march

I am going to the Big Island, Hawaii in March and staying at a much nicer resort than I have ever visited.
OK so I finally understand the tipping of maids and bellhops (well sort of) but on the website of the resort where I am staying it mentions gratuities/tips for beach attendents (it says that you can ask for tips for meals & drinks to be added automatically or add them at the time the check is given but that it is up to you to tip maids, bellmen, and BEACH ATTENDENTS) what on earth? beach attendents? how much? for what services? when??
Since I am finally the grown up and now the one dealing with this I want to seem like I know what I am doing even if I don't. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

belle

Yes, if you're staying at a "much nicer resort" you will find that a tip is due for pool or beach service. They will bring you chairs and towels and set them up on the beach, or cater to you at the pool...really a dollar or two is fine by my standards...you;ll know when you get there if the service is worthy of a tip, I hope it is!

Kehau

Hmmmm. I am certain that the beach attendants would appreciate a tip, but it's not necessary. If the beach attendant simply gives you a towel and guides you to a chair by the pool, just thank him or her warmly--no tip is required. That's their job--plus, why would you want to bring money or your wallet down to the pool area? Now, if you order a drink from the beach attendant, they'll expect a gratuity. In short, tip only if you want to . . . don't feel obligated. I would tip bellmen $1 per bag, maids $1 per day (not required but very nice), and I wouldn't tip the pool attendant unless I ordered drinks.

overtipper

hmmmm,
I always bring a few singles to set my chair up....maybe you're picturing another kinda resort...mine is about service, and service for a dollar or two deserves to be recognized. Call me nuts, but if I'm staying at a "much nicer resort", I'll give the bellman that escorts us to our room at least $10, and $5 a day to housekeeping,$2 for pool or beach service, and $1or$2 for the valet team. These people are working for a vey minimun wage, compared to those of us that can offord to stay at these places...you can afford a little gratuity Kehau

Kehau

I agree with the earlier post in that hotel employees work very hard often at minimum wage and rely on tips. But the size of the tip should really depend on the level of service and the resort. I suppose we should define "much nicer resort." For example, at Manele Bay on the island of Lanai, the beach attendant will provide you with snorkeling gear and carry your items 50 way down the beach and set you up with chairs and towels. Yes, I would tip in that case. But if the attendant hands you a towel and lays it on a beach chair 10 feet away from the towel stand, it's up to you. Let common sense prevail. When in doubt, ask the hotel front desk what amount is customary. They'll be happy to tell you.

hawaii

Thanks so much for the helpful hints! I am staying at Kona Village Resort in case that helps anyone with details!

sss

If you want to make sense of tipping beach attendants send away for "Waikiki, in the wake of dreams", it touches lightly on the long tradition of beach boys on Waikiki. It is a culture that starts at youth and in some passes all the way to the grave. There is an actual funeral the beach boys give each other. I know after seeing this film it will not be hard for me to pop a tip. Your not in mainland U.S., different ways here. But March when you see these grown men (some in 50's)getting your towels, umbrellas in the heat, would it be hard that difficult for you to tip?

sss

pss that was a video I was referring to above