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another tipping question (honeymoon related)

bridgetlbbridgetlb
500 Comments
in Texas-Dallas and Ft. Worth
we are going to a secrets all inclusive resort. one of the reasons we picked an all inclusive resort was so that we wouldn't have to worry about money like we did in maui last year. i've been searching their facebook page and alot of people are talking about tipping.... i'm so confused!!!! some places forbid it (obviously not this place)... even if it is only like $1 each drink, etc, we have the money!!! but really don't feel like carrying it around all the time!!!! especially worrying about having $1's and stuff... frustrated!

any thoughts?
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Re: another tipping question (honeymoon related)

  • fallbride1109fallbride1109 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    If you tip at an AI, you will get better service.  We always take dollar bills and tip like a dollar per drink.  We also ask them to use premium liquor (but sometimes they still don't).  We also once tipped the Maitre D when he allowed us to come in late to dinner without a reservation.  We tipped him $10 (after the fact--he got us in because he was just nice) and he was our friend for life.  We got in at dinner every night and had the best service.
    Planning the Meal
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  • bridgetlbbridgetlb
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    :(
    wish i could just tip up front and be done with it!!! i HATE carrying money.
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  • fallbride1109fallbride1109 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Tipping is very important to Ben.  We usually just take what we will need when we go to the pool, etc.  But yeah, it's a pain because when we carry cash, Ben won't let the maids clean our room!
    Planning the Meal
    With All the Trimmings
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  • Tiffany618Tiffany618
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ditto Stephie.   We tipped about $1 per drink and a few dollars at dinner for good service.   I don't think it was expected, but it definitely kept them at our beckon call for anything we wanted, especially on the beach.

    Also, we tipped housekeeping well because a. they did a great job, and b. they gave us extra towels and made these humorous towel animals.  Even tipped turndown service $1 and always had a special treat when we came back. 
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  • bridgetlbbridgetlb
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    funny!!! i'm an obsessive over tipper and so is my FI, but i just like when you can tip at the end of the week, like on a cruise. i guess i will have to suck it up and carry the cash.... just was wondering how others thought about the whole thing.
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  • NMac2010NMac2010
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You don't really want to be caught in a place like that without cash. You never know what you may need it for.

    And I agree with Stephie, if you tip, you get better service. So, I would advise tipping!!
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  • AmberMarieTXAmberMarieTX
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I went to an AI place in Cancun and we definitely got better service when we tipped. On nights we were going to be sitting at the bar, we would tip five dollars for our two drinks and then not tip for the next round or two, depending on the service. We would sort of repeat this pattern so we weren't always getting out money.

    And fwiw, we also gave the guy at the front desk an extra 100 bucks to give us a much better room, so that was nice. FI handled that and it seemed a little hush hush but he made it happen.
    Disclaimer: Please excuse the above comment. I'm probably freaking out because there is less than one month to go. Thank you.
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  • bridgetlbbridgetlb
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    that brings up something i'm freaking out about.... at our resort, there is only
    1 - presidental suite
    4 - really big suites with 2 bedrooms
    16 - Oceanview Swim Out suites
    and 329 normal suites.

    we booked an Oceanview Swim Out and splurged on the cost, but i'm so scared we will get there and they will be overbooked and give us a regular suite. the Oceanview Swim Out is one of the main reasons we booked. i'm hearing some really bad reviews on them overbooking - it is a new resort that opened up in march and things are getting better on other fronts, but not really the overbooking of the special suites.
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  • AmberMarieTXAmberMarieTX
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I would say if they overbook, just push back. Tell them that it is your HONEYMOON and they should be pretty accomodating. Tell them this is important to you to have the swim out and maybe they will keep you in and push someone else out that booked after you. Or I would say, well we will take an upgrade at no cost, then (or at VERY little cost). Or I would say, "If we have to go down to a normal suite, I expect a huge discount because this our HONEYMOON."....  this is easier in some countries than others, but in Mexico it should be very possible. Just negotiate with them.
    Disclaimer: Please excuse the above comment. I'm probably freaking out because there is less than one month to go. Thank you.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Our Huge Planning Blog :) * Updated 06/11
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    July 2011 Bride
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  • Tiffany618Tiffany618
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Call to confirm everything a week in advance and let them know its your honeymoon...I can't imaging that they wouldn't give you your suite or even upgrade you.
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  • bridgetlbbridgetlb
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    i sent an email to the concierge who has been helping me book my extras that came with the extra package we got. i'm hoping that will help. i know there are not any upgraged rooms from what we have, and i know for a fact that they will compensate by giving you a stay another time - i'd be really upset cause we booked WAY in advance (before it even opened up) and if all that happened, i would NOT come back. so, i'm hoping and praying for the best, but having nightmares about the worse... not really, but still.
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  • bridgetlbbridgetlb
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    the horror stories i've heard - the people were on their honeymoons as well!!! plus there is only one upgrade to one of 4 2-bedroom suites that aren't swim outs, so that would be a down grade for us!!!
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  • AmberMarieTXAmberMarieTX
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I wonder if you can call them now or in a couple of weeks to confirm your booking? Just so you can maybe have peace of mind right now. Let them know how important it is to have your honeymoon in the swim out oceanview and thank them for checking on it for you. I'm not sure how all that works, but I would definitely say stand firm if that is what is important to you. If you end up having to downgrade (to a "better" or worse room), you never know what perks they will give you to try and make up for it. It won't be what you imagined, but it will still be a great honeymoon (especially if they give you perks!!)
    Disclaimer: Please excuse the above comment. I'm probably freaking out because there is less than one month to go. Thank you.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Our Huge Planning Blog :) * Updated 06/11
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    July 2011 Bride
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  • bridgetlbbridgetlb
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    besides me contacting them, my travel agent has as well - she has been awesome!!
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