SusanG

I read a few posts relating to this, but posts in the past say individuals should do what each individual feels is correct, which is true, but could truly use some guidance from others on this. We are off to Italy in a month and I have been corresponding with a concierge in Rome for almost a year....who really has gone above and beyond. Help with Borgese reservations, tour advice, .... a last minute reservation in June for friends who had not made hotel reservations in Rome, etc. I am not sure if it appropriate to tip this person....(and what amount.....there are 3 of us, there for a week, maybe $150?) ......or whether a gift is appropriate.... or whether I am totally off base. Would like to do the right thing, and would much appreciate some advice. Thanks in advance for assistance.

nytraveler

The concierge is a hotel employee - not a friend. A gift is totally inappropriate. You tip - in cash. If this person has been helping you for a year - you need to figure out what to tip for the various service. Something like getting a couple of tickets for an easy venue - like Borghese -might be $10. Getting tickets to a sold out concert or event might be $100.

If he rescued your friends from sleeping in the park - they owe him a significant amount (he doesn;t get commission on these) - unless it's his own hotel.

For usual services handing out maps, giving you brochures on tours and booking them (for which he will get a commission) are free.

So it doesn;t matter the number of peole or the number of days - but what the concierge did/does - and how difficult/time-consuming it was.

thereyet

What nytraveler said, but the "sold out show" thing I may disagree with. It isn't likely that you won't pay a big premium for such tickets, as they are probably bought through an agency where the concierge may indeed be getting a commission. In any case, its still just a matter of a phone call or two, and your credit card number.

Mainhattengirl

I suggest that you write an outstanding review on Trip Advisor about the hotel and please mention the concierge by name. An excellent review is like money in the bank for many businesses.

Cathinjoetown

The review is a good idea but I would also leave a tip. I put cash in an envelope, hand directly to the person with of course a smile and a thank you. I would wait to see how much you use his services during the week, depending on that, as it's cumulative for many services, I think maybe 75 € would be greatly appreciated. Not dollars.

For a week of chasing lots of things for me or for my customers, I used to tip 50-75 in local currency.

tipsygus

As has already been said it's his/her job. In Europe, and I
recognise that things are possibly different in the States, I would be unlikely to tip, unless I regarded the action above and beyond the job description. Getting tickets, in fact everything the OP has written are part of the job. So in my book no tip, a pleasant "Thank you for all you help" would enough. The concierge will probably not remember you by name unless you have used the hotel in the past, bear in mind he will thousands of guests through a year.

chartley

I once interviewed a man who was the concierge at a top hotel in Bath. One of the questions was about his income, and I raised the matter of tips.

He said that visitors asked him to recommend restaurants, and they tipped him when he did. The restaurants rewarded him with free meals. Everyone was happy.

annhig

i have to say that I disagree with the tip/present debate.

I think that it would be a very kind thought to take a small present [local food from where you live for example] as a thank you.

much more personal than money in an envelope, and much more appreciated by the recipient.

just because it's there job doesn't mean that they don't like presents.

another idea is after the trip to write to the management to praise the service you've had.

where does this paragon work, BTW?

tipsygus

Annhig what a good idea, better than tipping at least the management know they have good employee

Byrd

I think the best thing you can do is to tell us all who he is and at which hotel!

And when we all book reservations there, we can tell him you sent us.

Byrd

Pvoyageuse

"I would be unlikely to tip, unless I regarded the action above and beyond the job description."

.... which is exactly what the OP wrote about the concierge.
I would tip too.

HappyTrvlr

I have given the concierge a tip and have asked for his/her bosses' name and address so I could write a glowing report of their efforts for us.

SusanG

Hi everyone, and thank you all so much for your extremely helpful advice. I have it more in perspective now. Annhig, I know, everyone likes presents! I love the idea of a note to the owner ...manager....and of course I should do Trip Advisor. The hotel is the Rezidenza Canali ( just north of P. Navona) and the person I have gotten a lot of help from is Francesca. I love this hotel, have stayed there a couple of times. Nothing fancy, but for me the location cannot be beat. also....the hotel has two rooms at the top of 4 or 5 flights of stairs (no elevator) with little rooftop terraces....i mean, it is fantastic. Thanks again everyone!

Christina

Concierges expect tips, that's what the job is all about. They sure don't work just for a fixed wage. They don't want your present, this isn't a personal relationship, I think that is bad taste myself.

But I recently read an article by a concierge on this point and what would be considered the norm, it was very interesting. That concierge (in the US) didn't expect anything for simple or routine tasks, like making a restaurant reservation in a place where that was easy or no problem. They did expect it to get you into a place where you couldn't reserve yourself, special tickets or services, etc. I don't know what that concierge did for you, but some gratuity is in order if you were using his services for an entire year! I'm not sure on the level to be honest, as I don't use concierges, but at least $50-$100 doesn't seem too off.

Cathinjoetown

Agree, Chistina. I don't think a gift is appropriate.

uhoh_busted

Monetary tips are always nice and appreciated, and no matter what anyone's job is, a note to their boss is a great thing to do. Jobs are not easy to come by all over the world these days. When someone is particularly good at their job, the extra recognition can't come at a better time.