Tipping at the Tamarijn

[Arubalisa]

I did a search here regarding tipping at the Tamarijn and came upon this old post.

Originally Posted by Ralf

However, there are always some areas open for improvements. Very unusual that in an all inclusive, tipping is widely seen, have lots of dollar bills handy.

Question is, does anyone have any suggestions for tipping throughout the resort? Especially I need info on:

1. Tipping at the restaurants such as Paparrazi and Red Parrot etc. for a party of 10 people. Is there just a waiter or do they have assistants also?
2. Tip this person/people at the end of each of these meals?
3. Do you tip at the buffet? Who?
4. I read in another forum about an sommelier. How much would you tip?
5. Reservations at the Red Parrot etc. are made at the concierge? If so how much do you tip?
6. Bartenders- as you go or at the end of your trip?

[Snidely]

Lisa, as you will observe, there are many guests the take the position 'tips are included in the AI charges.

My general guidelines:

Restaurants. Not positive (never really paid attention) on the waiter works your table. Thus we just leave the tip on the table following the meal. For excellent service, I ballpark the approximate meal price if eating off resort and tip @ 17% and scale back if less than excellent service. We have on occassion received very poor service and left $1 to make a statement.

Buffet. In the buffet you will have a waiter that will bring your beverages and clear the used dishes. I generally tip a couple dollars each meal. They do appreciate the tip remember you beverage choices for subsequent meals. During breakfast if I have a made to order (omelet, or special order eggs), I'll also tip the chef directly.

Bartenders. Most know me well from over the years however I generally tip $5 per shift. All tips are pooled and divided by the bartenders at the end of a shift. Do this and you will rarely wait for a coctail. If you want to tip a specific bartender, suggest you do so after the shift when they have exited the bar.

House keeping. We normally spreak our tipping out leaving $10 after day 1 with additional tips depending on duration. Along with the first tip we leave a note stating our prefered time of day to have the room cleaned. (rooms are cleaned between 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM) Leaving that initial tip gets your room cleaned on schedule and you may also receive fresh cut flowers.

Concierge. Most guest do not tip the concierge so if you do, it will be appreciated.

I believe you will find the vast majority of the staff to be excellent in attitude and service. If you have a problem, they'll make it right if it is possible.

Enjoy your time

[Arubalisa]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post. I appreciate it.

[DaveNJodie]

Hi Lisa,

Just returned from the Tam. We tipped everyone well on the first day and let everyone know that we would tip them again at the end of the stay rather than carry money around all trip. This worked well and the tips were appreciated by the staff. It seems that only about half of the guests at the Tam tip at all. As previously noted, make sure to tip each shift of bartenders as they split tips by the shift. Have a great time!

Dave

[Cple]

Hi,,,, We stay at the Tam often. It is very true, the bartenders and wait staff, will never forget you. We always give a gratuity,when we first arrive, especially the bartenders. You will never wait for a drink. If they know what you drink, and they see you walking their direction,, the drink will be on the bar waiting for you. ,,,,,, Have a great trip.

[Megan8607]

So, how do you tip "per" shift? At the beginning of your day you walk to the bar, order your drink, and give him a 5 and ask how much longer he'll be around? (I've never been to an AI resort, so, I'm not sure, I just want to make sure I'm being polite and whatnot)

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by Cple

Hi,,,, We stay at the Tam often. It is very true, the bartenders and wait staff, will never forget you. We always give a gratuity,when we first arrive, especially the bartenders. You will never wait for a drink. If they know what you drink, and they see you walking their direction,, the drink will be on the bar waiting for you. ,,,,,, Have a great trip.

This is exactly what we ended up doing. Worked greated and did get us better service, most days. Eventually we learned who the tips were useless with.

Then we found out our 11 yo. was having a REALLY tough time getting her fix of ice cream (it is NOT self serve and is behind the bar so requires the cook or one of the bartenders to get it) and virgin Miami Vices. Dh and I dragged her down to the bar first thing when they opened at 11 a.m. one morning and introduced her as our daughter along with the tip. She NEVER had difficulty getting served after that. As a matter of fact, staying in room 1313, the bartenders gave her the nickname "Lucky".