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Everything You Need to Know About Tipping at Sandals Resorts
So you’re planning a Sandals honeymoon or vacation and wondering about tipping at Sandal’s Resorts? It’s a common question I get as a Sandals travel agent because Sandals does things differently than most all-inclusive resorts!
Sandals Resorts are the perfect option when you are looking for an adults-only all-inclusive vacation. You get sun, sand, warm weather, and all-you-can-eat dining experiences.
Plus, the knowledge of no surprise bill at the end of your vacation. So, why do you think I want to share everything you need to know about tipping at Sandals Resorts?
If you’re overwhelmed with options for where to stay, check out how to hold a Sandals room FOR FREE!
Is tipping allowed at Sandals?
Let’s get right to it and learn about tipping at Sandals Resorts. Is tipping allowed at Sandals Resorts? How much should you tip at Sandals Resorts?
Well, tipping is forbidden at all Sandals Resorts. Yes, it’s actually forbidden! Many all-inclusive resorts say that tips are included, but they really aren’t. With Sandals, it’s the truth! That is part of why you pay more for a Sandals vacation.
There are only a couple of instances where you are allowed to tip for services. Beaches Resorts tipping is not a thing either. So, keep that in mind if you do an all-inclusive family vacation at any of the Beaches Resort locations.
Sandals is couples-only and adults only, so check out my Beaches Resorts locations post if you are traveling as a group or family!
Back to what you need to know about Sandals Resorts tipping. You are allowed to tip for:
- Butler services
- spa treatments
- any outside vendor services
That’s it! While most all-inclusive resorts say that tipping is included, it is common knowledge that resort employees are not paid well and rely on tips. This is not the case at Sandals Resorts. Tipping at Sandals beyond these exceptions is not just frowned upon; it’s strictly forbidden!
Tipping Sandals Resorts Butlers
Let me begin with Sandals Resorts butler tipping. At Sandals Resorts, you can have your own personal butler! All you need to do is have your trusty travel advisor (that would be me!) reserve a suite with butler service.
You can also check out Sandals Resort Room Categories – Luxury vs. Club vs. Butler to learn more about Butler services and Sandals room categories. Butler is the highest tier, so if you want to best of the best, you want the Butler category rooms.
If you have a Butler suite, you will be greeted by your butler when you arrive at your Sandals Resort. All the butlers at Sandals Resorts are trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers. Your butler will be available to you throughout your vacation.
Although, please understand that you may have a couple of different butlers during your stay. After all, no one can work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will generally have 2-3 Butlers who assist during your time at Sandals.
What to Expect from Your Sandals Resorts Butlers
There is a reason Sandals Resorts butler tipping is allowed. The butlers go above and beyond to ensure your stay is fantastic. So you might be wondering what Butlers do at Sandals Resorts. The question should be, what do they not do because they truly do a lot!
A few of the things you should expect from your Sandals Resorts butler include:
Making All Your Reservations
One of the worst things about vacations is making all of the dinner, spa, and activity reservations. Thankfully, your butler can make all these reservations when you stay at Sandals Resorts.
Pro Tip: Your butler can even secure your beach and pool chair reservations. After a leisurely breakfast, you can sleep in a little and have your chairs waiting for you.
Check dates and availability for your Sandals vacation here.
Sandals Butlers provide attention to Small Details
The butlers at Sandals Resorts learn to pay attention to the small details that will take each guest’s visit to the next level. Whether this is making sure a bottle of champagne is waiting on ice when you return or taking the initiative to book a reservation without being asked.
You will be amazed at how quickly your butler learns what you like and don’t. They are quite intuitive. So, if they see you took a long relaxing bath one night, you will find a hot bath drawn in time for your arrival the next night.
With a Sandals Butler, everything is taken care of
Having a single person to contact when you need an extra pillow, blanket, or something else saves you time. Instead of waiting on hold for the front desk or concierge, your needs are answered quickly.
24-Hour Room Service
You will never wake up at midnight and wonder where you can grab a bite to eat when you have a butler while on vacation at Sandals Resorts. If your butler is unavailable, there is still a person answering the room service phone. And they will be more than happy to bring you your favorite dish from the menu.
In-Room Dining
There is nothing better than trying all the dishes at the different restaurants at Sandals Resorts. You might not like walking to each restaurant at the end of a long day.
Well, I have the perfect solution for you! It’s called in-room dining. Simply tell your butler what you would like, and they will deliver it to you in your room. Sandals Butlers can even set up breakfast in bed or a romantic dinner on your balcony.
No crowded restaurants. No small talk with other guests along the way. Just relax in paradise as you dine on delicious cuisine.
Of course, your butler will do so much more, from escorting you to your suite and unpacking your luggage to repacking and arranging transport to the airport for your departure. There is almost nothing your butler won’t do to make your vacation memorable!
How much should you tip Butlers at Sandals Resorts?
Butlers at Sandals Resorts work very hard to make sure your stay is absolutely perfect. Therefore, it is appropriate to tip your butler at Sandals Resorts.
The average amount is around $20 per day. This is typically paid at the end of your vacation. Of course, you should feel free to tip them more if they go above and beyond during your visit. $20/day is just the average amount.
Other Times Sandals Resorts Tipping is Allowed
Now that we got Sandals Resorts butler tipping out of the way, let’s talk about other times tipping is allowed. It’s a short list, so it should be easy to remember.
Airport Valets and Transfer Drivers
Anyone who helps you with your bags at the airport is not a Sandals employee. Neither are the transfer drivers nor shuttle bus drivers. Therefore, you can tip them for their excellent services.
The amount of money you tip can depend on how much luggage you have and how far the resort is from the airport. It’s typical to tip valets $5+ and transfer drivers $10-$20, depending on the situation and how long you are in the vehicle.
Golf Caddies
Everyone who plays golf at a Sandals Resort must use a golf caddy. You are allowed to tip your caddy. Since all the golf caddies offer helpful golf tips, I recommend you tip them well.
Spa Technicians
The staff at the spas at Sandals Resorts provide high-quality services. You will see a service charge added to your spa bill when you receive your spa bill. Many people think this fee is a tip for spa technicians. However, it is not.
You should tip your spa technicians the same as you would back home or on another all-inclusive trip. It’s common to tip 10% or more of your total spa bill.
Excursions
When you venture out on an excursion, you leave the Sandals Resorts property. And most of the time, you are with a private company and not Sandals employees. Tipping is allowed and even necessary in these scenarios.
The amount you tip is up to you. It can depend on how much you enjoyed the experiences each tour guide gave you.
Tipping at Sandals Resorts
This is everything you need to know about tipping at Sandals Resorts. Keeping these tipping opportunities in mind can make it easy to understand how much money you will be spending on tips before you even arrive for your vacation.
I hope that this simple guide on tipping butlers at Sandals and tipping at Sandals helped you understand how everything works. You can tip your Butlers and anyone working outside of Sandals; otherwise, leave the cash in your wallet!
I am a Sandals Certified Travel Agent, and I would love to help you plan your honeymoon, destination wedding, or another special event! Feel free to reach out via my contact form to learn more. I’d be happy to help you choose which type of Sandals room category is best for you.
Alternatively, you can go over to Sandals and check availability for your preferred dates.
If you have already booked a Sandals vacation in the last 14 days, I may still be able to help! Inquire ASAP to find out how I can add value to your Sandals vacation.
Sandals Vacation Ideas
Want even more Sandals vacation or Sandals honeymoon ideas? Check out some of my other blog posts:
- Are Sandals the best all-inclusive resorts for honeymoons?
- Everything You Need to Know About Sandals Dunn’s River
- Everything you need to know about Sandals Ochi
- Sandals Resorts in Barbados
- Which Sandals Resort has the best beach?
- Everything you need to know about Sandals South Coast
- 11 Tips for Planning a Sandals Destination Wedding
- Everything you need to know about Sandals Royal Curacao
- Everything you need to know about Sandals Royal Plantation
- Which Sandals Resorts have overwater bungalows?
- The five best Sandals Resorts for honeymoons.
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About Amy | A Sandals Travel Agent
Amy Fillinger is the owner of Luxe Aloha Destinations and Luxe Caribe Destinations. I am a honeymoon travel agent and destination wedding specialist for Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Mexico. I work with busy professionals who don’t have time to do all the research needed to pull off the perfect honeymoon or destination wedding. Did you know that I have over 12 years of experience in the wedding industry? Before starting my travel business, I was a wedding photographer for many years. I’d love to help make your honeymoon, destination wedding, or anniversary dream vacation come to life. Contact me for more.
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