an important way to supplement the often low wages of resort staff. While some all-inclusives have a no tipping policy, tipping is generally still expected and very much appreciated.
Who should you tip at an all-inclusive?
During your stay at an all-inclusive resort, you’ll likely interact with various staff members providing services like housekeeping, food and beverage service, entertainment, transportation, childcare, spa services and more. Here are some of the key people to tip during your vacation:
- Housekeeping: Housekeepers work very hard to keep your room clean and stocked daily. $2-5 per night is an appropriate tip.
- Servers: Dining and bar servers rely heavily on tips as their main source of income. Tip 15-20% of the cost of drinks or meals.
- Bartenders: Tip $1-2 per drink at the bar. For great service, you can tip 20% of your total bar tab.
- Resort entertainment: Staff like stage performers, deejays, and activity guides appreciate $1-2 tips per service.
- Spa staff: Tip massage therapists, aestheticians, etc 15-20% of the service cost.
- Bag porters: Tip $1-2 per bag for help carrying your luggage to/from your room.
- Taxi/shuttle drivers: Tip $1-2 for airport/day trip transportation help.
How much should you tip at an all-inclusive?
Determining appropriate tip amounts depends on the service, but in general tipping anywhere from 15-20% is considered standard at all-inclusive resorts. Some specific tipping suggestions:
| Service | Suggested Tip |
|---|---|
| Housekeeper | $2-5 per night |
| Waiter | 15-20% of meal/beverage cost |
| Bartender | $1-2 per drink |
| Spa services | 15-20% of service cost |
| Bag porter | $1-2 per bag |
| Taxi/shuttle | $1-2 per ride |
Some all-inclusive resorts suggest tip amounts or include tipping guidelines in your hotel room. If guidance isn’t provided, the general standard is $5-10 per day for housekeeping, 15-20% for dining/spa services, and $1-2 per service for other staff.
When should you tip at an all-inclusive?
It’s best to tip service staff like housekeeping and servers throughout your stay, rather than just at the end.
- Housekeeping: Leave $2-5 tip daily before you head out for activities.
- Dining: Tip every meal. You’ll likely have the same servers throughout your stay.
- Bars: Tip bartenders $1-2 per drink.
- Spa services: Tip after each treatment.
- Activities/entertainment: Tip per activity or performance.
- Transportation: Tip at the end of the ride.
You may also consider an additional tip on top of daily tipping at the end of your stay if you feel service really exceeded your expectations.
Should you tip extra on top of the service fee at an all-inclusive?
Some all-inclusive resorts add a mandatory service fee or gratuity to your final bill, generally ranging from 10-15%. This covers tips for staff like housekeeping, servers, and bartenders. You don’t need to tip extra on top of a service fee, but you can leave an additional tip for exceptional service if you choose.
Should you tip in cash or charge tips to your room?
It’s best to tip in cash when possible, especially for lower wage staff like housekeepers and waiters who rely on tips as a key source of income. However, you can charge tips to your room if needed, for example at resort spas or for organized activities and transportation. Cash ensures your tips go directly to the staff providing the service.
Do you need to tip at branded chain restaurants or bars at all-inclusive resorts?
Many all-inclusive resorts have branded chain restaurants and bars on site like a Secrets Starbucks or Now Onyx Sports Bar. The tipping policy may be different in these outlets than the main resort restaurants and bars. Check for posted tipping guidelines, or ask your server. If tipping is still expected, follow the standard 15-20% tip based on your bill amount.
Should you tip the concierge or front desk staff?
You generally don’t need to tip the concierge and front desk staff, as they tend to be salaried resort employees. However, if they provide exceptional service like making special arrangements for a celebration or anniversary, providing insider tips, or securing hard-to-get reservations, you may tip $10-20.
Do you need to tip for room service at an all-inclusive?
Yes, it’s standard to tip for room service even at an all-inclusive resort. Tip 15-20% of the total room service bill. You can add the tip when you sign the check, or leave a cash tip for room service delivery.
Should you tip the resort entertainment and activity staff?
The resort’s entertainment team and activity guides generally appreciate tips for providing great service. While not strictly required, it’s nice to tip $1-2 per activity session, performance, or for special services like a photography session. TripAdvisor recommends $25-35 total per stay for entertainment staff.
Do you need to tip for airport or day trip transfers?
If resort staff assist you with luggage or provide transportation for airport transfers or resort-organized day trips, tip $1-2 per bag or per ride. Add tips onto your final bill for organized excursions. For private transfer companies, check for tipping policies but $1-2 per person is fairly standard.
Should you tip the childcare staff at family all-inclusive resorts?
The childcare staff at family-friendly all-inclusive resorts also appreciate tips for providing great service. A TripAdvisor tipping guide suggests $20 total per family for the week, or $10 total if you use the kids’ camp for just a couple days. You can tip kid’s camp counselors individually or leave a tip envelope to be divided.
Do you need to tip for pool or beach services?
Pool and beach attendants who provide conveniences like setting up chairs, towels, and umbrellas appreciate tips too. TripAdvisor recommends $1-2 per service, like help securing pool lounge chairs or ordering food/drinks. Cabana fees usually include gratuity, but an extra $5-10 is nice for exceptional treatment.
Should you tip the grounds staff and maintenance workers?
You don’t need to tip resort groundskeepers, gardeners, maintenance workers, and janitors directly as they tend to be salaried employees. However, these staff may share in pooled tipping distributed to employees providing indirect services to guests.
All-Inclusive Resort Tipping Etiquette
Follow these general tipping etiquette guidelines during your stay at an all-inclusive:
- Carry small bills ($1, $5, $10) to tip in cash when possible.
- Tip a set amount per service, not a percentage, for lower wage staff.
- Tip each day rather than once at the end of your stay.
- Don’t tip extra on top of a mandatory service fee unless service was exceptional.
- Ask the concierge for tipping recommendations if unsure.
- Tip modest amounts for mediocre service.
- Increase tips for staff who provide exceptional, personalized service.
- Resort loyalty rewards programs let you tip favorite staff at checkout.
While all-inclusives include most amenities in the upfront price, allocating a budget for tips, approximately $5-10 per day, helps ensure good service. With fair tipping, staff can provide the best experience possible during your well-deserved vacation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you tip on day 1 at an all-inclusive?
Yes, you should start tipping on the first day of your all-inclusive vacation. Leave a tip for housekeeping after your room is cleaned and tip servers, bartenders, and any other staff after your first interactions. Tipping throughout your stay ensures good service.
How much should you budget for tips at an all-inclusive?
Allocate approximately $5-10 USD per person, per day for tips at an all-inclusive resort. This covers tips for housekeeping, waiters, transportation, porters, and entertainment. Some resorts suggest $8-10 per guest per day. Couples should budget $10-20 per day total for two people.
Can you tip with an all-inclusive resort credit?
Many all-inclusives offer resort credits to use towards services. You can use resort credits to tip, but cash tips ensure the money goes directly to the tipped staff member.
Do all-inclusive resorts pay fair wages?
Wages at all-inclusive resorts vary greatly. Many lower level staff like housekeepers and servers earn hourly wages or salaries that are below average, making tips an essential part of their income. Management and entertainment staff generally earn better pay.
Do you tip extra on your final bill?
Examine your final bill carefully before adding an extra tip, as some resorts include a service charge. You don’t need to tip extra on top of a service fee unless staff provided exceptional service exceeding expectations.
The Bottom Line
While tipping is not strictly mandatory, it is very much expected and appreciated at all-inclusive resorts. Budget approximately $5-10 per guest daily for tips. Typical all-inclusive tipping etiquette suggests:
- Housekeepers: $2-5 per night
- Servers: 15-20% of meal and beverage bills
- Bartenders: $1-2 per drink
- Spa staff: 15-20% of service cost
- Bag porters: $1-2 per bag
- Entertainment staff: $1-2 per service
- Drivers: $1-2 per ride
Tipping appropriately throughout your all-inclusive stay helps ensure you receive excellent service to maximize your vacation experience.
