Posh hotel/meal tipping etiquette help

[poshmealetiquette]

I have named changed for this as have told half the world that we are going to this thing and don't want it associated with my other posts. also posted this elsewhere but got no responses.

Over lockdown my Dad single handedly tried to keep the entertainment and hospitality industry going and bought £££ worth of deals and vouchers.

Sadly he died and my Mum shared out some of these vouchers. We have one that we're using next week in a posh hotel in Mayfair. The voucher covers room, evening meal, free bottle of fizz, 7 course Michelin starred taster menu with additional complementary cheese course, and breakfast the following morning - so, other than maybe a drink at the bar we wont be spending money other than what is covered by the voucher.

My husband is in a wheelchair and doesn't drink. So I can imagine we will arrive - the hotel will be helpful as DH is disabled etc - but when or how do we tip?

I am used to adding a bit on a bill, leaving a tip on a table or in a hotel room in spain for the cleaners etc.

I don't know how much or how to tip people who may carry bags, show us the our room or how to tip when we won't be paying a bill.

How do we do it? How much to who and how? Help - I am getting disproportionately anxious about it.

Do I give a £1 or £5 as smallest note? do I just pay a bit when we check out? really dont know what to do

I wouldn't tip someone for carrying a bag to the room in the UK. Do you usually?

Just do what u usually do, leave a tip if you get good service with your evening meal. Enjoy your night away & don't be worrying, if you do the wrong thing, who cares, free night away, you'll never see the folk again either way. Have a great time. X

You can give someone who brings your bag a tip; a pound per bag is typical, and I sometimes round up to five (not per bag, but if you have a couple).

You should tip on dinner as you would if you were paying. And you can leave a small amount in the hotel for the maid.

No other tipping needed. You'd be surprised how little people tip, even at fancy hotels. Many don't tip at all. For a couple of fivers and a modest dinner tip, you would be very well placed.

If you want to splurge, you can. But that will be enough not to feel at all self-conscious.

I am getting disproportionately anxious about it.

WHY?

What do you normally do at any other UK hotel or restaurant? Just because its Mayfair, why feel the need to tip? If you feel the service for the meal was good, I might leave a small amount on the table.

If someone on the tube/bus helped your husband with the wheelchair or bags- do you tip them also?

I worked in a fairly expensive hotel for quite a few years, I just saw it as a bonus if anyone tipped. Certainly didn't expect it.

Try not to overthink it and enjoy the experience.

@Mynameisnew

I wouldn't tip someone for carrying a bag to the room in the UK. Do you usually?

but how? we arent paying a bill at the end of the meal as it i all covered. I'd normally top up the bill by 10-15% we have no bill so how much do we leave?

sorry i quoted the wronging by mistake

@FannyFifer

Just do what u usually do, leave a tip if you get good service with your evening meal. Enjoy your night away & don't be worrying, if you do the wrong thing, who cares, free night away, you'll never see the folk again either way. Have a great time. X

but how? we arent paying a bill at the end of the meal as it i all covered. I'd normally top up the bill by 10-15% we have no bill so how much do we leave?

@MarmiteCoriander

I am getting disproportionately anxious about it.

WHY?

What do you normally do at any other UK hotel or restaurant? Just because its Mayfair, why feel the need to tip? If you feel the service for the meal was good, I might leave a small amount on the table.

If someone on the tube/bus helped your husband with the wheelchair or bags- do you tip them also?

I dont go to UK hotels so `i don't know the etiquette. the only hotels I go to are package holidays abroad

No I wouldn't hand money over to someone in the UK
However, a tip could be letting management know how helpful they have been or maybe a thank you note that they could take to their next review meeting?

I think most companies have an unable to accept gift policy although could be different for hospitality?

@Nancydrawn

You can give someone who brings your bag a tip; a pound per bag is typical, and I sometimes round up to five (not per bag, but if you have a couple).

You should tip on dinner as you would if you were paying. And you can leave a small amount in the hotel for the maid.

No other tipping needed. You'd be surprised how little people tip, even at fancy hotels. Many don't tip at all. For a couple of fivers and a modest dinner tip, you would be very well placed.

If you want to splurge, you can. But that will be enough not to feel at all self-conscious.

pound per bag I can relate to - and that isnt tight?

@headspin10

I worked in a fairly expensive hotel for quite a few years, I just saw it as a bonus if anyone tipped. Certainly didn't expect it.

Try not to overthink it and enjoy the experience.

thank you

Oh I meant to add, at dinner I'd leave money on the table as you leave. Even though you don't have a bill

Does your voucher include coffee at the end of your meal? You could always leave it on the saucer and let someone know as you leave the table?

What would you have roughly paid for the meal if it had been cash?

I'd base the tip on that.

So if it was £100 each for the 7 course menu I'd leave a £20 tip

As for the porter, when you get to your room I normally give a couple of pounds, up to £5 depending how many bags. Just say thank you and hand it directly to them.

OP- there is no set etiquette for tipping in the UK! It isn't the US where its expected because everyone earns a shitty wage! If the service has been above what you expect, then maybe a small gesture would be appreciated. Or a good review or a thank you card to management.

Dont feel you MUST tip because someone on here says you should tip £x per bag, and £x at the restaurant etc!!! Enjoy your night away.

I never tip in the UK for bag carrying or for the cleaners. I might leave a bit of cash at the meal but otherwise don't bother.

I’d do a fiver for bag carrying and £20 left on the table after the meal. You could internet search approx meal costs if you’re not happy taking a guess.

I'm someone who tips generously if I feel they deserve it. Restaurants/beautician/hair dressers etc

Id do the same with the hotel. If they are very helpful with bags/checking in, id give a tenner as they leave your room.
Then I'd leave a tip at the table after your meal, £20-30.

Those in hospitality just aren't paid enough.

thank you - I struggle with knowing when to tip or not. In my world you tip good waiting staff and maybe round up a cab fare. I've seen too much TV and thought that everyone would be expecting a tip.

the meal would be over £100 each before drinks (if we buy any) so (assuming service is good) leaving £30 on the table would be appropriate?

@Nancydrawn

You can give someone who brings your bag a tip; a pound per bag is typical, and I sometimes round up to five (not per bag, but if you have a couple).

You should tip on dinner as you would if you were paying. And you can leave a small amount in the hotel for the maid.

No other tipping needed. You'd be surprised how little people tip, even at fancy hotels. Many don't tip at all. For a couple of fivers and a modest dinner tip, you would be very well placed.

If you want to splurge, you can. But that will be enough not to feel at all self-conscious.

This. I’d leave a tenner for the maid if you can

10% on dinner / nothing on breakfast

Bags as pp says

@Ionlydomassiveones

Just don’t tip. The more it becomes the norm, the more uncertain and weird it becomes for everyone. Just be friendly and a nice guest. People in hospitality would prefer that.

@Ionlydomassiveones

Jesus Christ - what bullshit - people in hospitality want you to tip. Their crappy wages are based on the assumption you do. You don’t have to like the system, but don’t kid yourself.

@Nancydrawn

You can give someone who brings your bag a tip; a pound per bag is typical, and I sometimes round up to five (not per bag, but if you have a couple).

You should tip on dinner as you would if you were paying. And you can leave a small amount in the hotel for the maid.

No other tipping needed. You'd be surprised how little people tip, even at fancy hotels. Many don't tip at all. For a couple of fivers and a modest dinner tip, you would be very well placed.

If you want to splurge, you can. But that will be enough not to feel at all self-conscious.

sounds about perfect - I feel like I know what I am doing now

@Luredbyapomegranate but those crappy wages are shared by millions of people who don’t work in service industries so there’s obviously no assumption their wages should be topped up by tips.

OP tip what you want to, when you want to, if you feel the service is good. Don’t be pressured into it by what you’ve seen on TV or because you feel like you have to make up the wages of the people who have served you.

The more the expectation is placed on the consumer to top up shitty wages the worse off hospitality staff will be.