How to Tip Like a Pro on Your Honeymoon

Congratulations on your honeymoon! You and your spouse are going through an exciting time, yet tipping may be unclear. Knowing how to tip properly may make all the difference in ensuring a flawless and pleasurable experience, whether you're enjoying a romantic dinner with someone special or relaxing by the pool. We'll provide you with some insider advice in this blog post to help you understand tipping customs while on your honeymoon, ensuring that you make a good impression and express gratitude for great service. Let's start now!

Do You Have To Tip?

Before delving into the details, let me address one of the most commonly asked questions: Are gratuities included in the rate at all-inclusive resorts, or do I have to tip separately? The answer is that the resort's rate typically covers gratuities, with the resort distributing a portion of your per-night fee among its staff members. 

Although many team members work long hours and tough schedules, frequently working back-to-back days without a break, the amount distributed might not accurately represent this. Considering the resort you've chosen and the level of service you've paid for, such as concierge or butler service, I recommend tipping as you see fit. 

As a travel specialist, I help my clients determine proper gratuity expectations before they go on their journeys. So, let's explore some specific tipping guidelines for your all-inclusive honeymoon vacation.

The Airport Porter

An airport porter is someone who will help you with your luggage when you arrive at your destination. Some airport porters may approach you aggressively and offer their assistance, which may seem inconvenient. 

You have the option to deny their assistance, but if you accept, it's polite to give them a gratuity. An acceptable tip runs from $3 to $5, depending on the amount of luggage you have. 

It's important to note that since most porters are independent and are not paid by the airport, they depend on gratuities to support their lifestyle. I firmly believe in supporting individuals who demonstrate a willingness to work and earn a livelihood for their families. 

Airport Shuttle Driver

It's essential to note that the driver who transports you to and from your all-inclusive resort is not an employee of the resort, so it's customary to tip them for each trip. 

One aspect that people often overlook is the amount of time involved. It's important to consider the distance the driver must travel to transport you to your destination and then return to the airport for their next assignment. 

For short trips, a $5 tip is adequate, while for longer drives (over 1.5 hours), a minimum of $10-$20 is appropriate. Keep in mind that if the drive takes 1.5 hours or more, the driver has invested three hours of their time for your trip.

The Bellhop

Hooray! Welcome to the resort. 

The bellhop is the first resort service member to serve you when you exit the conveyance vehicle. While you go to the lobby to check in, he or she will check your bags and give you luggage tags. 

Once you've checked in, your bellhop will accompany you to your room and will most likely share some information about the resort and where things are situated, as well as a few room features with you. 

A $5-$10 tip is suggested depending on the amount of time spent with you. 

Concierge or Butler Service

When you choose to stay at an all-inclusive resort for your honeymoon, you want to make sure that you are well taken care of. This often means that you will have access to higher levels of service, such as a concierge or even a butler. While these staff members are there to assist you with your needs, it's important to remember that they rely on tips for a significant portion of their income.

Firstly, if your concierge simply helps you with basic tasks such as making dinner reservations or fixing an issue with your room, there is no need to tip them. However, if they go above and beyond to make your stay special, such as setting up a surprise dinner with extra touches, be sure to show your appreciation with a tip that reflects their time invested.

A per-day tip is suitable if your suite has a butler who handles all of your needs, including managing other staff members, making bookings, providing meals in-suite, and reserving seats at the pool or beach. Butler service is often more hands-on. Depending on how much you use your butler, a minimum fee of $20 per day is recommended. Remember to take into account any moments where your butler went above and beyond to make your stay genuinely memorable!

Overall, if you choose a higher level of service at your all-inclusive resort, you should be ready to tip. For short one-time interactions with a concierge, budget at least $10, and at least $150 for a week of butler service. You can express your gratitude for the diligent employees that helped make your honeymoon a particularly special experience by giving them a suitable tip.

Waitstaff

Picture yourself relaxing on the beach, and a beach waiter approaches you for a drink order. You order your beverage of choice, receive it in a few minutes, and quickly realize you have $0 on you. 

If you find yourself without cash, don't worry, gratuities are included in the all-inclusive rate. 

However, having a few dollars on hand for tips is always appreciated. 

For drinks, $1 or $2 per drink is sufficient. At buffet-style restaurants, consider leaving $2-$3, and for a la carte dining, base your tip on the level of service and quality of the experience, ranging from $5 for casual dining up to $20 for an upscale dining experience.

Housekeeping

It's important not to overlook the hardworking housekeeping staff when considering gratuities at an all-inclusive resort. Despite their essential role in ensuring guests have a comfortable and clean stay, they are often paid the least among the resort team members.

It's easy to appreciate the value of housekeeping when you return to a tidy room after a long day of activities and relaxation. 

To show your gratitude, I recommend leaving a tip of $5-$10 per day for your housekeeper. This gesture not only acknowledges their hard work but also helps to supplement their income.

Quick Caveat

If you are planning an all-inclusive honeymoon to Sandals Resorts gratuities are not accepted except for butler service. So, a Sandals honeymoon will not have the same gratuity guidelines at the resort as I’ve mentioned above, but you can still tip the porter and shuttle driver as they are not Sandals employees. 

To ensure that you have enough money for tipping during your honeymoon at an all-inclusive resort, it's wise to include it in your overall budget. While the decision to tip is ultimately yours, I hope the information I've provided about tipping has been helpful in making your decision and budgeting. Have a safe and enjoyable honeymoon!

If you're feeling overwhelmed by constantly searching for answers to your honeymoon planning questions, I'm here to help.  Here is a link to schedule a complimentary consultation - no strings attached!