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Should You Tip at an All Inclusive Resort?
When booking an all-inclusive resort vacation, one of the biggest perks is the promise that everything-from meals and drinks to activities and entertainment-is included in the upfront price. This often extends to tipping, with many resorts advertising that gratuities are covered. I've stayed at dozens of all-inclusive resorts and I've noticed that the tipping culture is changing. This might leave travelers wondering: should you tip at an all-inclusive resort, even when it's supposedly included?
Let's dive into the pros and cons of tipping to see if you can decide what feels right for you!
Should You Tip at an All Inclusive Resort?
The Pros of Tipping at an All-Inclusive Resort
1. Better Service
While staff members are trained to provide excellent service regardless of tips, it's no secret that a little extra cash *might* encourage more personalized attention. Guests will often share that their best kept secret is to tip early and generously to ensure quality treatment during their stay. They often talk about getting drinks that arrive faster, towels that are refreshed more frequently, and they may even report that they get better seating or more attentive service. {I might not feel like this is entirely true.}
2. Rewarding Hard Work
Resort employees work long hard hours to make sure the guests have an unforgettable experience. Even when gratuities are included, those funds are often distributed among the entire staff, which can significantly dilute the amount each person actually receives. A direct tip acknowledges an individual's hard work and dedication.
3. Building Connections
Tipping can foster a friendly rapport with the staff. A small cash gesture can often lead to genuine conversations and improved experiences. Many travelers enjoy getting to know the people who make their stay special, and a tip can signal that appreciation beyond words.
4. Encourages Exceptional Service
In many cultures, tipping is an incentive to go above and beyond. A waiter might remember your favorite drink, or a beach attendant might reserve the best cabana for you. Though excellent service is expected, a little extra appreciation can help motivate the staff to deliver standout service and experiences.
5. Supports the Local Economy
At resorts in less affluent areas, tips can make a difference to workers who rely on tourism income. Even a few dollars a day can contribute to supporting their families and improving their quality of life.
The Cons of Tipping at an All-Inclusive Resort
1. It's Already Included!
If the resort explicitly states that tips are included, you might feel like you are paying twice. I know I do! The convenience of an all-inclusive experience is knowing everything is covered, so additional tipping can feel unnecessary or even unfair to travelers who budgeted based on that promise.
2. Cultural Differences
Not all countries share the same tipping customs. In some places, tipping may seem rude or unnecessary. Travelers unfamiliar with local norms might unintentionally create awkward situations by offering money.
At Beaches Resorts in Turks and Caicos, tipping is discouraged and staff accepting tips could be fired!
3. Awkwardness and Uncertainty
The unspoken nature of tipping at an all-inclusive resort can lead to an awkward situation. Guests may feel unsure about when, how much, or even whom to tip. The last thing you want on vacation is the added stress of navigating a tipping culture you didn't expect!
4. Staff Expectations
Over time, tipping-even when technically unnecessary- can create a culture where staff then begins to expect tips for every service. This can lead to resentment from both employees and guests, especially if that's not something that you budgeted for.
Finding a Balance
So, what is the right approach? If you want to tip without creating an awkward dynamic or blowing your budget, take these things into consideration:
Research Before You Go: Check the resort's website and read reviews to understand the tipping culture. Some resorts, like those in Mexico or the Dominican Republic, may welcome tips even when gratuities are included, while others, especially in Europe, often discourage it.
Bring Small Bills: If you decide to tip, carry local currency in small denominations. This makes it easy to tip discreetly without having to ask for change.
Tips for Exceptional Service: Rather than tipping everyone for basic service, reward those who go out of their way to improve your stay. For example, tip the bartender who remembers your drink order or the housekeeper who leaves thoughtful touches in your room.
Be Mindful of Local Wages: In some destinations, resort workers earn low wages and rely on tips. In others, they might be fairly compensated without them. Understanding the local economy can help guide you in your decision to tip or not to tip.
Respect the Resort's Policy: If the resort explicitly asks guests not to tip, honor that request!
Consider This Instead
As frequent guests at all-inclusive resorts for the last few decades, I've noticed an increase in tipping culture. On our last visit to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico, I noticed it in a new way. People were pulling out wet dollar bills at the swim up bar or slapping money into hands not as a sign of appreciation but from what I observed, was more like the sign of an upper hand. I saw people using their tips as a way to "get things done" not as a sign of their appreciation. What that showed me wasn't an outward expression of thanks, but more of a gross "you're working for me" mentality. So consider your motivations behind tipping.
Get to Know the Staff: Taking the time to actually get to know the staff's name {and saying it properly!} and acknowledging them can go a long way! We had a beach concierge attendant and I won't forget how he stopped in his tracks when I went up to him at his cabana and simply asked how he was doing. He told me that people don't often ask him and he was surprised that I came to him to ask him how he was doing, and didn't need anything from him.
Be Kind: It is so important to me that when I travel I don't continue to perpetuate the American tourist stereotype. Again, simply asking how this concierge was took me less than a minute, but it made such a difference in how he felt like he was being treated. People on vacation can feel a bit, shall we say, entitled. Be kind. It's not that hard.
Pro tip: In my observations, {and as a self reported bad tipper} being kind had the same outcome of good service that I observed from other people who were slipping ones to every person who walked their way.
Don't Miss this!
Leave a Review: If you see an employee go above and beyond, what will often truly make a difference, is calling them out to their supervisor. On this last trip, I asked several staff members what would be most helpful to them, and sure, a few dollars here and there likely would, but I was told that leaving a review, with their name, is what set them up for bonuses, paid trips, and increases in pay. This will far outweigh a few dollars slipped in a discreet handshake or sloppily thrown on a bar in terms of their earning potential in the future.
Pro tip: there are sometimes comment cards for exemplary service. I know on our last cruise they had Hero Cards. Ask the staff. They are often more than happy to walk you through the process!
Tipping at an all-inclusive resort where gratuities are supposedly included is a personal decision. It's a balancing act between respecting the resort's policies, acknowledging the hard work of staff, and ensuring that you feel comfortable during your stay.
If you choose to tip, do so thoughtfully and respectfully-knowing that a little generosity can go a long way in making your vacation {and maybe even someone's long workday} even better. On the other hand, if you decide to stick to the "tips included" policy, you can still show appreciation with a smile, kind words, and gratitude.
What is your take on tipping at all-inclusive resorts? Do you think it increases your experience or does it take away the very idea of a worry-free vacation? I'd love to hear from you!
disclaimer: this post may have affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing through them, I may receive a small commission. These small purchases help me to continue to keep writing content and creating at Rachel Teodoro. Thank you!
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