Tipping at timeshares - what do you do?

[catwgirl Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close catwgirl]

At one of my home resorts, I frequently see an elderly housekeeper with a big grocery bag of eggs, milk, butter, etc. I know she saves a lot of $$ by using guests' left behind food.

When I was at Depoe Bay a few weeks ago, they had a box in the lobby where you could leave your non-perishable foods. I think they donated it to a local charity or food closet. Since we were flying home, it was great to have a place to leave stuff.

That goes a long way and I agree that tipping is not in lieu of being a considerate guest. I load the dishwasher but don't start it. If we're rushing I may leave a few things in the sink. I don't clean out the fridge too well because I hate throwing away food and like to think that maybe someone will be able to use it, though in reality I'm sure most of it gets ditched. I do take out the garbage (if we are in a place that has dumpsters outside).

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

I usually leave a $20 at the end of my week. If there is a trash-and-tidy, I leave $10 for that.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

At one of my home resorts, I frequently see an elderly housekeeper with a big grocery bag of eggs, milk, butter, etc. I know she saves a lot of $$ by using guests' left behind food.

When I was at Depoe Bay a few weeks ago, they had a box in the lobby where you could leave your non-perishable foods. I think they donated it to a local charity or food closet. Since we were flying home, it was great to have a place to leave stuff.

That's great, on both counts.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

We have never had daily housekeeping but a couple GPR resorts do towels swaps twice and a mid week clean and towel swap. We leave from $10 to $20 on our way out the door hoping that the person who cleaned the unit before we got there and the one who did the mid-week is the same as the one who cleans up after us.

[Presley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Presley]

1. Timeshare stay with daily housekeeping
2. Timeshare stay with no housekeeping
3. Timeshare stay with midweek tidy
4. Calling for maintenance/housekeeping to come to the unit to deliver or fix things

1.) Never had it, so idk.
2.) $10 - $20 when I leave
3.) same as above
4.) Nothing if it is something that should have been set up for me before I got there. For anything different $5.

Valet parking $2.-$3. for each time the retrieve my car.
Bellhop $1. - $2. per bag, but not less than $10.
ETA: I throw out all opened food and leave the unopened in hopes that someone there will use it.

[itchyfeet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close itchyfeet]

$5.00/day Mexico. $20.00/week US. The US housekeepers are probably paid minimum wage. Even though we leave our unit in good condition and don't usually travel with children, the unit will have to be thoroughly cleaned before the next occupant arrives. My philosophy is that if we can't afford to tip, we should not be traveling.

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

My philosophy is that if we can't afford to tip, we should not be traveling.

Interesting philosophy. Travel and tipping are not intertwined for me, while service and tipping are.

[itchyfeet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close itchyfeet]

My point is that tipping is part of the expense of traveling. If I have to scrimp so much that I can't afford a tip, then I should not be traveling. But you are correct--tipping and service are intertwined. If the unit is clean when we check-in, then the service has been provided.

[jackio Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close jackio]

Maybe I am cheap. I tip $5/day for daily housekeeping, and $10 for midweek and/or check-out housekeeping. I leave the unit clean and start the dishwasher when I leave.
I leave non-perishables that have not been opened on the counter, hoping the staff can use them. I throw out anything that has been opened.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

At one of my home resorts, I frequently see an elderly housekeeper with a big grocery bag of eggs, milk, butter, etc. I know she saves a lot of $$ by using guests' left behind food.

When I was at Depoe Bay a few weeks ago, they had a box in the lobby where you could leave your non-perishable foods. I think they donated it to a local charity or food closet. Since we were flying home, it was great to have a place to leave stuff.

That's great, on both counts.

Many resorts have arrangements in place for food that is left behind. All you need do is ask at the front desk or with the concierge. At Point at Po'ipu, they have arranged with a Kauai food bank to receive surplus items, or guests can drop items off at the food bank themselves. I think most resorts on the island operate similarly. When we are in Mexico I just leave a note behind for housekeeping staff letting them know, as if there was any doubt, that they are welcome to whatever we leave behind.

Incidentally when we go to Mexico I often throw a couple of writing pads in case - the kind you get at Office Depot that have 50 sheets that you tear off from the top. I always try to introduce ourselves to our housekeeper and exchange a few pleasantries. Among other things I inquire about family, especially children. Then if the housekeeper has children who are in school I will leave the pads behind with the tip one day, with a note indicating the pads are for the children; since families need to purchase those items themselves that can be an appreciated little extra. A couple of times when we've been in Puerto Vallarta I've loaded a WalMart gift card with about 100 pesos, and then left that behind with a note requesting that it be used on school supplies.

Those items, of course, are on top of any normal tipping. I just get satisfaction our of doing something extra to support children's education and I think it's gracious to convey that I am thinking of her not just as someone who cleans my room, but as someone with a family.

[catwgirl Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close catwgirl]

Very thoughtful. I like that.

A couple of times when we've been in Puerto Vallarta I've loaded a WalMart gift card with about 100 pesos, and then left that behind with a note requesting that it be used on school supplies.