The SERVICE CHARGE is the tip...it goes to the waiter.

My husband, who is in the hotel biz, always tells me...."the tip is already included, nothing extra unless the service is outstanding." I always double check to see what the percentage is...sometimes its different.

More importantly, don't forget to leave a tip for the housekeeper; they work hard for their money, really appreciate the tips & are often forgotten.

amen to that rattravelers. I am amazed at how many people forget the cleaning staff or simply choose not to tip them.

"My husband, who is in the hotel biz, always tells me...."the tip is already included, nothing extra unless the service is outstanding."

I know little to nothing about room service and hope I never have to use it. I find eating in my hotel room the epitome of depressing. But I'm curious what could possibly constitute "outstanding" service from a guy delivering room service. He knocks on your door, he wheels it in, he presents the check. Am I missing something? Does the "outstanding" delivery guy make your bed while he's there? Does he salt and pepper your food for you and cut your steak? I mean really -- what WOULD constitute "outstanding" room service delivery?

"it is rarely more than about $10 more than going down to the dining room.'

Quick..where is that hotel??????

"I know little to nothing about room service and hope I never have to use it. I find eating in my hotel room the epitome of depressing. But I'm curious what could possibly constitute "outstanding" service from a guy delivering room service."

I sense you don't travel much for business. As a business traveler, who is often showing up at a hotel at 9pm after a flight or who has work to do after a long meeting, room service can be a blessing.

What's outstanding service? I remember a room service waiter who delivered my food quickly, then stood at the window of my hotel pointing out buildings and suggesting things to do near the hotel. That was outstanding service and I gave him a tip.

Patrick, I'm thinking that outstanding service would include at least a shoulder massage

Eh, I don't really want the guy to stick around and look out the window talking to me while I'm trying to eat food that is already half cold. I find that kind of creepy.

To each her own. I don't tip in addition to the service charge and delivery fee.

And I avoid room service when at all possible.

swaymock, I'm with you on both your first two comments. LOL

No, MikeT, I don't travel a lot for business. I do know when I was doing those grueling markets twice a year, I'd return to my room exhausted each day in the early evening. But choosing between reviving myself by taking a shower and going out to a nice restaurant for a cocktail (or two) and a nice dinner even by myself in comfortable surroundings, or collapsing in my room and eating steam table food delivered to my hotel room where I sit all along -- no hesitation -- I'd head out every time. But then I'm also the type that can't think of anything worse than being served breakfast in bed. It's bad enough when I have to do that in the hospital -- no way would I ever choose to do it. To each his own.

"Eh, I don't really want the guy to stick around and look out the window talking to me while I'm trying to eat food that is already half cold. I find that kind of creepy."

I asked him a specific question. Like, "Boy, I love this amazing view. What's that building over there."

And I agree, NeoPatrick, that eating out is usually preferable to room service. But when you've eaten out alone for five nights, sometimes it's nice to flip open the laptop and order room service and watch a little TV.

There's also something nice about having breakfast delivered while you are dressing and preparing for an early meeting. Especially if I can expense it.

No I don't tip extra.

But I used to without knowing it.

I was faily inexperienced back then. I ordered room service. I did NOT read closely enough and didn't notice the tip was already included. My fault.

But what really confused me was that there was a blank line on the bill for "gratuity." That's what made me think it was NOT included. So I ended up tipping on top of the tip. I think I did this a couple times before I read the bill closely enough!

Needless to say, quite the learning experience.

If that blank for gratuity is big enough to write INC, then feel free to do so.

Another time when room service worked for us was when our kids were young & got tired & cranky, a restaurant was no place for them after a long day of travel or sightseeing.

Examples of outstanding room service could be something like going out of their way to ensure a special request...i.e. coming through with a request for an item not on the menu.

or extremely prompt delivery; sometimes it can take up to an hour for room service...if you are short on time and say you need it in 15 minutes and they deliver, they may deserve a few extra bucks.

Maybe something like, my 5 year old immediately drops her pizza on the floor and the server quickly returns with another at no extra charge.

When I worked for a hotel in Miami, and did room service, sometimes I should have tipped THEM....it was always fun delivering a dozen EVIAN waters to a suite of models getting ready for a photo shoot by the pool.

milemarkerO, to boost your tip you could have offered to help apply a little sunblock or oil? But I bet your thought of that!

I agree with those of you who think tips are not necessary with service and delivery charges added, but I enjoy the smile of the service person when I hand them a couple of dollars anyway. I do it now that I can afford it, but when I couldn't, I didn't, and didn't feel bad about it.

I used to be a waitress, and I remember the thrill of those big tip days.

Examples of outstanding room service could be something like going out of their way to ensure a special request...i.e. coming through with a request for an item not on the menu.

or extremely prompt delivery; sometimes it can take up to an hour for room service...if you are short on time and say you need it in 15 minutes and they deliver, they may deserve a few extra bucks.

Do you really think the room service waiter or waitress (who gets the tip) has anything to do with special orders or how fast you get your food?

dmlove, I'm with you on that. That sounds like reducing a waiter's tip because the kitchen was slow, or even adding to the tip because the kitchen made some changes per your request. I don't consider any of that as having anything to do with the "service", although I know many people do blame the waiter if the kitchen is slow.

In restaurants, waiters and cooks share tips. I'd assume, the same in hotels, no?

Faina, around here NO waiters share their tips with cooks!

And I sure can't imagine a room service guy going to the kitchen and saying to the chef, "here take half of this -- the guy liked the food."

And I sure can't imagine a room service guy going to the kitchen and saying to the chef, "here take half of this -- the guy liked the food."

LOL!

I worked in accounting in restaurant where they've accepted credit cards, so I was the one responsible for separating "gratuity" from payments, and I know they've shared with cooks.

The same was in the restaurant where my husband worked as a cook, he was getting tips - shared by all.

San Francisco, CA.

It was done once a week in the first place, twice a month in the second.