Any idea on what one should tip at the end of a stay at a villa where a cook and maid are provided? We will be buying our own food and drink but they will be preparing it. We will also have a 'houseperson' who will ehlp with shopping, driving, etc. Any help will be appreciate. We'll be staying for two weeks! Thanks in advance

You don't say how many people are in your party but as a rule of thumb, we normally figure our total gratuities should equal 15% to 20% of the total rental. I would base the division of the gratuity on the individual level of service you receive from each staff member. Often time the maid works the hardest of all staff members (only you know how demanding or messy your are while on vacation). I'd start by giving the maid between $7US and $10US per day per person (you can judge what is appropriate by the level of service you get). I'd give the cook a slightly lesser amount (say $5US per day per person - add a little extra if the cook does all three meals a day). If you are treated to some exceptional meals you can always increas the amount you give. The houseperson should get the least amount, perhaps $3Us to $5US per day per person.

There's no set rule when it comes to tipping household staff, do what you feel is comfortable.

Many villa web sites suggest at least 10% (total, shared amongst the staff). We usually give the cook a bit more than the maid since she is normally the more senior employee and sort of a manager, but that's not a hard and fast rule at all.

Thanks for the info. There will be 4 of us and we're not that messy. The houseperson may do some driving for us but that hasn't been determined yet. But we'll up the tip if he does. Thanks again!

The standard is different in different locations. Many villa managers and owners in fact do not want renters to be too generous as it throws off the pay scale.

What I would recommend is to ask the rental agent or owner if you are dealing with them directly as to what is standard. I have heard as low as 3% of rental. On a $20,000 a week rental that is $600 split over a staff of 3 (Cook, maid and gardner) with the cook getting $300 the maid $175 and and the gardner $125 for example, remembering that this may almost double their weekly salar.

15% of rental cost for the villa is customary minimum. Unless the policy is
pre-set by the house for who gets what
percent, split the tip up in envelopes and present personally to staff members the day before or of your departure. Normally, the cook does the most work and gets 50%. Atop the minimum, tip
additionally depending on services
provided, little extras, etc.

If you rent the same villa it is nice to call the staff in advance and see if there is anything from North America or Europe that they might like you to bring that they just cannot get or is very expensive.

Is nudity or topplesness allowed at villas??

Stewart:

I'm sure that going topless is something that villa staff is used to...as for nudity, I guess it would depend on the location and your own discretion and respect for the local culture.

I'm not sure what topless has to do with tipping...but maybe I'm missing something ! Hmmmm...maybe not !

Marion