Hard to believe I've gone my entire adult life without knowing this for sure, but what is the protocol for tipping for room service when a "service charge" is added to the bill. I'm not talking about a $3 charge, I mean when the service charge is 15-20%% of the total bill. I've actually read mixed answers to this...one item I read stated that you still needed to tip 15-20% b/c the service charge went not to the server, but solely to the hotel as a fee for room service (how this can be possible, as room service food is always exhorbitantly priced anyway, I can't understand). Can anyone the definitive answer to this question.

I can't say as I've ever seen a 15-20% service charge added to a room service tab while travelling in Canada. I would be mightily annoyed, particularly if it were added after the tax. It's certainly something I would discuss with hotel management. Can you give us a clue as to when and what hotel chain has adopted this delightful practice?

I have stayed at several hotels in Canada where the 15% service charge is already added. This is their tip, I do not tip on top of that. I learned this after not checking my bill carefully before signing, and ended up double tipping. <BR>Now I notice some room service menus state that it is added, but not all so be sure to check or ask.

Hmm. I would also be interested in hearing what hotel added this charge. I wonder if it is even legal. I have travelled a great deal in Canada and never seen this practice. Could you elaborate Bee? I don't tip at all in hotels/motels.

The RimRock in Banff has their room service menu on line. At the bottom of the menu it says a 15% service charge will be added.

The last place it happened to me was at a Holiday Inn in Toronto. I doubt it's illegal, but it's a good lesson in checking your bill before signing.

I take great exception to any service establishment adding a service charge such as this. Needless to say, I wouldn't visit the RimRock or the Toronto Holiday Inn again. <BR> <BR>I stayed at the Holiday Inn in Calgary recently and was not charged this. It must be an individual thing.

Agree that RS prices are inflated, but I do enjoy the convenience of having breakfast and newpaper delivered, so I can start the day at leisure. An automatic calculation and addition of 15% is becoming more and more common for room service in upscale hotels. The rationale is that you would be tipping 15% so all is taken care of .. you sign now pay later. I must admit that pre-coffee in the morning, I rather prefer that method. No need for an additional tip .. you just smile, sign and say, "How convenient to have the tip already calculated. "

On one hand, I too can see the convenience of this. No calculating, and honestly, since I always give 20% at restaurants, I'm actually saving money.

I take exception to it because tipping is supposed to be for excellent service. If it is just added on top, there is no incentive and you often do not get the service that you should recieve. It is a way for restaurants and hotels to pay their staff but that is not our responsibility as paying guests. Tipping is an option, no matter which way I look at it. I always tip for good to exceptional service and the %'g depends on how good it was. But I do not feel I should be required to pay a mandatory gratuity.

Bee - you are experiencing the next wave of "Loophole Charges" that has hit the hospitality industry. Gratuity charges for room service (in addition to the already highly inflated food prices) have joined "energy Charges" and all sorts of local "Bed Taxes", as unannounced, separate add-ons that are not listed in the room rates. <BR> <BR> On a recent trip to California, a $15 per night/room energy charge was added to my bill. For two rooms and three nights that works out to an additional $90 for the hotel... If you complain enough, they will reduce or remove the charge, but my guess is that this is the beginning of a wave of hidden fees added to the posted room rates. <BR> <BR>When faced with the same charges at a Toronto hotel recently, I simply stated to the room service deliverer, "Oh, I see they have included your tip on the Bill already." He acknowledged that as a policy related to tipshare at the hotel, that the monies were put into a pool and shared evenly among all restaurant staff. This policy allows the hotel to also track tips and Tax all the monies through payroll. If that's the case, it seems fair. <BR> <BR> The drawback is for hotel guests who don't check their bill, sign-off and retip the server... my room-service pal said he likes that because he gets to keep that money tax-free and still gets the tipshare...

Message:WAS PLANNING A REUNION IN QUBEC 2002,AFTER READING THESE MESSAGES WE ARE <BR>CANCELLING OUT.

Hawkeye, not all hotels/motels charge this fee. In fact, in Western Canada, I would view it to be the exception. I stay frequently in Calgary and in Victoria and have never been charged a "service charge". I guess you just must contact whereever you want to stay and inquire. Further, if I wasn't informed "up-front" and agreed to it, I wouldn't pay it without protest.

Hawkeye, with all due respect, you are being a schmuck. Perhaps you havn't noticed the theme of the above posts i.e. that this is a worldwide trend that started, probably before you were born, in Europe and actually came to the US before it came to Canada. At least I first saw it about 25 years ago in Hawaii and Seattle and first saw it in Canada in Victoria about 20 years ago. <BR> <BR>So why IN CAPITALS YET are you taking it out on Quebec City??????

Hawkeye: Did you get tired of trolling on the Europe board? Outa here .. nobody's gives a rat's behind.

Bee, <BR> <BR>You should not add on any extra money to a room service bill if there is a service charge added in. <BR> <BR>There is typically around 18% added in (pre tax) to all larger (and sometimes smaller) hotel room service bills. <BR> <BR>You can, however have that amount removed if there is a problem with the food or service (or both...). That would be arranged by simply signing your bill and then calling down to either the restaurant manager or the hotel manager and discussing the problem. <BR> <BR>This is not a fee solely going to the hotel for providing the service. <BR> <BR>I hope this helps.