Tipping in a luxury hotel: what is customary?

Schritt für Schritt

1. Clarify before the trip whether a service charge is included.
2. Ask about the practice at the property, such as a shared pool or personal recognition.
3. Keep small notes in the local currency ready.
4. Hand over the tip discreetly, ideally in an envelope.
5. On a longer stay, give recognition at the end or in stages.
6. Check on the bill what has already been charged.

Checkliste

• Is a service charge included in the price?
• Is there a shared pool for the staff?
• What is the practice in the country you are visiting?
• Do you have suitable currency ready?
• Who looked after you especially, such as a butler or driver?
• Do you have envelopes for handing over discreetly?
• Have you checked the bill?

Telling a service charge from a tip

Some properties charge a service charge that appears on the bill. It is part of the price and may be distributed among the staff. Whether an additional tip is expected depends on the property.

A tip in the narrower sense is voluntary. It thanks someone for a personal service and is neither an obligation nor a yardstick. If in doubt, simply ask us beforehand how the chosen property handles it.

In Switzerland the service charge is included in the price, and rounding up is regarded as a friendly gesture. This practice cannot be transferred to other countries. So always find out beforehand how it is handled at the destination.

Differences by country and property

In Switzerland service is usually included in the price, and a tip is a small gesture. In other countries it forms a larger part of the staff's income and is expected more as a matter of course. In some countries, by contrast, it is not customary.

There are differences within a country too. Resorts on islands often run a shared pool, and in city hotels cash directly at the place of work is customary. Before the trip we tell you what applies for your destination. The information is based on experience and can change.

In large cities such as New York a tip is more firmly part of everyday life, whereas in countries such as Japan it is often not customary or even unwelcome. We point out these differences in your documents so that you do not end up in awkward situations.

Whom to tip and when

Personal attention shows with porters, housekeeping staff, drivers and the concierge. For housekeeping, many guests give a small amount daily or at the end of the stay. For drivers or guides, recognition after the excursion is usual.

For a butler or a dedicated host, the end of the stay is appropriate. For a team, a shared recognition for everyone is often advisable. How a [butler service](/m/luxury/ratgeber/was-ist-ein-butler-im-luxushotel) works at the property is explained in a guide of its own.

If you are unsure, ask politely at the property. Good properties answer without hesitation and take the uncertainty off you. A polite word and a thank you are usually welcome.

Giving discreetly and appropriately

An envelope with a short thank you is discreet and practical. Hand it over in person or leave it in the room with a note if the property provides for that. This spares everyone embarrassment.

Keep cash in small notes ready and mind the local currency. Paying a tip by card is not possible everywhere. We remind you of the subject in the travel documents so that you do not have to work it out on site.

Keep suitable cash in small denominations ready so that you do not have to change money in front of the staff. Give the tip in person or in a plain envelope instead of laying it visibly on the table. On stays of several days it is worth giving room service something on the first day and not only at departure, because the person then knows your wishes. If in doubt, ask at reception what is customary at the property.

When the service is not right

A tip is not an obligation. If the service does not meet your expectations, first raise it calmly on site. A good property solves problems quickly and values clear feedback.

If a shortcoming remains, tell us during the trip. We mediate with the property. Honest feedback at the end helps everyone more than silently leaving a tip out. More on planning your stay is at [Planning a luxury trip](/m/luxury/planen).

Tipping for transfers and restaurants

The question arises outside the hotel too. Drivers, guides and restaurant staff expect different recognition depending on the country. In some countries a surcharge is included on the bill, in others not.

Check the restaurant bill before adding anything. If a service charge is already shown there, a small additional amount is a voluntary gesture. With card payment the amount is often preselected, so watch for that.

For transfers that we organise, we state in the documents what is customary. That way you do not have to think on site about what would be appropriate, and can enjoy the trip.