Tipping at B&Bs
 

I am confused about how to tip when dinner is served by a bed and breakfast establishment. Is tipping appropriate in this instance? Does it matter who serves the dinner - the host as opposed to hired help? I have not seen this issue addressed in this forum, and am curious how other Fodorites handle it!

My husband and I go to B&B often - we don't tip for breakfast - if dinner is an additional (and it usually is) we tip the average 20%. Good question Molly, I haven't seen this question before!

I have only stayed at a B&B one time where dinner was offered (and it was included) with our stay. Dinner was served by the owner and her "chef" husband. We didn't give an additional tip.

I own a B&B and why would I not like a tip if I had provided lovely service, a great meal and comfort for guests? <BR>If tipping is for good service etc then it would be appropriate to do so in this instance.

Shirley, shame on you as the owner do you not make a PROFIT by providing the services that your guests are paying for. Too bad you didn't post your inns name as I would never want to visit any inn where the greedy owner assumes that just because they provide what I am paying for I have to leave an additional tip. Shirley, take some of those profits and buy a dictionary and look up the word "tip"....

We do own B&B and would never even think about tips. Although another b&b in our village has envelopes, specified for tips, which they place on the night table in each room. When we set the prices for our B&B we already take under consideration a fact that people who stay in B&Bs are not expected to tip in addition to regular prices. If B&B has a reaturant which is open to public then it is another story.

While at our first B&B's this weekend we had exactly the same question and I can here to post it. Thank you Molly for getting this started. We were served breakfast at both places and didn't tip. But we weren't sure if this was appropriate so wanted to be better prepared for next time.

Molly: In answer to your question, YES! Having stayed at numerous B&B's over the years, dinner is NOT a normal practice at these establishments. So in an instance such as this I would definitely tip regardless of who was catering it,& especially if it was exceptional.

Thank you to all who responded to my question. It's good to know that I am not alone in wondering about this. Unlike hotels, restarants, etc., there doesn't seem to be well-established "rules" for tipping for extra service at b&bs. Wendy, I have stayed at many b&bs over the years,and I have never tipped for breakfast, nor do I know of anyone else who does so. I ate once at a b&b where the hostess offered nightly a huge, delicious dinner to only its guests {not included in the price}. The first night we and another couple had dinner there. We didn't tip, and didn't notice that the other couple did either. The second night it was just my husband and me for dinner. Unsure of what was appropriate, we gave the hostess a few dollars as she walked us to the door at check-out the next morning. She seemed pleased, but we were uncomfortable. This summer we will run into the same dilemma, and will probably decide to err on the side of overcomensating. We could, of course, simply ask the host{ess} what the accepted practice is, but from reading the responses on this forum, there doesn't seem to be a meeting of the minds, even within the business!

When the meal is served by the owner and included in the price of the stay I would recommend not tipping. If you purchased the meal (as if it were a restaurant) I would tip even if it was served by the owner although I think it is actually proper to NOT tip the owner of a business for providing good service. Certainly if they went out of their way for you (prepared a meal with special dietary concerns or for a special birthday or anniversary) I would give a tip.<BR><BR>

Harry, you certainly got it right!!!