Hotel Chain CEO Wants Guests To Tip More, Rather Than Raising Wages

Hotel Chain CEO Wants Guests To Tip More, Rather Than Raising Wages

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There’s currently a labor shortage in the United States, and as you’d expect, that’s also impacting the travel industry. The CEO of one hotel investment group thinks that the solution is for guests to tip more, rather than for hotels to raise wages.

Hotel chain CEO wants guests to tip when they arrive

HEI Hotels and Resorts is an investment firm that owns over 80 hotels in the United States, which are branded as Hiltons, Hyatts, IHGs, Marriotts, etc. CEO Ted Darnall has noted how much the hotel industry is being impacted by the labor shortage, since hotels just can’t get enough help.

He thinks there’s a solution to this shortage — nope, not higher wages, but rather guests tipping more. As Darnall explains:

  • Hotels should ask guests to pre-authorize tips when they arrive at check-in, to recognize the hard work of employees
  • The logic for guests leaving tips at check-in is because they can easily do so by credit card, and it’s believed that guests are carrying less cash than pre-pandemic
  • It’s claimed that raising wages or offering bonuses has “never been the solution” and is “an unsustainable competitive advantage” because “if somebody pays a dollar more then somebody else is going to match that”
  • HEI is considering adding a minimum gratuity to restaurant checks, which would be pooled and distributed among staff based on how many hours they work
  • Guests tipped more during the pandemic because they knew staff were making less, but as the pandemic subsides, guests aren’t sure whether to return to previous tipping habits or not, so it’s “important to educate customers” about how hard staff have been working
  • Bigger tips have an “emotional effect” on staff and lead to better service
One hotel group is considering adding a minimum gratuity for restaurants

My take on tipping at hotels

I want to try to share some constructive thoughts, rather than saying “just pay everyone a good wage so we don’t have to tip.” That’s not how many parts of our economy have worked for decades, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. That being said, there should be limits to tipping expectations, in my opinion.

With that in mind:

  • Personally I value being able to tip for services independently, rather than being asked to give a blanket gratuity to the staff at check-in; the former is in line with what I’d expect in the United States, while the latter fully feels like trying to directly pass on labor costs to consumers
  • I’m not even opposed to the concept of a service charge on room rate if it’s disclosed at the time of booking (we see this in lots of other countries), though along with that I’d like to see the government mandate that hotels advertise all-in costs, just as airlines do; I don’t like the idea of booking a hotel and expecting to pay a certain amount, only at check-in to be pressured into leaving a certain overall gratuity
  • I’m not totally opposed to the concept of a minimum gratuity at hotel restaurants, or at a minimum it’s something I’m used to since I live in Miami, where a large percentage of restaurants have some sort of a tip included (probably due to how international Miami is)
  • I think it’s reasonable to expect people to tip restaurant and bar workers, valet and bellmen, and even housekeepers (since they’re the hardest working and most underpaid people at hotels), but I think expecting tips beyond that is unreasonable
  • I don’t agree with the logic that the only solution is tips rather than higher wages, with the argument being that it’s not a sustainable competitive advantage; the reality is that the current hotel labor shortage isn’t because people are going to work at other hotels, but rather because they’re not working at any hotels

The direction the hotel industry is headed is very clear — hotels want you to pay more for your stay (including tipping more), and they want to provide less. Hilton’s CEO has warned that hotel service cuts (including labor cuts) are largely permanent, as he wants hotels to be higher-margin businesses with more labor efficiencies.

It’s disheartening the extent to which hotels want it both ways. Ultimately consumers are going to vote with their wallets, because not every hotel group is going to offer less.

Hotels want customers to tip more, expect less

Bottom line

The hotel industry is dealing with a labor shortage, as is so much of the economy in the United States. The CEO of one major hotel investment group thinks the solution is to get guests to opt-in to gratuities at check-in, rather than raising wages. This is all at a time when major hotel groups are trying to cut back service long term and become higher-margin businesses. I don’t love the direction this is all headed…

What do you make of this hotel group CEO’s desire for bigger tips from customers?

(Tip of the hat to View from the Wing)

Conversations (402)
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  1. Lisa Guest

    The problem I see with automatic gratuities added to the bill is, you have no idea if the hotel is distributing the money accordingly. I work for a corporation that charges 25 % on all banquet functions, but the staff only get a total of 17%. So the house is taking 8%of that service charge. It's very unfortunate because the client thinks that "service charge" is actually a gratuity. It's all very Scandalous.

  2. Steve Giles Guest

    you tip for service - tipping before getting good service makes the tip an entitlement and will not ensure good service.
    I leave tips for the housekeeper if the room is maintained - I normally stay 4 nights at a time and expect a clean room each day - can't tell you how many times I have watched some trash in the corner that stays there all week - kinda drives my tipping away

  3. Nils Guest

    Why not suggest we directly tip the shareholders, I'm sure they must be hurting just as bad... Shaking my head.

  4. B Ayerdis Guest

    If hotels want clients to tip more, then do away with the daily resort fees and paid parking.

  5. Ken Baumgen Guest

    Tried to stay at the Double Tree Inn (Hilton) in Parole, MD. TOTALLY poorly managed hotel. Moved to the Hilton Garden Inn located in Annapolis. 4 miles apart. Night and day. Good service is rewarded with good tips. And we are Hilton Honors members. Fix ALL your Hotel first.

  6. Tom Guest

    Some counties abroad do not have tipping, or frown upon it. They feel as I do, that a well paid employee with benefits is the employers responsibility. A happier employee is a great asset to any company, they'll work harder and thus, have a better additude. With CEO'S profiting in the millions, they can afford to pay their employees.

  7. Sandy Guest

    I will stay at a rest stop before i will do this. Hotels are already over priced.

  8. Berto Guest

    It's embarrassing that the customer who already pays for the pricey room is being asked to pay more. The "suits" think that they should earn their inflated salaries and not pay the ones who do the actual work decent wage. Profits over people needs to stop.

  9. Jeffrey Guest

    The CEO of an investment company wants me to subsidize his employee wages so he can brag to Wall Street about how great a CEO he is and this increase the ROI and his bonuses, greedy bastard that he is. No thanks.

  10. Michelle Greiner Guest

    Well I'm leaving in 10 days to NY and staying at a Homewood Suites Hilton) due to the kitchen facilities. The rate I am paying exceeds the mortgages on both my homes....I don't require daily maid service; usually just swap out towels when needed and this property does not offer a restaurant, bellman, or any extra amenities. No way am I going to pay a mandatory gratuity upfront for no services. Rediculous!

  11. Maridean Arch Guest

    At the end of the day, tips should remain discretionary. In a way, the consumer is already contributing to the wages with the payment of the bill. The CEO, board, & shareholders should consider a pay cut to themselves and reinvest in their employees & company so there are no long-term cuts that negatively impact the consumer.

  12. Stan Craddock Guest

    After taking a trip to Chicago and at a La Quinta and a Ramada, tipping would not be indicated. Rooms were minimally clean. Both had mold in the bathrooms, service was minimal at best and were not even close to pre-pandemic levels.

    Both advertised breakfast included but neither provided but still charged the w/ breakfast rate.

    COVID-19 is being used as an excuse for poor service, higher prices, substandard rooms, etc

    The Ramada was exceptional dismal.

  13. C9mm8nSenseGuy Guest

    Seriously! Hotels are out of control with their rates and their hidden fees. I can't tell you how many times I have been charged for a "resort fee" when I didn't even see a pool. It is the hotel's duty and responsibility to see that employees are paid a fair wage. If someone decides to tip a hotel worker that is the guest's prerogative, not obligation.

  14. Ange Guest

    You don't get paid more until you get skills employers are in demand of. Just because you exist doesn't entitle you to more money. Your skill level and quality of work are the reason you make a lot of money or not.

    Management of your career is a life long endeavor, everyday you should be looking to add skills to further your career.

  15. Sarah Guest

    Well TIPS - To Insure Prompt Service - are given beforehand for "Extra Special Service." But for "normal" service it is after the service. Passing labor costs to clients means I'm going elsewhere.

  16. Frank Berry Guest

    The hotel can suggest gratuities for the visitors to consider when visiting there hotel. Most people pay for the service rendered already. For the hotel to add a tip amount on your bill without your consent is ludicrous. The solution to the problem is your corporate pay, Do not pass this fee on to your visitors at check out.

  17. [email protected] Guest

    Raise wages AND increase benefits, especially add Defined Benefit pensions which reward staff staying with employers long term which should improve employee competence.
    I would happily pay a little higher room rate if I knew it was going to employees in both a short and long term manner.
    Companies should also lobby for a goernment run (funded by taxes or spectific fees like Medicare and social security) health insurance program to get that...

    Raise wages AND increase benefits, especially add Defined Benefit pensions which reward staff staying with employers long term which should improve employee competence.
    I would happily pay a little higher room rate if I knew it was going to employees in both a short and long term manner.
    Companies should also lobby for a goernment run (funded by taxes or spectific fees like Medicare and social security) health insurance program to get that expense off the employers direct expenses and help allow funding of pensions.
    These actions support both the industry's labor needs and the employees long term financial security. Win/ Win.

  18. Maria Guest

    They should pay better then. We already pay the hotel for a good service.

  19. Terrence Usand Guest

    Good morning, How about the CEO take a pay cut and raise the wages of the employees. Hotels already take advantage of their guest and employees. When you booked a room you never get your full days any way check in is at 4pm and check out is 11am where is the rest of guest hours of stay.

  20. Pxx Guest

    Occupation: Business Owner, CEO. My take on tipping hotel. I have read and reviewed labor economics. Paying everyone a good wage falls short when the economy grows. It takes year's for minimum wage to catch up with the economy. Hotel housekeepers they're the hardest working and most underpaid people. Housekeepers are like first responders and get paid less wages and benefits. They love their job. I think it's reasonable to expect people tip at hotels,...

    Occupation: Business Owner, CEO. My take on tipping hotel. I have read and reviewed labor economics. Paying everyone a good wage falls short when the economy grows. It takes year's for minimum wage to catch up with the economy. Hotel housekeepers they're the hardest working and most underpaid people. Housekeepers are like first responders and get paid less wages and benefits. They love their job. I think it's reasonable to expect people tip at hotels, restaurants, valet , bellman, bar workers. I challenge my colleagues, citizens, state and federal government to continue working for the people.

  21. Marketer Guest

    I marketered hotels before semi-retirement. This COO should be ousted immediately. Any human who has the authority and does not do this is just as bad.
    On the tipping and wage topic: it is the hotel's responsibility to pay a living wage to THEIR employees, unlike many past practices. If a hotel can't afford to pay a living wage, they should not be in business because that is nit ethical (no matter how common...

    I marketered hotels before semi-retirement. This COO should be ousted immediately. Any human who has the authority and does not do this is just as bad.
    On the tipping and wage topic: it is the hotel's responsibility to pay a living wage to THEIR employees, unlike many past practices. If a hotel can't afford to pay a living wage, they should not be in business because that is nit ethical (no matter how common it is). Tips should only be an added benefit for excellent service. Any business asking for a tip (that is based on the type of service one receives) BEFORE receiving the service, is insane. Service has gotten so bad over the last several years that many not only don't deserve a tip, people don't go out as often because they can't get anything close to even decent service or constantly complain about the bad service that we get nowadays. Bad service started way before the lack of employees epidemic that the pandmic started that is niw the reason businesses give for lack of employees who don't want to work for wages that can't provide a roof over their heads..

  22. Ryan Guest

    If its pre authorized then its not a tip. Its the price. Increase the price of the room and give your employees a higher wage if you're worried about their paychecks.

  23. Robin Bee Guest

    It’s about time corporations start paying their taxes. They need to start paying their employees a living wage and not look to the guest to pick up the slack. I don’t mind them having a minimum tip on every restaurant check. To expect us to leave a tip before we get any service is very unnerving, to say the least. I am at Hilton Honors Gold member very close to being a diamond member, I am rethinking staying with Hilton.

  24. John Christophel Guest

    What is his salary? Does he want a tip on his outrageous compensation? Just raise wages to get and keep good employees and quit being a tight ass. Pre selected tips won't work for this guy.

  25. EH Guest

    Instead of tipping more have the CEO pay these workers more. We should be asking him or her how much they are making including bonuses, car expenses, airfare and do on. CEO can take a flying leap!!!!!

  26. SD Guest

    Stop tipping and pay everyone a real wage. There is NO reason we should subsidize these billion dollar companies. Moreover, tipping is unique to America because of its roots in racism. Former slaves had to be paid by law, so business owners paid these servants as little as possible. It was a lawful way to pay blacks less than whites. STOP PAYING SLAVE WAGES.

  27. Marvin Guest

    First let me say. I stay in hotel rooms probably 30 to 40 times a year. A Tip or what I call a gratuity is and should be my choice. It should be based on whether I feel I received good service or not. If my family and I stay at a hotel and the stay was unpleasant I don’t leave a gratuity. When we have a good experience we leave a gratuity.
    Bottom...

    First let me say. I stay in hotel rooms probably 30 to 40 times a year. A Tip or what I call a gratuity is and should be my choice. It should be based on whether I feel I received good service or not. If my family and I stay at a hotel and the stay was unpleasant I don’t leave a gratuity. When we have a good experience we leave a gratuity.
    Bottom line, Hotel Industry should pay their employees a livable wage and not expect or attempt to require me to add to the chains bottom line by requiring a TIP! Call it what it would be. A mandatory surcharge on guests for being a guest. I would use a hotel that did not require the charge. Just pay your employees what they deserve!

  28. DG Guest

    First off, on a 3 day stay, I don’t see staff. They don’t come into your room anymore to tidy up and make bed. That goes back before COVID. You must request that service at both Marriott and Hilton brands. Second, I make all reservations via my chain’s app and receive a digital key. I do this because sometimes I’m getting in a little bit mostly due to front desk staff have become unfriendly in...

    First off, on a 3 day stay, I don’t see staff. They don’t come into your room anymore to tidy up and make bed. That goes back before COVID. You must request that service at both Marriott and Hilton brands. Second, I make all reservations via my chain’s app and receive a digital key. I do this because sometimes I’m getting in a little bit mostly due to front desk staff have become unfriendly in some cases, not all, but some, mostly in the larger urban hotels. So I’ll tip after I have been served and it will not before so don’t ask up front. And it will be to the room staff not the desk, they are only order takers like the drive through.

  29. Scott Macklin Guest

    Amen to firing the COO. I am tired of picking up the tab for companies that want to maximize short term profits so that the Management can receive unearned massive bonuses. They may ask for a gratuity but my answer will be no. I will just stay at the competitors property. American greedy Capitalism is doomed, this will not end well.

  30. CLAUDIA HITCHCOCK Guest

    What sort of an impact does a new law that Trump signed giving owners the right to keep a portion of the tip pool, supposedly for support, e.g. kitchen, staff?

  31. Dee Guest

    Tell the CEO to cut back on the millions that he is making each year along with other executives and spread that money among the employees.

  32. Kevin Corcoran Guest

    I'm opposed to tipping all together. I ran a business for 50 years and never expected a tip. Pay your help what they're worth and bid the project accordingly.

  33. Waynette lentz Guest

    I worked in the hotel 15 years! There are big tippers,small ones.the wages are to low.when you get a room with 30 beer cans,garbage every were,towels all over and bathroom dirty and no tip! That's it! Pigs ! When you have only two house keepers and 100 rooms to clean! And a full house that nite! When I stay in a hotel . I don't get a house keeper I do it,plus leave a tip...

    I worked in the hotel 15 years! There are big tippers,small ones.the wages are to low.when you get a room with 30 beer cans,garbage every were,towels all over and bathroom dirty and no tip! That's it! Pigs ! When you have only two house keepers and 100 rooms to clean! And a full house that nite! When I stay in a hotel . I don't get a house keeper I do it,plus leave a tip for everyday am there. People need to grow up and owners need to do it one day! Our Manger always help us .owners need to do it one day!!

  34. Ricardo Ortiz-Perez Guest

    Sorry I dont agree with this exec. Making guest pay for your ignorance is not the answer the answer is easy. PAY THE EMPLOYEES. Dont ask guest to pay fot something that is the companies responsiblity. I spent over 35yrs in the Hospitality Industry as executive and I always said the execs make money off the backs of the employees with crazy salaries cut ur salarues use that money to play ur employees and that...

    Sorry I dont agree with this exec. Making guest pay for your ignorance is not the answer the answer is easy. PAY THE EMPLOYEES. Dont ask guest to pay fot something that is the companies responsiblity. I spent over 35yrs in the Hospitality Industry as executive and I always said the execs make money off the backs of the employees with crazy salaries cut ur salarues use that money to play ur employees and that will help to pay there salaries. Dont expect guess to pay for somethinf that isnt our resposibilities. PLEASE ITS AN INSULT TO UR GUEST.

  35. Samo Guest

    This is insane. If some charge is basically compulsory, build it into the price. It's that simple and it works all around the world. There is no reason why it wouldn't in the US.

    The real reason why the service industry in the US prefers this option is that it allows them to advertise lower prices than they actually are. That's the one and only reason. Otherwise they would simply include the service in rates, food prices, etc.

  36. Donald Guest

    If the hotels want a blanket top. Then remove the 10% service charge on everything and don't nickle and dime us to death on everything.

  37. P wils Guest

    Your issue can be solved with a security deposit etc.
    If I leave a tip at a hotel it will be in the form of cash in the room , certainly not at the front desk.
    Mandatory tipping in the USA has to stop !!! It's out of hand
    Pay proper salaries !
    And u will get more efficient staff like Europe does .
    Ask a receptionist in here or Switzerland something and they will be a wealth of information.
    In the USA u get a basic reply .
    U get what you pay for

  38. P wills Guest

    You got to admire the cheek of these CEOs ,how much of his salary is dependent on customer tips.
    USA tipping has got totally out of hand.
    Anyway I'm totally against this "mandatory tipping culture"
    I tip is like giving at Christmas ,it's supposed to be "enjoyed " by the giver and the receiver !!!!

  39. steven j kelly Guest

    This is ridiculous, pay more raise rates is you have to, that is where competition comes in. To expect people who stay at your hotel to pay tips rather than you have to reflect your price is deceitful. Waitresses shouldn't depend upon tips either. It's not actually your customer's job to pay your employees directly.

  40. Manuel Granados Guest

    Screw this CEO asking people to tip more the CEO should pay his people more it's his company why should I pay for his workers I don't mind tipping for services I just don't like to be told to because it's my money not his

  41. Gone Forever Guest

    Thanks Ted,

    This is exactly why I only use air BnB.
    To hell with the CEO's quit staying at their hotels.

  42. Sir Revoy Guest

    Please list the hotel chains wanting us to tip more so I can be sure to avoid them. How about CEO's take a pay cut, and play employees more?

    Let's face it if we all quit working, corporate America would get a wake up call real quick.

    CEO's are worthless without employees.

  43. Billy D. Jones, Jr. Guest

    During my 3 decades at 4 or 5 star Hotel properties, my yearly income seldom went below $65,000. If people are used to these premium prices, they are certainly used to tipping well. People renting a $700 per night suite, several days in a row hardly even blink at handing you a $50 or $100 bill. That's like myself tipping $20 to valet my car, hardly nothing. It's the middle class people who go to...

    During my 3 decades at 4 or 5 star Hotel properties, my yearly income seldom went below $65,000. If people are used to these premium prices, they are certainly used to tipping well. People renting a $700 per night suite, several days in a row hardly even blink at handing you a $50 or $100 bill. That's like myself tipping $20 to valet my car, hardly nothing. It's the middle class people who go to Motel6 or Super8 who are clueless about tipping. Same with upscale restaurants charging $45 to $60 per entree, with all side dishes served alacart. Don't spend above your means. It is a very simple concept and quite easy to put into action.

  44. Andre Mckinney Guest

    Lmao of course he or she wants customers to tip more so they don't have to pay their employees what they deserve to be paid. I hope and pray life gives these devil owners what they deserve. You will suffer some day

  45. Jane Grey Guest

    The hospitality industry IS about the labor that provides a safe, clean pllace to stay and which must artfully manage a demanding, difficult nd sometimes dangerous public.

    Why stay at a Hilton when a Motel 6 will serve as well if basic utility is all they offer in the quest to milk the cow dry? If you as a business person do not think that the workers are as much a part of your...

    The hospitality industry IS about the labor that provides a safe, clean pllace to stay and which must artfully manage a demanding, difficult nd sometimes dangerous public.

    Why stay at a Hilton when a Motel 6 will serve as well if basic utility is all they offer in the quest to milk the cow dry? If you as a business person do not think that the workers are as much a part of your success as your physical plant, then perhaps you need to find another job.

    If these CEO's want to.go live off the wealth generated by their investments they are welcome to do that instead.

  46. Mike Guest

    I tip well however I hate the “resort or amenity fees that are automatically added to my bill. If there is to be an automatic tip then get rid of these fees.

  47. Mbrocambro1 Guest

    I don't like to have my hand twisted; I noticed that trend in a lot bars I visit lately, and I have stopped going to every single one that engaged in that disrespectful practice. These businesses owners like to live large at the expense of their workers now they want to get us the customers to finance their greed. They will go out of business for sure.

  48. Laura Guest

    I don't feel it's the responsibility of the customer to help pay "your" employees hourly rate. It's the employers responsibility to pay their staff better. As customers, we patronize the various businesses(hotels, restaurants etc) so stop trying to pass everything on to the customers while you as the owners pocket all the money. If we stop patronizing your businesses, you will close. Stop being so greedy and pay the staff better. They have bills to...

    I don't feel it's the responsibility of the customer to help pay "your" employees hourly rate. It's the employers responsibility to pay their staff better. As customers, we patronize the various businesses(hotels, restaurants etc) so stop trying to pass everything on to the customers while you as the owners pocket all the money. If we stop patronizing your businesses, you will close. Stop being so greedy and pay the staff better. They have bills to pay and need to keep a roof over their heads. Customers tip, however you only piss customers off by trying to pass everything over to them. Ask yourself, could you live off what you pay your employees? That would be a "NO". Be a better boss, and pay better.

  49. Mbrocambro Guest

    I don't like to have my hand twisted; I noticed that trend in a lot bars I visit lately, and I have stopped going to every single one that engaged in that disrespectful practice. These businesses owners like to live large at the expense of their workers now they want to get us the customers to finance their greed. They will go out of business for sure.

  50. Jose cuervo Guest

    And now they'll see a down turn.
    Pay competitively to keep the best.
    If you don't you're only shooting yourself in the foot.

  51. JOHNNIE COX Guest

    I think the CEO of this hotel group is out of his mind. Why should we pay for his wages when he is not loyal to his employees. It all comes down to money money money money for they top 1%.

  52. Beebee Guest

    Is he going to match the tips, or will he keep raising his own salary?

  53. WrkrB Guest

    I'm really confused about why management thinks worker compensation is the customers' responsibility. In countries like Italy, few diners tip. Workers are paid by the restaurant. Left to its own, our free enterprise economy will self-correct. Management will need to pay higher wages to attract employees. Problem solved!

  54. Jdog Guest

    Pay your employees a living wage and pay your taxes. Cooperate with labor.
    BTW. There’s no such thing as an entry level job. There are just jobs. Hospitality, fast food, retail are sh&@hole jobs created for the service economy that replaced our manufacturing economy; thank you corporate America. Join a Union in manufacturing or construction. Organize those lifeless hospitality jobs into Unions with teeth. Trust me, housekeepers, cooks, receptionist and the like. This CEO...

    Pay your employees a living wage and pay your taxes. Cooperate with labor.
    BTW. There’s no such thing as an entry level job. There are just jobs. Hospitality, fast food, retail are sh&@hole jobs created for the service economy that replaced our manufacturing economy; thank you corporate America. Join a Union in manufacturing or construction. Organize those lifeless hospitality jobs into Unions with teeth. Trust me, housekeepers, cooks, receptionist and the like. This CEO doesn’t even know your name or care if your kid or parent is dying. His attitude is enough that you should walk out today. Don’t walk- run!

  55. Anonymous Guest

    People like to think that cleaning hotel rooms is easy money. It's not. There are good people that stay and leave little mess, then there are people that have ever manner of body fluid everywhere and cleaning up messes that crime scene investigators would cringe at. They have oh so many people to clean oh so many rooms. Pay them a decent wage. Most people won't tip and if you force the tip, you might...

    People like to think that cleaning hotel rooms is easy money. It's not. There are good people that stay and leave little mess, then there are people that have ever manner of body fluid everywhere and cleaning up messes that crime scene investigators would cringe at. They have oh so many people to clean oh so many rooms. Pay them a decent wage. Most people won't tip and if you force the tip, you might as well just hike up your rates again but while rates have gone up, the pay to the people haven't. And knowing this I am going to make sure I don't stay anywhere where there's a tipping requirement or request because I know you aren't paying your staff enough. Obviously the employees can find work elsewhere. So, I'm less worried about them.

  56. Linda Guest

    Pay the employees a living wage so that they do not have to depend on the possibility of a tip. Corporations are making cuts to the niceties across the board to cu expenses, and the staff pay the price of the unhappy customer. Don’t expect hotel guests to supplement the payroll. Just pay your employees. This scam has gone on long enough.

  57. Kevin Cruze Guest

    Tipping is looked down upon in Europe and Asia for a reason. Pay your employees more, your executives less and settle for smaller profits. Don't be greedy and don't expect customers to make up the difference.

  58. Dean Guest

    And the reason the hotels and restaurants are short staffed is because ownership doesn't pay them a living wage. I believe in capitalism but the chase for corporate profits has become unsustainable. Pretty soon it is going to be the 1% buying from and selling to themselves as they price everyone else out of existence. I just paid $75 for a small piece of fish at a 5 star resort that I paid over $300...

    And the reason the hotels and restaurants are short staffed is because ownership doesn't pay them a living wage. I believe in capitalism but the chase for corporate profits has become unsustainable. Pretty soon it is going to be the 1% buying from and selling to themselves as they price everyone else out of existence. I just paid $75 for a small piece of fish at a 5 star resort that I paid over $300 a night for a room that could have been in a Holiday Inn. Corporate America should start becoming more concerned with their employees rather than stockholders' returns. If no one is working for them, there will be no rooms filled and no meals cooked. It's a shame the workers at these hotels and resorts can't afford to stay where they work.

  59. oldAGE Guest

    Wow... "Here at Our Brand, we want you, the customer, to pay our staff to provide no services to you because we don't want to." The decline of customer service and value in hospitality is astonishing. I'll take SE Asia over anything in the US any day of the week. Pretty damned sad. Blame and burden others for lousy leadership.

  60. Holmes Guest

    You want guests to tip more, get rid of resort fees!

  61. Michael Gonzalez Guest

    So a CEO who makes more than most people expects us the consumers to pay their employees in tips rather than pay them living wages and roll that into the rates they charge for their rooms or suites. We the consumers should have the price up front so we can decide for ourselves if we chose to patronize your establishment. This guy should be fired for being a moron. These practices are the reason why...

    So a CEO who makes more than most people expects us the consumers to pay their employees in tips rather than pay them living wages and roll that into the rates they charge for their rooms or suites. We the consumers should have the price up front so we can decide for ourselves if we chose to patronize your establishment. This guy should be fired for being a moron. These practices are the reason why AirBnB and Booking.com are so popular. Don't add surprises into the bill as we arrive for checking in without pre-notice of these additional charges. Tips are for service beyond the normal expected norms, not to avoid your responsibilities as a corporation. CEO expects a end of the year bonus if he turns a good profit, why not share it with your employees? Greed pure and simple. I would not approve any pre-check in tips regardless of what guilt-trip tactic you try. I tip people personally in cash all around the world so their greedy bosses are never aware. Tips are for services rendered beyond expected norms, poor service equals no tip.

  62. Tom Corcoran Guest

    Pay your help. It's simple if people cannot survive on your wages they will not work for you.

  63. M H Guest

    The truth the hotel doesn't want give pay raises. All the tip money goes to parking, Resort fees. Now, they give less service with there hand out. Remember Reagan tax on tips? Also, pulling tips together doesn't work. Not all people are able to give outstanding service. The lazy substandard service person can make undeserving tips while the outstanding person carries the weight of bad service. It is the responsibility of hotel to pay liveable wages

  64. Ismael Guest

    All you have to do is increase your employees hourly pay. You tip accordingly to how well is the service is.

  65. Tom Guest

    Tipping is nothing more than passing labor cost on to the customer. Where does it end? Do we tip nurses, doctors? How about the grocery bagger at the checkout? Do we tip pest control operators, or the people that bring the uncooked food to the hotels?
    The answer is no we don't, yet each one provides a service.
    Also, since we are on the subject, you do not "automatically deserve" a tip as...

    Tipping is nothing more than passing labor cost on to the customer. Where does it end? Do we tip nurses, doctors? How about the grocery bagger at the checkout? Do we tip pest control operators, or the people that bring the uncooked food to the hotels?
    The answer is no we don't, yet each one provides a service.
    Also, since we are on the subject, you do not "automatically deserve" a tip as a waitress. If you are slow, forgetful, or rude you get squat
    This whole everyone gets a trophy stuff needs to stop!

  66. Rex Goss Guest

    The CEO's are one of the most overpaid people in the country. Pay your employees what they deserve. I have had it with all of this tipping, because the rich want to get richer. To hell with you CEO's.

  67. JTS Guest

    True that starvation wages approved by over-the-top-compensated CEO's deny workers at the bottom of the hotel pay scales the ability to live in peace! May our underpaid, hardworking brothers and sisters find work that rewards their integrity and dignity.

  68. Robert L Lyons Jr. Guest

    This suggestion comes from someone who is not morally or intellectually qualified to run a 80 unit hotel chain. This is the admission of spiritual greediness from the core of the soul. If you run your hotel at a 63 to 72 percent annual occupancy rate, you only have to raise your hotel room rates $24 per night to be able to pay all employees $18 per hour. And set a new mandate in a...

    This suggestion comes from someone who is not morally or intellectually qualified to run a 80 unit hotel chain. This is the admission of spiritual greediness from the core of the soul. If you run your hotel at a 63 to 72 percent annual occupancy rate, you only have to raise your hotel room rates $24 per night to be able to pay all employees $18 per hour. And set a new mandate in a advertising piece that we rent our rooms and guests are not expected to tip any persons on our staff. Your hotel would be the most sought after hotel chain in the world. Shortsighted greedy blindness brings everybody down.

    This guy wants to pass his costs off to paying patrons for what reasons. Higher pay for him. Dividend increases to shareholders, stock buy backs, Sick people running these companies !

  69. Dennis Guest

    Pay your people. For what you charge, and what you are taking away, I figured the tip was included in the room price.

  70. Happy Trails Guest

    I don’t have a problem with tipping the staff and I do. My problem is the local county , city state tourism taxes. They don’t provide one thing to earn this large fee. I am sure the hotel are taxed with property taxes.
    Another problem with some hotels they charge a parking fee.
    Name another business that charge for the customer to park their car.

  71. Mike Guest

    Well maybe Einstein should drop his prices...and as far as tipping at hotels isn't cleaning your room to a certain standard the basic job description...isn't tipping for exceptional service? seriously...wtf

  72. NAC Guest

    They want the person who is paying for the room at already an extraordinary amount! To tip more? WTF! See this is what all you tippers get! Don't tip! Don't tip!!

    It is not the responsibility of the customer to pay the wages of the employer! Also, look how messed up places like Chili's are they make The waiters and waitresses give a percentage of their tips to the rest of the staff So...

    They want the person who is paying for the room at already an extraordinary amount! To tip more? WTF! See this is what all you tippers get! Don't tip! Don't tip!!

    It is not the responsibility of the customer to pay the wages of the employer! Also, look how messed up places like Chili's are they make The waiters and waitresses give a percentage of their tips to the rest of the staff So sometimes they owe money at the end of the night!

    Let's make companies give their employees fair wages and that should be the state minimum wage!

  73. Sandra K Guest

    This is a bologna article. Shame on you for publishing this nonsense and giving this industry lobbyist a platform to pass the blame for his bag industry practices to the customers. Shame.

  74. Carlos T Cabral Guest

    No One should tip anywhere,Airline Workers and other service industry don't get tips!...
    If you can't get people to work for you with salary +tips then get out of the business,it works in Europe nobody expects tips because they can live on a salary and should be like that everywhere.
    Just look at the salary of the big chains top managers, maybe they are have share the profits with everyone .

  75. Stella Mick Guest

    I work in a hotel, and I could not agree more. We are making a good wage these days, to clean up the customers mess when they leave. You would not believe what people do just because they are at a hotel. My housekeepers deserve that tip when they have to go into your room that you rented and literally destroyed it. Won't go in to detail, but let your imagination run wild. People are so nasty and disrespectful.

    1. P wils Guest

      Your issue can be solved with a security deposit etc.
      If I leave a tip at a hotel it will be in the form of cash in the room , certainly not at the front desk.
      Mandatory tipping culture in the USA has to stop !!!
      Pay proper salaries

  76. irlecia loving Guest

    I think the workers should be paid more these companies are passing the buck to the consumer instead of showing their workers worth via pay rates. If you are planning to add mandatory graduiaty why not just raise your rates and pay your workers more. Forcing people to tip for better service says your ok with offering subpar service. Also with forced tipping that does not guarantee great service heck the worker knows they are getting it no matter how to the perform.

  77. Larry R Kelley Guest

    Well I do tip. Minimum of $2 per day up to $5. But now they don't refresh your room daily citing pandemic protocol. Which is really a cost saving measure...so I only tip 1 day. Amount depends on how messy I leave it

  78. James Myers Guest

    My sister-in-law works in the hotel industry as a housekeeper in several hotels in Waikiki (Honolulu) Hawaii. With seniority and a good healthcare package included I believe their package rose up to $25/hr. However, after "winning" the wage/healthcare package they are now assigned X-number of rooms that MUST be completed even if it means working beyond their normal shift. She's almost 60 now and has arthritis in her hands, shoulders and joints from over 30...

    My sister-in-law works in the hotel industry as a housekeeper in several hotels in Waikiki (Honolulu) Hawaii. With seniority and a good healthcare package included I believe their package rose up to $25/hr. However, after "winning" the wage/healthcare package they are now assigned X-number of rooms that MUST be completed even if it means working beyond their normal shift. She's almost 60 now and has arthritis in her hands, shoulders and joints from over 30 years of back-breaking work. I am trying to convince her to apply for disability that is most certainly job-related. She paid into it for almost 40 years unlike some folks who don't earn a living but sponge off the government (taxpayers).

  79. Bill Guest

    PAY MORE TO YOUR EMPLOYEES ! DONT EXPECT US TO TAKE UP THE SLACK AS YOU CONTINUE TO RAISE YOUR RATES !

  80. Faye Gipson Guest

    I resent forced tipping. I always tip the minimum when forced. Pay and benefits should be the incentive for employees. I've worked as a waitress for ten years back in the day. But I had medical benefits too. Give people more than the minimum big corporations.

  81. New Jack Guest

    I call BS on this. The majority of properties that I have stayed at during pandemic could have been better run and maintained by robots or trained monkeys. The employees and "Leadership" were lazy with a bad attitude. It is not my fault that you picked a career choice that you did not like or can not afford. Tell Mr CEO to put his money where his mouth is, I hate all this virtue signaling....

    I call BS on this. The majority of properties that I have stayed at during pandemic could have been better run and maintained by robots or trained monkeys. The employees and "Leadership" were lazy with a bad attitude. It is not my fault that you picked a career choice that you did not like or can not afford. Tell Mr CEO to put his money where his mouth is, I hate all this virtue signaling. Hey Mr. CEO how is this for a notion, quit hiring drug addicts and illegals. The US taxpayer has subsided your business model far to long you fat cat loud mouth.

  82. B.S.Wood, CFO Guest

    I am associated with a privately-held company in Europe that owns 28 five-star hotels throughout Europe.
    Our goal is to offer SERVICE to our guests. This does, of course, come at a cost to the guests - but none of them complain. Admittedly, we do not cater to tourists or the average traveler. I always like to recall that phrase "If you have to ask how much our rooms are, you can't afford to...

    I am associated with a privately-held company in Europe that owns 28 five-star hotels throughout Europe.
    Our goal is to offer SERVICE to our guests. This does, of course, come at a cost to the guests - but none of them complain. Admittedly, we do not cater to tourists or the average traveler. I always like to recall that phrase "If you have to ask how much our rooms are, you can't afford to stay here" That's us. Just deal with it.
    Whichever country our hotels are located in we hire only citizens of that country; we do not hire illegals or people with questionable work permits. We pay well above the going rates and offer benefits including profit sharing. Our turnover is virtually zero, and we have a long waiting list. Of course, you are expected to do your job to the absolute best of your ability or you will not be working for us very long. The GM of every hotel is held responsible for everything under his control. Period.
    The problem in the US in the hotel industry is that the majority of hotels hire the bottom sphere of available workers and pay them accordingly. What do you expect? Most employees can't even speak a word of English. OUR front-line employees can speak four to six languages; even our maids speak at least two languages.
    The article mentions things like childcare. We consider personal problems are to be borne by the employee, not the employer! While saying that, any employee having a personal problem is offered any assistance we can give to ease their situation.
    We do not own any hotels in the US, and never will. Generally, in Europe, working at a hotel is a career, not just a job. We encourage our employees to further their job position through free tra ining and advice.
    In the end, our guests are the ones we are beholden to, not the employees. We need both, but it is the guest that pays the bill, thereby creating jobs for employees and profits for the owners. The guy in the article who said he didn't care about guests wouldn't even be given a job cleaning toilets at ANY of our hotels.
    Finally, we do not condone tipping in any form. Guests are welcome to leave tips to anyone, but the hotels themselves will not charge gratuities to the guests. The only exception is for banquets, where a great number of people are involved at a fixed price. We always advise the guest uo front about gratuities for banquet events. One of our long-time guests who threw a birthday party for 500 guests, added $250,000 in gratuities to our regular bill, and further went out of her way to personally thank every employee she could find.
    I have stayed at many US hotels and have not actually enjoyed a single one of them.

  83. Sidney Guest

    I would never tip at check in. How do I know I'm going to receive good service? Thats like asking me to tip my waiter before ordering dinner.

  84. Richard Guest

    Room cleaning gets a ridiculous low wage at this motel 2 dollars a room for long term stay people. 3 dollars a room for single night stay. People trash the rooms with parties at this popular destination in Tennessee. The girls clean some rooms for hours just to sanitize. Remove needles body, body fluids, and spills . No wonder they have a problem I been here 6 months on a job . Sad to see...

    Room cleaning gets a ridiculous low wage at this motel 2 dollars a room for long term stay people. 3 dollars a room for single night stay. People trash the rooms with parties at this popular destination in Tennessee. The girls clean some rooms for hours just to sanitize. Remove needles body, body fluids, and spills . No wonder they have a problem I been here 6 months on a job . Sad to see Owens in new Audi while girl works 10 hours some days for less than 40 dollars. Owners need not be so greedy. Pay the workers.

  85. Kevin Keenan Guest

    Ted Darnall
    CEO of Cheapskate Clown Services Inc.

  86. Ray Galligan Guest

    In the United State there is absolutely no respect for labor in the United States.. this is all because a great bulk of today's fortunes having built on slave labor.. while you go to a country like Germany where they have a true respect for labor you see how much better off people are there.. they have great respect for their trade union system

  87. Loan Guest

    You all needs to pay more for your employees and it's ridiculous for asking the customers to tips first at checking in time, that's not the way to wellcome your guess!!

  88. Mirinda Jackson Guest

    I always tip at hotels; however, now that they no longer clean room, empty trash and I have to constantly ask for clean towels, I don't leave a tip.

  89. Carol Guest

    I wouldn't mind tipping if I was actually receiving services. I just spent a week in three different properties and not one of them did daily housekeeping. There wasn't even coffee pots in 2 of them. No breakfasts. No nothing. And they haven't lowered room rates even though they've not been providing these services. Restart services and I'll tip gladly!

  90. RL Berry Guest

    I just got back from a memorial weekend trip to Ft Bragg and Arlington National Cemetery, tipped at the hotel in Fayetteville did not tip at the Hilton in Tysons Corner, front desk never answered the phone, personally requested that the housekeeper just remove the trash and that we needed new towels, neither happened, they had do not disturb plaque but the back did not have the request for maid service, did care about the quality of our stay

  91. Faye Guest

    If the CEO feel we should tips large. Why not give them a raise and stop being too greedy. It's a shame to judge poor and not judge someone who make lots. All those as CEO need to sit down and shut up.

  92. Jim Guest

    With all the bogus fees attached to hotel bills the last thing I'm going to do is tip. Pay the staff and just make one cost of staying .. . not hammer resort fees .. parking fee.. and whatever next they can conceive.

  93. Plb Guest

    So hotels are now the same as cruise lines. No thanks to blind tipping.

    1. P wills Guest

      Nobody can make you tip.
      Tipping is supposed to be enjoyed in the same way as giving presents - by both parties :)

  94. Jon Guest

    It’s beyond ridiculous. There is a labor shortage because people will not accept an unlivable wage. Besides taxes, “ resort fees,” I find this totally unacceptable. Room service fee, automatic 16% gratuity, plus a tip line was unacceptable to begin with.
    It’s almost like hotels are trying to restructure their level of service to airlines “ add on business class fares. It’s not the same. I’m perfectly ok with day rates for” work away...

    It’s beyond ridiculous. There is a labor shortage because people will not accept an unlivable wage. Besides taxes, “ resort fees,” I find this totally unacceptable. Room service fee, automatic 16% gratuity, plus a tip line was unacceptable to begin with.
    It’s almost like hotels are trying to restructure their level of service to airlines “ add on business class fares. It’s not the same. I’m perfectly ok with day rates for” work away from home .” Excellent concept.
    Hotels need to maintain their brand name, and levels of service without expectations of guests to add another 20 percent to entire experience. Pay your employees fair wages, lose your bonuses and incentives.

  95. Mrs. D. Williams Guest

    This proposal sounds ridiculously anti-social, shamelessly greedy and blatantly foolish. Aren't hotels part of the hospitality industry? How then can hotels become inhospitable, lacking in the most essential area, SERVICE?
    Stop being so self servingly greedy, and develop a living wage with benefits for sustainable staffing. A happy, healthy, well trained workforce would benefit your company's bottom line in the long-term. A return to real hospitality would resound with customers more than the proposed...

    This proposal sounds ridiculously anti-social, shamelessly greedy and blatantly foolish. Aren't hotels part of the hospitality industry? How then can hotels become inhospitable, lacking in the most essential area, SERVICE?
    Stop being so self servingly greedy, and develop a living wage with benefits for sustainable staffing. A happy, healthy, well trained workforce would benefit your company's bottom line in the long-term. A return to real hospitality would resound with customers more than the proposed gouging for tips.

  96. NeilH Guest

    Lucky, to your statement, "rather than saying “just pay everyone a good wage so we don’t have to tip.” That’s not how many parts of our economy have worked for decades, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon." Well, it has been no problem for governments globally to totally change how we former consultant "road warriors" work in a matter of weeks and we're expected to deal with it and adapt - like it or...

    Lucky, to your statement, "rather than saying “just pay everyone a good wage so we don’t have to tip.” That’s not how many parts of our economy have worked for decades, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon." Well, it has been no problem for governments globally to totally change how we former consultant "road warriors" work in a matter of weeks and we're expected to deal with it and adapt - like it or not. I don't see why we cannot take the same opportunity to eliminate this tipping relic of the past which Europe did away with long ago.

  97. Angrybastard Guest

    I suggest throat punching said CEO maybe 50-60 times. STUPIDBITCH!

  98. Douglas Denton Guest

    Tipping would be fine, but when THEY charge $200 plus a night for a room and have the audacity to charge $30 to $50 a day " Resort Fee" then I have to call Bullshit.

  99. Tim Prater Guest

    What I have experienced over the last year staying at hotels is that you get less service for the same price. When they drop the ball on something simple, like shampoo or soap in your room, they blame it on the pandemic.
    There is a shortage of workers, but as a customer I feel like I am not getting the same value. I would never tip in advance. Who does that? Does anyone tip...

    What I have experienced over the last year staying at hotels is that you get less service for the same price. When they drop the ball on something simple, like shampoo or soap in your room, they blame it on the pandemic.
    There is a shortage of workers, but as a customer I feel like I am not getting the same value. I would never tip in advance. Who does that? Does anyone tip before you eat a meal at a restaurant? No. You tip in response to great service. You can’t know that in advance. This idea will not work.

  100. Kenindfw Guest

    Honestly I don’t trust the staff would receive the gratuity.

  101. Gerber Guest

    This guy doesn't know what he's talking about. First of all I have to say, if you pay your workers what there worth, then there's no need to force tipping. I know from experience. Company's that pay their workers what they're worth stay for the longest. Those are just facts. If you take care of your employee's they'll take care of you..

  102. Abuelinho Guest

    I think hotels & restaurants have to wage enough all employees to avoid the necessesity to TIPED by the customer.

    I think hotel/restaurant have to include everything in their prices, and avoid asking for extra charges such as Resort/City Fee, Energy Fee, TIPS, etc, etc, etc.

    In some countries is not possible to "justify" the TIPS in the expenses reports!!!!

  103. TravelinWilly Diamond

    "It’s claimed that raising wages or offering bonuses has “never been the solution” and is “an unsustainable competitive advantage” because “if somebody pays a dollar more then somebody else is going to match that”"

    Poor Ted Darnall should have just tattooed "I am the dumbest person in the world" instead of saying what he said.

    Every single business on earth since the dawn of trade has had to deal with competition. And competition is exactly...

    "It’s claimed that raising wages or offering bonuses has “never been the solution” and is “an unsustainable competitive advantage” because “if somebody pays a dollar more then somebody else is going to match that”"

    Poor Ted Darnall should have just tattooed "I am the dumbest person in the world" instead of saying what he said.

    Every single business on earth since the dawn of trade has had to deal with competition. And competition is exactly what he described.

    The board of directors needs to replace this moron at once.

  104. Patricia Guest

    I do leave a tip when everything is done well but it is not my responsibility to provide staff with a living wage. It is a Corporate responsibility to pay those they hire with a living wage minimally.

    I suggest that the CEO give tips to his staff out of the obscene salary and bonuses he/she gets for sitting in a posh office like an ancient overlord.

  105. Patty Guest

    Tips only make things more complicated. It's more complicated for wait staff at restaurants counting everything up, splitting the tips, gathering, reporting it for taxes, depositing in banks, etc. It's more complicated for customers who are trying to figure out how much and trying to remember "is it this much for a server and this much for my hairdresser?" or "If my server didn't give good service does that mean I should tip them less?"...

    Tips only make things more complicated. It's more complicated for wait staff at restaurants counting everything up, splitting the tips, gathering, reporting it for taxes, depositing in banks, etc. It's more complicated for customers who are trying to figure out how much and trying to remember "is it this much for a server and this much for my hairdresser?" or "If my server didn't give good service does that mean I should tip them less?" What if it was a bad day - would I get paid less as an engineer for a bad day so maybe I should pay the same amount for my server on a bad day? And what about the idea that if service is so bad I should talk to the manager instead of leaving no tip?
    Then there is the idea of the assumption a server made this much money because of tips but didn't receive those tips so now they pay higher taxes.

    And should I pay higher tips knowing that there are others who are paying tips that are too low? Am I responsible for someone not paying what they should?

    We know it's complicated because there are long lists of how much to tip everyone. There are conversations every day on the internet about how much to tip everyone.

    Seriously just make it easy - pay them what they are worth instead of requiring everyone to figure out how much to tip and do all the extra work.

    And if we are paying them what they are worth and doing away with the tipping necessity it doesn't stop someone from tipping them. After all, you could tip the cashier at the grocery store if you wanted to. There is a good chance they aren't making more than the person who cleans your hotel room.

  106. CH Guest

    Funny how people will pay $40+ for a bottle of aged squashed grapes but can't tip the person who cleans up after their drunken debauchery. Instead, they say the hotel should pay more, yet the same people whose heads are tilted back to expose their nose hairs complain when the hotel's services get cut or prices go up because somehow they are entitled to something at a price only they think is fair.

    What you...

    Funny how people will pay $40+ for a bottle of aged squashed grapes but can't tip the person who cleans up after their drunken debauchery. Instead, they say the hotel should pay more, yet the same people whose heads are tilted back to expose their nose hairs complain when the hotel's services get cut or prices go up because somehow they are entitled to something at a price only they think is fair.

    What you consider a livable wage is arbitrary...if you need the latest $1K+ iPhone each and every year and need to dine at the finest restaurants, you definition of "livable" is rather laughable. Income goes up with performance and skills...more you perform and the more skills you pick up, the more marketable you become and the more leverage you have. Raising the minimum wage will cause many employers to simply not consider someone who is at entry level...not worth wasting time trying to train someone who ultimately may not work out....and labor laws simply don't let them take a chance.

    I'm all for raising wages for employees...when their skills and work performance are to the level required and when the government stops supporting and paying people to stay home and/or being irresponsible, then sure, count me in. If you think raising the minimum wage will pull people out of "starvation" you are grossly mistaken.

  107. wish I could travel too Guest

    Asking to pre tip at check in is awful. If the hotel acts like most restaurants who demand "tip outs" for kitchen staff but the money stays in the pocket of the owner / manager. If you are going to tip, do it from the heart, leave a note of gratitude along with your tip. Even better, note the name of the staff and call back to the hotel, or 1-800 number and that staff...

    Asking to pre tip at check in is awful. If the hotel acts like most restaurants who demand "tip outs" for kitchen staff but the money stays in the pocket of the owner / manager. If you are going to tip, do it from the heart, leave a note of gratitude along with your tip. Even better, note the name of the staff and call back to the hotel, or 1-800 number and that staff will be recognized for a good job! When I worked for Marriott reservations, and got credit, I immediately got an email and pat on the back from my boss. It was always a joy to be able to email the hotel with the compliments of a specified staff!

  108. MYSELF Guest

    Is there a list for his hotels, so I canale sure not give him my business.

    I'm a happy and generous tipper but I tip based on above expected service.

    Shock horror that Mr Investor feels everyone else should pay not him.

  109. RJ Guest

    So, if I follow. Raising wages has no effect and won't improve employee morale, but if they get tips they will be very happy!

    Very surprising how the "happy" option involves customers and taxpayers paying his employees. The "sad" option is the company paying their employees.

  110. Riick Guest

    I have a great idea let’s take all those ridiculous drummed up resort charges and turn them into tips for the staff because everyone I know think there bogus

  111. Don't Tip me Guest

    Best solution! Boycott his Hotels. problem solved.

  112. George Hansen Guest

    Not sure why you need your room cleaned daily. I do not wash my linen or towels dailey at home. On the other side, I do think cleaning staff underpaid and tip accordingly, even when requesting to not have room serviced.

  113. ANTOINETTE PARKS Guest

    No I do not agree with tipping in advance for the following reasons:
    My family traveled to Biolxi MS on Father's Day weekend we stayed in The Golden Nugget Casino and let me tell you how nasty our room was after we checked in.
    1. HAIR ALL OVER THE SHOWER WALLS
    2. HAIR ALL OVER THE BATHROOM FLOOR
    3. THE FURNITURE WAS MOLDY
    4. WE CALLED TO HAVE THE ROOM...

    No I do not agree with tipping in advance for the following reasons:
    My family traveled to Biolxi MS on Father's Day weekend we stayed in The Golden Nugget Casino and let me tell you how nasty our room was after we checked in.
    1. HAIR ALL OVER THE SHOWER WALLS
    2. HAIR ALL OVER THE BATHROOM FLOOR
    3. THE FURNITURE WAS MOLDY
    4. WE CALLED TO HAVE THE ROOM RECLEANED WE WAS TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT CLEAN OCCUPIED ROOMS.
    The hair in shower was Blonde Hair and I African American.

  114. Dennis L Schuenemann Guest

    First of all, there is no labor shortage, there is a just a shortage of people acting like people how about paying staff at each hotel with a livable wage? Stop dipping your hands in te company till and have a moderate income for a CEO instead of being a "pig" and taking the lion's share . How about earning your compensation instead of just sitting at a desk. These CEOs and other "company Officers"...

    First of all, there is no labor shortage, there is a just a shortage of people acting like people how about paying staff at each hotel with a livable wage? Stop dipping your hands in te company till and have a moderate income for a CEO instead of being a "pig" and taking the lion's share . How about earning your compensation instead of just sitting at a desk. These CEOs and other "company Officers" need to remember that no work gets done if you just have a bunch of chiefs and no indians. Pay your people their worth. I don't need to stay in any hotel that is funding some selfish and undereducated president of a company. So compensate your staff and stop thinking that market will continue to bear your stupid and ridiculous whims. Otherwise you will run business in the ground.

  115. Rpjr13 Guest

    I usually tip well, for great service and even for okay service, but I will talk to management for poor service. Please pay people for good work and give benefits. Do some profit sharing also, top brass could take a little less and company's also and that would create a better work place and incentive fir workers to do more, which helps customers, company and bottom line. Be smart not greedy!

  116. Renee Stone Guest

    Mr CEO to Darnell is going to get a rude awakening when he loses most of his clients but like he said he doesn't care about the hotel he cares about the land underneath because they're real estate company he thinks that they would be done being money hungry considering his company's very rich he doesn't need the money karma karma karma that's all I got to say

  117. Steven Dufrane Guest

    I just stayed at a few hotels in the last few weeks.....no breakfast (covid), no workout facility (covid) , no daily cleaning of the room (put your own excuse here) and this idiot wants me to tip. So laughable it is beyond comprehension!! Tell you what....stop hiding behind the "covid" excuse and you might have a deal. The gall is mind blowing...it's just not the hotel industry but many industries are using covid as an...

    I just stayed at a few hotels in the last few weeks.....no breakfast (covid), no workout facility (covid) , no daily cleaning of the room (put your own excuse here) and this idiot wants me to tip. So laughable it is beyond comprehension!! Tell you what....stop hiding behind the "covid" excuse and you might have a deal. The gall is mind blowing...it's just not the hotel industry but many industries are using covid as an excuse to maximize profit over customer satisfaction.

  118. Kurt Guest

    Tips? Everywhere you go workers want tips. Jars on counters everywhere. Your job you apllied for has a set wage. If you dont lije it, and want a higher per wage, go to school. Figure it out. Why does a owner of a business or corporation have to pay you a wage to pay your bills? If you applied for X amount, tough beans. Quit complaing. We now have a society of whiners, and attitudes...

    Tips? Everywhere you go workers want tips. Jars on counters everywhere. Your job you apllied for has a set wage. If you dont lije it, and want a higher per wage, go to school. Figure it out. Why does a owner of a business or corporation have to pay you a wage to pay your bills? If you applied for X amount, tough beans. Quit complaing. We now have a society of whiners, and attitudes of me - me - me. This tipping BS is just that. BS. United States is becoming a hand out country. I live in southern calif. Its become a friggin toilet. Glad im leaving.

  119. john Guest

    where is the one mile at a time article on the hilton new breakfast monies that are being given out instead of the actual breakfasts, other travel websites have talked about it, but here it is only crickets....

  120. Bahamagreg Guest

    The Bahamas adds 15% gratuity to everything....they have for 25+ years. You pay even if the service is bad. If you are a tourist and do not know that 15% is added automatically, your server will not tell you hoping that you add another 15-20%. If the hotels start charging gratuity when you check in, how is that an incentive. They already know that you have paid it. A tip is based on actual service......

    The Bahamas adds 15% gratuity to everything....they have for 25+ years. You pay even if the service is bad. If you are a tourist and do not know that 15% is added automatically, your server will not tell you hoping that you add another 15-20%. If the hotels start charging gratuity when you check in, how is that an incentive. They already know that you have paid it. A tip is based on actual service... not expected service. We travel a lot and automatic gratuities only guarantee their income. So raise your labor rates and you have control of their expected performance.

  121. Doug Ricker Guest

    Hotels need to pay team members more and charge less. When Chris Nesetta of Hilton says he wants to increase margins via using less labor, not cleaning rooms until guests check out and finding a use for more automation in the industry he is feathering his own nest. When the stock goes up due to higher earnings his stock gains value. Nasetta thinks he is a wonderful people person, he is not.

    When Blackstone purchased...

    Hotels need to pay team members more and charge less. When Chris Nesetta of Hilton says he wants to increase margins via using less labor, not cleaning rooms until guests check out and finding a use for more automation in the industry he is feathering his own nest. When the stock goes up due to higher earnings his stock gains value. Nasetta thinks he is a wonderful people person, he is not.

    When Blackstone purchased Hilton he became CEO, within 2 years he let go 80% of the corporate staff under the guide of a "reduction in force". Then he stated several years later the best thing he ever did was to terminate 80% of the staff. He kept the other 20% to bridge the time it took to hire and train a new group if team members. How he has the nerve to reduce staff and services now for the benefit of the stockholders is unbelievable. If he is a Catholic he has needs to spend a lot of time in the confessional.

  122. Buck Nekkid Guest

    Tipping in the USA has racist origins. Easily Googled. The head of Fidelity in Boston, Ned Johnson started his own limo co. He raised wages and forbade tipping. He cornered the business sector and the no tipping impulse spread. Riders got used to not tipping. It infected the industry. Drivers made more as tipped employees. The guy opened a hotel and did the same. Income went down. His impulse is right. It made the jobs...

    Tipping in the USA has racist origins. Easily Googled. The head of Fidelity in Boston, Ned Johnson started his own limo co. He raised wages and forbade tipping. He cornered the business sector and the no tipping impulse spread. Riders got used to not tipping. It infected the industry. Drivers made more as tipped employees. The guy opened a hotel and did the same. Income went down. His impulse is right. It made the jobs more consistent, but I missed the odd jackpot night.
    A friend of mine in Australia is a bartender. $25 an hour, negligible tips, but free healthcare!

  123. YULtide Gold

    Who wants to bet that our Ted is a poor tipper?

  124. BM Guest

    Tip!?
    No. Never. We don't even tip now. Why should customers subsidize wages?
    Tip! Ha ha!

  125. Sue Guest

    All those housekeepers and kitchen workers need to dial back their expectations! They are lucky to even be here. They have escaped filthy and squalid conditions to labor in some very lovely establishments. They need to practice a little gratitude!

  126. Vanetta Guest

    How about less profit for the greedy Cos. They are ridiculous expecting the average hotel guests to pay more money.
    PAY THE HOTEL WORKERS MORE MONEY!!
    This is outrageous and unacceptable!!!

  127. Teddy Klein Guest

    This so called CEO should be F I R E D immediately. The UNITED STATES is one of the richest Country's in the world claiming it cares about human rights issues and yet within its own country it permits starvation wages for sweat labor given by human beings so grossly underpaid by billion dollar even trillion dollar corporations and CEOs who could rightly care less about this serious human rights issue. Most politicians could care...

    This so called CEO should be F I R E D immediately. The UNITED STATES is one of the richest Country's in the world claiming it cares about human rights issues and yet within its own country it permits starvation wages for sweat labor given by human beings so grossly underpaid by billion dollar even trillion dollar corporations and CEOs who could rightly care less about this serious human rights issue. Most politicians could care less while they make 6 plus figures of tax dollars doing zero to fix this wage problem because they are bought off by dirty money called donations in the billions. The American way of society is so backwards where the customer is made to feel ashamed for not leaving a tip when what we need is truly to make people feel ashamed and embarrassed that they needed to leave a tip because that employer pays starvation wages, and that customer is made to make up the difference in wage payment shortage. That employer is the embarrassment not the customer. No one should be working in 2021 for SEVEN dollars and hour let alone in the restaurant industry for THREE dollars and your. Oh yes the UNITED STATED says loudly it cares about human rights, (politicians especially),
    when in reality actions speak louder than words, yea lack of action. Minimum wage needs to be twenty dollars and hour not just fifteen with benefits such as profit sharing, medical, dental, etc. Lets see a CEO do their job for seven dollars and hour let alone fifteen dollars and hour oh no that would be starvation wages. Actions speak louder than lying words and yet so does inaction.

  128. Shangster11 Guest

    just pay everyone a good wage so we don’t have to tip.

    1. Miamiorbust Guest

      Or just don’t tip and move on with your life. Nobody is forcing you to improve the staffs’ economic welfare. By the logic of most posters here you should be making a donation to unicef every time you stay at a hotel or buy a cup of coffee. You are buying a service, not fixing the world. And to the people that want CEOs to cut their pay, why should they? We call the mean...

      Or just don’t tip and move on with your life. Nobody is forcing you to improve the staffs’ economic welfare. By the logic of most posters here you should be making a donation to unicef every time you stay at a hotel or buy a cup of coffee. You are buying a service, not fixing the world. And to the people that want CEOs to cut their pay, why should they? We call the mean names as we enable the shift of economic profit from labor to equity holders/management. Your guilt enables their salaries. It’s a completely screwed up system but don’t look to the beneficiaries to fix it. Just stop tipping. 30% of population stops tipping and the system will change (or explode). Sometimes change is messy.

  129. Fabio Guest

    Obliging customers to tip more is, economically, the same as increasing the prices of the services that are being offered.

    The difference between a transparent price increase in the services (with a corresponding increase in wages for those providing them) and "more tipping" is only due to the fiscal regime (whether obligatory tips are included or not in the amount to be taxed for fiscal or social security reasons).

    Tipping, to retain its logic,...

    Obliging customers to tip more is, economically, the same as increasing the prices of the services that are being offered.

    The difference between a transparent price increase in the services (with a corresponding increase in wages for those providing them) and "more tipping" is only due to the fiscal regime (whether obligatory tips are included or not in the amount to be taxed for fiscal or social security reasons).

    Tipping, to retain its logic, must remain voluntary and linked to the quality of the service.

    Improving working conditions for hotel workers may cost money (and require certain price increases), but it is something urgently required in societies that want to have some respect for themselves. The gap between the wealth of those staying in 5-star hotels and the wages of those doing menial jobs in these hotels is shocking.

    For decades, services offered in the Scandinavian countries where labour costs are very high, have been less generous that in other countries.

    Customers will certainly judge the end result with their wallet, but their judgement expressed in this way must be reinforced by the activity of many services that express comments on the quality of the services offered (like OMAT does). In addition, customers should express - in correct and civil ways - their dissatisfaction when something goes wrong.

  130. Michael Michaels Guest

    Why can't the big corporations just pay those who are paid the least a little more?
    How much are this countries CEO's and executives making and take a look at what some big companies pay their board of directors. And theses people are the weathiest in the world.
    Stop asking me to pay the wages of hard working people.

  131. Steve Guest

    While on a recent trip my wife and I were discussing the matter of a tip. We had stayed 3 nights with no service of any kind. "Well, said my wife, how much would we pay someone to clean this room?" It then struck both of us: we were not their employer, and not paying their wage, merely tipping them (for something we didn't receive). It certainly is a conundrum...these employees deserve a living wage,...

    While on a recent trip my wife and I were discussing the matter of a tip. We had stayed 3 nights with no service of any kind. "Well, said my wife, how much would we pay someone to clean this room?" It then struck both of us: we were not their employer, and not paying their wage, merely tipping them (for something we didn't receive). It certainly is a conundrum...these employees deserve a living wage, which greedy companies are now trying to make our responsibility. We will be looking for other options on future trips, and probably traveling less.

    1. CH Guest

      But you did receive something...you received a clean room...you can look at it as having received the service before or after you stayed in the room, but either way, you did receive something. Sounds like you simply justified it in your mind that you were entitled to something divorced from the reality that some faceless person cleaned up before (or after) you arrived...surely you didn't see the person who cleaned up after you because if...

      But you did receive something...you received a clean room...you can look at it as having received the service before or after you stayed in the room, but either way, you did receive something. Sounds like you simply justified it in your mind that you were entitled to something divorced from the reality that some faceless person cleaned up before (or after) you arrived...surely you didn't see the person who cleaned up after you because if you did, you would have to face the fact there is a person doing the work you now find no value in...not even worth tipping.

      Instead, why don't you consider this...why aren't restaurants owners paying their servers minimum wage??? Instead they get a lousy server rate and rely on the tips of patrons to make their ends meet. They stand on their feet all day shuttling food and orders around so you can shovel it down the hatch. Where is the sympathy for them? Are you willing to bare the higher restaurant cost of doing so or is your apathy solely for hotel owners?

  132. Bzubee Guest

    What a concept tip first to see if you get good service.

  133. Doak P Guest

    A tip is giving something extra to someone who did something extra, not just a salary supplement. CEO's, owners, and managers telling their customers to tip more (especially up front) does not create the sort of relationship you really want with your customer. It's talking out of both sides of the mouth. "Our workers work so hard that you need to pay them more because we refuse to."

    There's more to it, though. This is...

    A tip is giving something extra to someone who did something extra, not just a salary supplement. CEO's, owners, and managers telling their customers to tip more (especially up front) does not create the sort of relationship you really want with your customer. It's talking out of both sides of the mouth. "Our workers work so hard that you need to pay them more because we refuse to."

    There's more to it, though. This is a cagey proposal from the CEO. He wants the customer to "tip" more (rather than impose a "service charge") because tips aren't treated as income to the employer by the IRS and, so, are not handled as gross income. A "service charge," however, is considered gross income and must be recorded and handled accordingly.

    But that's not it. HEI likely farms out housekeeping services to a third-party janitorial provider as just about every hotel, office building, retail center, apartment complex, etc. does. About the only folks who directly hire housekeeping any more are homeowners and janitorial service providers. So, HEI doesn't actually pay the workers. HEI pays the workers' employers so that HEI doesn't have to do the payroll or do the (extensive) record-keeping for those workers and the distribution of collected service charges. That complicates the whole "service charge" idea. Want to solve that? Encourage tipping instead. Collect the tips, pass them to the third-party provider, and you're done. At the same time HEI is encouraging tipping, they probably are telling their janitorial providers to keep costs low or lose their contracts.

    The service charge also does not appeal to HEI because it nets them nothing on paper. It's a revenue that is collected only to cover certain expenses (higher wages). On paper, that lowers the profit margin, and that makes the management look bad. Now, HEI could charge a higher service charge and then retain part of it as profit, but that will look bad for PR and morale.

  134. Mary Buford Guest

    People realize now what is in it for them, while the ceo and stock investors receive all the profits. Who wants to be overworked with no quality time with their loved ones and have crappy benefits while being indentured. These companies want you married to the job.

  135. Robert Moore Guest

    If I stay two nights at a hotel, I've spent over 200 hundred dollars for less than 12 hours of sleep.
    If I'm forced to pay tips at the places I stay...I'll stay at home or rent a condo with extended stay perks. I make it a habit to tip the person who clean my room without being forced to do so.
    I'll give up my weekend getaways to different states (where I...

    If I stay two nights at a hotel, I've spent over 200 hundred dollars for less than 12 hours of sleep.
    If I'm forced to pay tips at the places I stay...I'll stay at home or rent a condo with extended stay perks. I make it a habit to tip the person who clean my room without being forced to do so.
    I'll give up my weekend getaways to different states (where I stay at the Hilton's Hotels) and where I spend my money at outside venues, and simply stay at home.
    Pay the people a descent wage and stop trying to pass the buck.

  136. Josephine Guest

    Why doesn't he cut his salary.

  137. Robert D. Coggins Guest

    I think to really include workers they should be included in the profits. Include them in profit sharing quarterly, 401k's, give them stock options yearly. Give them something thats actually increasing as they stay there. Make it a "real job" instead of a throw away job. Just like someone else said these executives don't care about the workers they only care about money and their stock options. So level the field by giving the same...

    I think to really include workers they should be included in the profits. Include them in profit sharing quarterly, 401k's, give them stock options yearly. Give them something thats actually increasing as they stay there. Make it a "real job" instead of a throw away job. Just like someone else said these executives don't care about the workers they only care about money and their stock options. So level the field by giving the same as what you get and I bet people will have loyalty and stay.

  138. L geo Guest

    Wow! Not only have hotels NOT been providing all amenities- waaay past the necessary time at the beginning of the pandemic- now they want patrons to pay more money to help their staffing issues! When I do frequent full service hotels that have all their normal amenities up and running- I will choose to tip based on service received.

  139. Jackie Guest

    I would not stay at a hotel, where you had to tip at check in. Everytime I have stayed at a hotel. The room service was, less desirable. We had to go to The front desk to get towels. And our towels that we had used before were still in our bathroom. So why pay for something you dont get

  140. Richris Guest

    Wow, some hotel contact out the room cleaning service and others hire staff directly. In both cases the hotels room charge enough to pay a fair wage without tipping. I was always tip because it's my choice. If asked to tip I don't. But I'm sure the hotel industry is lobbying for the consumer to pay more only to increase their bottomline.

  141. Chris Landry Guest

    How about if hotels just charged the real room rate and stopped adding on for *resort fees*, wifi, parking, forced gratuities, etc? These high end hotels are acting more and more like low end airlines. For myself, I just choose not to stay at places with these ridiculous fees.

    1. Fabio Guest

      If the fiscal system treated these fees as part of the prices charged, hotels would not recur to these practices.

      A first improvement would be to quote prices that include everything. If I am offered a service that costs $ 100.00; the charge on my credit card MUST be $ 100.00. All taxes must be included in the quoted price (this is mandatory in the EU).

  142. Wensie Guest

    As a frequent traveler, since the COVID-19 cultural shift, I have found hotel service to be almost non-existent . I pay $400.00 a night for a room and I’m offered cold bagged breakfast, while IHOP is open and serving? I don’t get any housekeeping service, I have to beg for clean towels or coffee and cups. Now I’m being to to tip? For what? My room rates aren’t going down but the service is? I have started booking AirBnBs.

  143. Max Wilkerson Guest

    I think this CEO and upper management should cut their salary in half first,give it to the employees in a raise as a penalty for not having a clue.The thought of not giving a raise and begging customers to tip more is an indication to me of a poor work environment.Seems to me that Hilton
    has a detached management structure that pontificates stupid policies
    up on their throne.I travel monthly so you can bet it won't be at a Hilton.

  144. Jocelyn Guest

    This is going to make consumers not go to hotels. I get employees work hard, but giving them tips before they even work sounds backwards. This makes it so they have a choice to give better service to the people that tip higher, instead of working hard for their tips in the end. That's is a horrible way to get people to want to go to hotels

  145. Michael Rath Guest

    I doubt pre-tipping (that’s what I will name it) will improve service for hotel guests. Hotel and Motel rates continue to climb with no appreciable improvement in service.
    Tipping is a reward for extraordinary service, not business as usual. I’ve tried direct tipping at the beginning of my stay and have seen nothing different.
    I also mistrust pooling because I have no idea if the $$ is going to the intended recipient.
    ...

    I doubt pre-tipping (that’s what I will name it) will improve service for hotel guests. Hotel and Motel rates continue to climb with no appreciable improvement in service.
    Tipping is a reward for extraordinary service, not business as usual. I’ve tried direct tipping at the beginning of my stay and have seen nothing different.
    I also mistrust pooling because I have no idea if the $$ is going to the intended recipient.
    I cite the casinos as a perfect example. When I tipped the dealer directly I could discern a difference in service and attitude whereas when pooling came into effect nothing improved.

  146. Nene1980 Guest

    As a major traveler, looks like instead of hotels, I'll be staying at Airbnb's.

  147. JK Guest

    Why don't CEO's take a pay cut and give back to the hard working employees? Let's be honest, no one deserves millions in salary and/or bonuses..especially if they fail.

    See it all to often at that level.

    Stop passing the burden on the public.

  148. KT Guest

    Hotels want the customers to make up for their employee's low wages...and they want to offer less services? They definitely should have to be transparent about these gratuity fees like airlines and it will factor into where I choose to stay. I am not a fan of pre-tipping or set gratuity in general. If I pre-tip or it is a mandatory set fee, what's the incentive to give great customer service? My personal experience with...

    Hotels want the customers to make up for their employee's low wages...and they want to offer less services? They definitely should have to be transparent about these gratuity fees like airlines and it will factor into where I choose to stay. I am not a fan of pre-tipping or set gratuity in general. If I pre-tip or it is a mandatory set fee, what's the incentive to give great customer service? My personal experience with this at restaurants that add this gratuity has been obvious that the servers know they are getting a good tip regardless of the quality of service and they offered mediocre service at best. I know this is not all servers, there are plenty out there that have a great work ethic, but this has been my experience.

  149. Phyllis Sawyer Guest

    How about the hotel industry lower their rates by 10 to 15 percent and allow a day rate to be more that 8 hours. Now adays you check in is 3 pm and check out is 11 am, but we are paying $150 plus hotel tax for not even a 12 hour stay. Please, now you want us the pay your staff and the industry doesn't want to give more time. Every year the check...

    How about the hotel industry lower their rates by 10 to 15 percent and allow a day rate to be more that 8 hours. Now adays you check in is 3 pm and check out is 11 am, but we are paying $150 plus hotel tax for not even a 12 hour stay. Please, now you want us the pay your staff and the industry doesn't want to give more time. Every year the check in and out time gets shorter and the rates higher. Shame on the hotel industry. Keep your little soaps and reduce your rates. I would be happy to help tip my fellow workers. I'm one too. I get it.

  150. Steve D Guest

    I agree 100% on people not carrying cash. As someone who used to do 80 nights a year, my biggest impediment to tipping was not having the cash. I always wished I could add the house keeping tip at check out like I could when cashing out at the bar/restaurant.

  151. AA Guest

    No, no, no, no, and no.
    No more tipping - it is way out of control already.

  152. David Guest

    Perhaps the CEO should cut his pay and let the stockholders give him tips for how well he performs HIS job.

  153. Chris Guest

    I will be going out of my way to avoid giving business to these companies. Wages need to go up and tips need to go away. You don't think that change will happen? Then you are going to need to keep boomers alive a lot longer. This guy is cut from an Apple Bee's table cloth.

  154. Bob Guest

    Screw him and the dogs he works with. He wants to make millions and the guests to pay the saleries out of pocket. Tips are individual gifts for and based on the quality of service. My family will boycott their hotels till that guy is fired!

  155. Bryant k Rolle Guest

    Omg! I usually overtip and I did to the staff in Florida. But I also have never booked a filthy room and I complained to no avail. It was horrible. But the maid did her best to resolve the issues. Wasn't their fault. Tip, tip, tip.

  156. PJoyce Guest

    This will certainly back fire. It also appears to be a lack of compassion on the employers end. I tip very well with every service I utilize and will continue to do so. Looks like I'll have to start looking for other hotels. Pay your employees.

  157. Geo Farinas Guest

    The hotel CEI shud not be such a tightwad, and pay employee more. Better wages, will attract employee. Tips shud be voluntary and not mandatory. Hotels in this CEOs chain are already too expensive. Any Hotel adding mantatory service charge as tips, is a hotel I will not b staying at!

  158. Rita Ort Guest

    How dare you ask for tips when checking in. We recently stay in a Hotel in the OC. As we were leaving our room we saw our Housekeeper and we told her that our room was ready for cleaning. She said "Yes"... When we came back at 7 ish the bed wasn't made, the towels were still on the floor and waste pails were not empty. My husband went to the front desk and was...

    How dare you ask for tips when checking in. We recently stay in a Hotel in the OC. As we were leaving our room we saw our Housekeeper and we told her that our room was ready for cleaning. She said "Yes"... When we came back at 7 ish the bed wasn't made, the towels were still on the floor and waste pails were not empty. My husband went to the front desk and was told our Room is not cleaned every day but every 3rd day because of the Pandemic. We were not told at check in, so why should we tip ahead for non service??????
    Hey we are Retired on a fixed income.... The hotel charges us for parking, why????. If they are in business for awhile shouldn't they have paid their dues already.

  159. Low Voltage Guest

    There's not a labor shortage, there's an excess of spending money.

  160. Jem Guest

    I don't think, we as consumers should have to pay gratuity at check in before hand. Hotel rates have gone up significantly, poor wages should not be passed on to guests. Tipping should be a choice, some room service is terrible, if at all. HEI makes millions, are they cutting CEO wages to help! No everything is on the consumers, who are also struggling, and trying to maybe get away for what ever reason. Companies...

    I don't think, we as consumers should have to pay gratuity at check in before hand. Hotel rates have gone up significantly, poor wages should not be passed on to guests. Tipping should be a choice, some room service is terrible, if at all. HEI makes millions, are they cutting CEO wages to help! No everything is on the consumers, who are also struggling, and trying to maybe get away for what ever reason. Companies get bailout, government compensation for losses. I say absolutely not. I tip my housekeeper, no matter where, I stay or what country. However I still don't feel this should be forced on patrons. And the establishment decides what you pay, and they may not even receive the money. Just my thoughts of big business once again pulling from the consumers, we all have suffered through Covid 19.

  161. John Cositore Guest

    I have an idea. Lower his salary. I've stayed in these hotels which are overpriced just to sleep and the excuse of shortage of help allows them to overcharge and under perform by limiting services like cleaning, making beds and failing to deliver what you otherwise take for granted like clean sheets and towels. What a joke!

  162. Dennis K. Guest

    In Germany the company pays the workers, the guests don't need to "pay" them with tips.

  163. Edgar Miranda Guest

    Who tha F this moron is, he think that I'm going to stay in one of his overpriced P of S hotels, and then pay the salary of his employees with tips, while he makes million in revenue, this kind of persons should not lead anything, they should be working under the sun, listen moron, why you don't start donating your salary to the employees, sell your multimillion house and cars and donate the money,...

    Who tha F this moron is, he think that I'm going to stay in one of his overpriced P of S hotels, and then pay the salary of his employees with tips, while he makes million in revenue, this kind of persons should not lead anything, they should be working under the sun, listen moron, why you don't start donating your salary to the employees, sell your multimillion house and cars and donate the money, I just hope you get fired or the whole company out of business, I stand behind the hard workers and better wages.

  164. eric Guest

    Never understood the whole tipping thing. I pay high room rates and get low service and you expect me to tip more? Maybe you should pay your employees a decent salary and not use every excuse to bump up your own salary which is already too high.
    I normally tip housekeeping every night on multi night stay. Normally ask for a few extra towels and some extra coffee. Sometimes you get this, but many...

    Never understood the whole tipping thing. I pay high room rates and get low service and you expect me to tip more? Maybe you should pay your employees a decent salary and not use every excuse to bump up your own salary which is already too high.
    I normally tip housekeeping every night on multi night stay. Normally ask for a few extra towels and some extra coffee. Sometimes you get this, but many times the room just looked serviced in a very fast (read not so good) way. Or worse not serviced at all. I also experienced the money left next to the bed. So what is the point?
    Tipping was invented so you get more service since some of the payment is after the fact. This changed to “I expect a tip” and why don’t you tip 20-25% ? Or worse for your convenience we added 25% to your bill. At a restaurant when not getting the right service or when the food is bad I just deduct this from the final bill. (leaving 10%). In all my years of travelling I only once gave 0%. They got very angry but the service was extremely bad, the food was not ok and on top of that they serviced some people faster.
    Maybe if you pay your employees a higher salary the service will improve. And If you need to slightly raise the cost of your product I would understand..

  165. Don Guest

    Tell the cheap CEO who makes millions a year to pay a fair wage without tips,then tips would be added bonus

  166. Mike Guest

    Total nonsense. The workers aren't going back to these lousy corporations and who can blame them? Their greedy and out of touch with reality. Will be glad to see them go under. Good riddance!

  167. Josey Guest

    why doesn’t dear Teddy take a salary cut and pass it around as tips to employees. When GM, VP’s, and other execs make Hundreds of thousands of dollars to tell employees how great they are and how much they care and room attendants make $15.00 an hour cleaning 16 rooms or more a day something ain’t right!!

  168. Blaz Guest

    All this is fine if all costs including predetermined tips are included in the rate. That way you can work out a true comparison between hotels. In Australia, the wages are based on minimum rates, and tipping is optional as I believe it should be. There is nothing worse than feeling pressured to pay a huge tip simply because the meal and drinks were already expensive, or even worse, having to pay 15% for crappy service.

  169. PF Guest

    As Europeans from Denmark, we are not used to tipping anywhere. We get a decent salary instead. Should I give gratuity then it must be deserved and to a certain person. Not forced. One of the reasons for not going to the states is all the forced gratuity.

  170. Maima Guest

    I have friends that have been working as housekeeper for over 10 years. They never convince anyone about applying for housekeeping Jobs. They will tell you how hard it is and the paid rate is not good. The Hotels want you to work like and elephant eat like a ants . I don't agree with that Idea of customer paying for a service before receiving the service. Tips is based on customer satisfaction, not CEO...

    I have friends that have been working as housekeeper for over 10 years. They never convince anyone about applying for housekeeping Jobs. They will tell you how hard it is and the paid rate is not good. The Hotels want you to work like and elephant eat like a ants . I don't agree with that Idea of customer paying for a service before receiving the service. Tips is based on customer satisfaction, not CEO suggestions. The hotel industry needs to stop been chape and all about profits, and pay attention to their workers. Happy workers, happy customer, and then happy CEO. My advice take care of your workers. See what make them happy, work on your benefits and be more flexible with your schedule and staff. Without your employees you have no business.

  171. Bart Guest

    The Government can't have it both ways. They can't pay people not to work and then claim that there's a labor shortage. At the same time, companies can't record profits and not provide reasonable accommodations to workers. The article doesn't address the proverbial elephant in the room. With alternative lodging options like Airbnb, hotels must do something. Cutting services and requiring guests to pre-tip just seems to exacerbate an already growing problem. This CEO needs...

    The Government can't have it both ways. They can't pay people not to work and then claim that there's a labor shortage. At the same time, companies can't record profits and not provide reasonable accommodations to workers. The article doesn't address the proverbial elephant in the room. With alternative lodging options like Airbnb, hotels must do something. Cutting services and requiring guests to pre-tip just seems to exacerbate an already growing problem. This CEO needs to take a deep breath and count to 10 before he alienates potential guests and drives this industry into an uncontrollable nose dive.

  172. Andy Diamond

    I’m ok if US hotels are expecting customers to tip, it’s part of the culture and labor law.

    However, it’s not ok if people from the US start tipping in places like Europe, where it’s not part of culture and legislation and by doing so, create such expectations.

  173. Alan Diamond

    Such an American centric article. In many parts of the world tipping is either not a part of the culture or even considered rude. And the service in those countries is often far superior to the US.
    I remember years ago meeting some friends from Ecuador at a Miami beach hotel for breakfast. When the bill arrived I noticed a service charge had been added. I questioned the waitress and she explained that my...

    Such an American centric article. In many parts of the world tipping is either not a part of the culture or even considered rude. And the service in those countries is often far superior to the US.
    I remember years ago meeting some friends from Ecuador at a Miami beach hotel for breakfast. When the bill arrived I noticed a service charge had been added. I questioned the waitress and she explained that my friends had been there a week (one of them was getting medical checkups) and had never left a tip so she decided to simply add one. It was then that I explained that tipping in Ecuador is not common and one should not simply assume a guest is not tipping because they are rude, etc. She was actually quite surprised. I also explained the US culture to my friends.
    It is obviously too difficult to change the American mindset so personally I just avoid traveling to the US. I prefer to not have to bribe someone in order for them to provide good service.

  174. Miamiorbust Guest

    Don’t visit the US and if the you live here enjoy your own community. If you must travel, find another country to visit. The US model is broken with so many mixed messages. There are so many other places offering better quality of life for citizens, service economy workers, and visitors. Boycott US hotels. Labor shortage fixed

  175. T. L. Guest

    What a chicken crap take from the author. All businesses...including hospitality...should pay their employees a fair wage whatever that may be. It's insulting and lazy for an overpaid ceo to offload the opex of the company *he* leads on its customers. Pay your employees and charge what you need to charge for your product or service upfront so we, as customers, can decide whether we want to purchase the goods or services from you. No...

    What a chicken crap take from the author. All businesses...including hospitality...should pay their employees a fair wage whatever that may be. It's insulting and lazy for an overpaid ceo to offload the opex of the company *he* leads on its customers. Pay your employees and charge what you need to charge for your product or service upfront so we, as customers, can decide whether we want to purchase the goods or services from you. No service fees, no resort fees, no nickel and diming. It ain't that hard.

  176. Transa80 Guest

    Darnall is real piece of work, be a leader and a manager and pay your employees instead of sticking it to the customers, or they won't come back......shame on you . Man up, or step aside!

    1. Donald Pezzino Guest

      Tell the cheap CEO who make millions to pay a fair wage,and tipping would be added bonus to employees, the nerve of these people

  177. XYZ Guest

    This freaking moron COO,doesn't know what is he talking about,because he's making thousands of dollars annually and he want if something that is not right for the guests...share your bonuses to your people and you do good for your services

  178. Alfreda Adams Guest

    My tip is that you stop paying CEO's ridiculously large salaries. I'm a former housekeeper for a large hotel chain and they kept us at minimum wage and their wasn't any health insurance to speak of. Long before COVID hotel chains have told their housekeepers not to clean the toilets or the tubs until the customers check out. You could be on a vacation or business stay in the same room for a week and...

    My tip is that you stop paying CEO's ridiculously large salaries. I'm a former housekeeper for a large hotel chain and they kept us at minimum wage and their wasn't any health insurance to speak of. Long before COVID hotel chains have told their housekeepers not to clean the toilets or the tubs until the customers check out. You could be on a vacation or business stay in the same room for a week and have keep looking at that dirt your entire stay. I have been told that if I wanted my bed made I would need to be out of the room by 10:00 a.m. As a hotel housekeeper I had 15 rooms to clean every day. The hotel let me know that it should not take me 8 hours to clean the rooms. I wondered how the others were getting done so quickly and then I discovered that they were not using fresh rags to clean the bathrooms.

  179. Harold Cutter Guest

    Of course blame the customer and have them pay the workers. Businesses need to pay workers a decent wage and let customers tip WHEN APPROPRIATE for great service. End of discussion!!!

  180. Gins Mcgrath Guest

    Agree 100% your post. Fire Ted Darnall that would be the biggest tip of all time. Remove him "asap!" Guy is unhinged. He and Biden are one in the same!

  181. bob Guest

    Better idea.

    CEOs and senior executives stop shafting the company with ridiculous stock options, bonuses when the company is losing money and exit packages for screwing up their one job.

    I work for a hospital and we all know hospitals lost a lot of $$$ during the pandemic. My hospital did not do any rounds of layoffs or cut our salaries. While there were no bonuses or pay increases even though we worked our...

    Better idea.

    CEOs and senior executives stop shafting the company with ridiculous stock options, bonuses when the company is losing money and exit packages for screwing up their one job.

    I work for a hospital and we all know hospitals lost a lot of $$$ during the pandemic. My hospital did not do any rounds of layoffs or cut our salaries. While there were no bonuses or pay increases even though we worked our behinds off for the last 14 months. Instead they did the unheard of thing. The CEO and top execs and senior managers took pay cuts and no bonuses. Other companies should give that a try. CEOs not getting their 19th house in the french Riviera this year won't kill them.

  182. Wilhelm Guest

    The US is the only developed economy with such an extreme tipping culture. It’s pretty annoying to be honest - most other places, the practice is to tip at most 10%, and that’s only for exceptional service. The solution is actually very simple: stop paying poverty wages.

    One more thing: I always withdraw some cash at the airport when I arrive in a new country. The ATM always dispenses big bills - $20 is...

    The US is the only developed economy with such an extreme tipping culture. It’s pretty annoying to be honest - most other places, the practice is to tip at most 10%, and that’s only for exceptional service. The solution is actually very simple: stop paying poverty wages.

    One more thing: I always withdraw some cash at the airport when I arrive in a new country. The ATM always dispenses big bills - $20 is often the smallest denomination. There is no way I am giving a bell boy $20 to bring my bags to the room. To avoid embarrassment, I actively prevent them from handling my bags.

    1. Alan Diamond

      I do the same and also try my best to not have them show me to my room and explain how to use a TV remote!

  183. SullyofDoha Guest

    Ted Darnell seems like a real piece of work!
    https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Employee-Review-HEI-Hotels-and-Resorts-RVW14837498.htm
    The idea of extra tipping rather than increase staff salaries is so self serving to the company owners. Keep the wages down and they can keep the staff pension earnings down too.

  184. Bob Guest

    Wake up time...pay your employees and quit asking me to pick up your slack. You have no problem raising your rates while not paying your employees. Chicken's are coming home to roost!

  185. guisun Diamond

    I was at Doubletree recently, and there was no housekeeping. If I wanted, I would have to reserve 24 hours before. There was no trash collection, there was no towel replacement. I had to take out the trash for them and get fresh towels at the lobby. Now, I get it, it was covid, so service was cut, so there was not a peep from me. But if they wanted me to charge a pre-...

    I was at Doubletree recently, and there was no housekeeping. If I wanted, I would have to reserve 24 hours before. There was no trash collection, there was no towel replacement. I had to take out the trash for them and get fresh towels at the lobby. Now, I get it, it was covid, so service was cut, so there was not a peep from me. But if they wanted me to charge a pre- tip I would be really upset. We tip because we appreciate the hard work and good service. It is hard to tip when they cut services. Not sure what exactly what I'm tipping for. 5 days stay and took towels to the lobby to be exchanged twice, and had to take out my own trash 3 times. I should tip myself for that. Also I tipped their restaurant tip generously, even though they skimped on breakfast. They seemed to have a shortage on housekeeping staff, but they had an overabundance of waitress/waiter in the restaurant, even though there weren't that many people, it was always empty.

  186. D Hammond Guest

    The term tip stood for "To insure prompt service" This hospitality group wants to use gratiities to enhance their bottom line. They will call it a service fee and it will not go to the employees. Another scam like resort fees.

  187. jswjr New Member

    This must be a joke. Many hotels are offering less service and this guy is talking about leaving tips? Just increase the wages of your employees. I normally leave tips when I'm saying at a hotel but I don't like being told I have to. I will avoid hotels that try to force that on me

  188. Kat Johnson Guest

    Hotels: "we want more money. Give the people who run our business less, and gouge our customers."
    Also Hotels: "why does everyone think AITA?"

  189. Wise Guest

    I wish everyone would see what he just said, my opinion is the dipstick and all other corporate executives should take a pay cut or better yet maybe the government should step in and regulate how much they make cap it at 600,000 total , that includes stock and bonuses. Maybe then the would be more money for employees, it's not to difficult to make a portfolio look good cut hours raise rates .

  190. grimreaper Guest

    Never tipped at a basic hotel, don't plan on tipping.
    Workers get paid a wage and they are not considered a tip employee

  191. saumyaranjan Guest

    Tipping is a vile "culture" and should be abolished, in stead of making a minimum tip level mandatory. The employers should be paying the salary of the workers from the revenue they generate. That burden should not fall on the customer.

  192. Niki Guest

    Utter nonsense
    I should not have to make up for low wages when I go out to eat or stay at a hotel. No. I don't need to tip every person I come into contact with and everyone behind the scenes too. I don't have to make up for low wages while owners and CEOs are millionaires. I already get charged "resort fees" this summer for a hotel room in Portland. I'm sure it's...

    Utter nonsense
    I should not have to make up for low wages when I go out to eat or stay at a hotel. No. I don't need to tip every person I come into contact with and everyone behind the scenes too. I don't have to make up for low wages while owners and CEOs are millionaires. I already get charged "resort fees" this summer for a hotel room in Portland. I'm sure it's lovely, but it's not a resort. Vegas is starting to add fees to pay for additional electricity. I kid you not. And they began the whole "resort fees" BS that doubles the price of some hotel rooms.

    I'm a strong tipper...20% + at restaurants. I leave cash in hotel rooms. I tip 30% at nail salons. And I am a preschool teacher. I'm not flush with cash. I do it for what tipping originally was for: good service rendered. And it's my choice. If some hotels and restaurants did this blanket BS, took away my choice, I would start using Air B&Bs and opt for restaurants that continue to give choice. I don't think I'm alone. Do hotels want to simply fold to AirB&Bs? They are already way more appealing.

  193. Alan Meyer Guest

    Well this is simple. I tip based on service provided. Good service good tip poor service is either poor or no tip. If a certain hotel group makes it mandatory then there is a very simple answer. My money is still green and will spend elsewhere

  194. Mark Guest

    I’m sorry, with the out of control resort fees being charged for areas of the hotel that I NEVER USE, especially when some amenities I want to use are not even available. As far as I’m concerned, turn the current RESORT FEES into an employee fund to be distributed based on hours worked.

  195. Ross Guest

    Tipping is a built in method to make the consumer pay for something else that businesses don't want to. Taxes going up infuriates so many consumers because businesses throw that on our cost and blame the government. They should be eating that cost, it's their business. Restaurants don't want to pay a liveable wage, so we all pay for their own labor. It's absolutely awkward and absurd. In the world of hotels, even $100/night that...

    Tipping is a built in method to make the consumer pay for something else that businesses don't want to. Taxes going up infuriates so many consumers because businesses throw that on our cost and blame the government. They should be eating that cost, it's their business. Restaurants don't want to pay a liveable wage, so we all pay for their own labor. It's absolutely awkward and absurd. In the world of hotels, even $100/night that cost and be cut. The vast majority of all my business trip hotel stays I've taken a shower, turned on some lights, had the TV on at night and slept in a bed. That cost is more than effective for paying someone to spend 10 minutes on my room when I leave wiping a surface, taking the blankets and towels, maybe vacuum and fold the toilet paper. How can these billion dollar industries not afford to pay a wage that won't require tipping?

  196. Pat Guest

    First off, CEO'S Get lots of bonus money every year, so instead of giving them so much, give your employees decent wages and wage increases. Without your employees you have nothing! It's not the responsibility of the customer to pay your employees a decent living, it's yours! It's disgusting to hear that management gets bonuses of 25 or 40 million dollars a year, yet you want the customers to tip more rather than increase wages...

    First off, CEO'S Get lots of bonus money every year, so instead of giving them so much, give your employees decent wages and wage increases. Without your employees you have nothing! It's not the responsibility of the customer to pay your employees a decent living, it's yours! It's disgusting to hear that management gets bonuses of 25 or 40 million dollars a year, yet you want the customers to tip more rather than increase wages for your employees. It shows that your company doesn't care about its employees, only about the upper management level and CEO'S increasing their wealth to insane amounts while their employees can't live on what they are paid.

  197. Colin Saunders Guest

    Thanks for the article. As for tipping at check in. Are you kidding? A tip should be earned. Service everywhere has become terrible. I'll make sure to stay away from all IHG properties.

  198. Ted Guest

    So how much does this CEO make? It is amazing to me that people who make millions pushing paper an blowing hot air are always telling their workers that they don’t need a raise to make a livable wage.

  199. Fs Guest

    "It’s claimed that raising wages or offering bonuses has “never been the solution” and is “an unsustainable competitive advantage” because “if somebody pays a dollar more then somebody else is going to match that”

    Unless this guy wants the hotels to be like OPEC. This is how capitalism works.

  200. Gary Leneway Guest

    Maybe the CEO should work for minium wage and if he does a good job he could make money off tips

  201. Indopithecus Guest

    A 'tip' is supposed to be for exceptional service. If it is routine it becomes meaningless. Does this cretin of a CEO not understand that? Does he think that customers are as stupid as he is? I mean, seriously. And, in contrast to his minimum wage staff, what does he make annually in salary and bonuses? Is his contribution to the company worth more than that of a housekeeper? Probably not. What a pathetic strategy.

    1. Alan Diamond

      In the USA a tip stopped being for exceptional service decades ago. Even the tax code was rewritten such that restaurant workers have a percent of their bills automatically added to their wage statements. This was done because many failed to report tips and/or under report tips but the message was clear. Tips are a regular expected portion of their income.

  202. Teresa Shaw Guest

    We visited Rapid City in June - where the hotels were GOUGING guests and not even providing halfway decent breakfast options.
    Yes, they have staffing issues because people have figured out they are only filling the stockholders pockets.

    Serves them right. Raise wages to a living wage and treat them well.

  203. Manuel Granados Guest

    It's their hotel they should pay him higher wages don't depend on us guests it's their company if you're not paying them enough it's their problem I always tip at least 20% sometimes more for a meal I think it's fair before the pandemic after the pandemic I t went to 30% to help the people out

  204. Steve GrangerWe Guest

    I don't think the whole world needs a tip. I never got a tip in 40 years of working . The public does not need to pay tips for someone to make a fair wage .

  205. James Mager Guest

    If you're 18 or older. you don't need someone that's paid less than $8 an hour to pick up after you. You're quite able to do it yourself....

  206. Mary singh Guest

    This is BS paying people a good pay stop it 20hrs health care I am not tipped no one at the hotel no one tipped me at my job

  207. RG Guest

    Tipping is just a shameless way for employers to be off the hook and dodge their responsibilities, keeping their employees on miserable incomes. Once a salary is set, that"s it: they are liable to pay it. But with tips, they can always blame the customers' "lack of generosity" for their employees' misfortune. It infuriates me how us consumers have let ourselves be manipulated by these greedy and devious businesses to transfer more and more of...

    Tipping is just a shameless way for employers to be off the hook and dodge their responsibilities, keeping their employees on miserable incomes. Once a salary is set, that"s it: they are liable to pay it. But with tips, they can always blame the customers' "lack of generosity" for their employees' misfortune. It infuriates me how us consumers have let ourselves be manipulated by these greedy and devious businesses to transfer more and more of their responsibility to us. Not long ago, 10% was a reasonable tip: suddenly, it went up to 12%, 15%, 18% and now, 20-25% is customary??? Why? Where did that "custom" come from? And guess what: everyone works hard! Get the service industry to pay the salaries their employees deserve!

  208. Traveler Jeff Guest

    * attract more and better employees, (not customers)

  209. Traveler Jeff Guest

    I am completely opposed to the concept of paying a tip to hotel management, which is what is really being suggested, at check-in. I tip members of the hotel staff quite well even if they do their most basic job. They are often underpaid, overworked, and already at the mercy of many petty tyrants. Guest tips to the cleaning staff, bartenders, waiters, valets, etc. are not currently shared with the managers, the lawn staff, and...

    I am completely opposed to the concept of paying a tip to hotel management, which is what is really being suggested, at check-in. I tip members of the hotel staff quite well even if they do their most basic job. They are often underpaid, overworked, and already at the mercy of many petty tyrants. Guest tips to the cleaning staff, bartenders, waiters, valets, etc. are not currently shared with the managers, the lawn staff, and the maintenance team. Nor should they be as is effectively being proposed. Unless you can show that you, your COO, CFO, and your GC are working for minimum wage it is pure BS to claim that higher wages aren't necessary to attract more and better customers.

  210. James Mager Guest

    The ass kissing secretaries with the highest positions are always the last people to fight for higher wages...Everyone deserves better pay and more respect....

  211. Edward Brown II Guest

    Typical management comment. He is not taking a reduction in salary , but He wants other people to pay the hired help so he can keep bottom line fat for his raise. Glad this info came out because I will Inquire about these so called built in gratuities. They pay these folks minimum wage anyway. Now he knows why hotel employees don't think much of their employers. Always trying to pass the buck. Smh

  212. iamhere Guest

    As you said we have seen service fees in other countries. However, in those countries it is a standard amount across all hotels, for example. In some countries it is 10% service and 6-10% VAT. It depends. The point is that the hotels do not have the liberty to choose. You also have options inside apps like IHG and Marriott to check for inclusive prices or not. The point is not whether the price showing...

    As you said we have seen service fees in other countries. However, in those countries it is a standard amount across all hotels, for example. In some countries it is 10% service and 6-10% VAT. It depends. The point is that the hotels do not have the liberty to choose. You also have options inside apps like IHG and Marriott to check for inclusive prices or not. The point is not whether the price showing is inclusive. The point is regulating how it's done so hotels don't take advantage or pressure the customer.

  213. Kristel Buck Guest

    A gratuity or tips is; TO INSURE PROMPT SERVICE. Now if you're charging me before I have received a service.... That's a charge and you need to pay your STAFF WHAT THERE WORTH and I can tip them accordingly to the service I received.

  214. Alexander Guest

    If this is the attitude of this hotel chain's CEO, then I suggest he takes less of his already inflated income and provides better for the people who work for his company. I have already switched about 50 percent of my stays to Airbnb's which cost the same and have more space and amenities. The attitude the CEO is taking will lead me to abandon hotels much more often for Airbnb's. Then, maybe, some of...

    If this is the attitude of this hotel chain's CEO, then I suggest he takes less of his already inflated income and provides better for the people who work for his company. I have already switched about 50 percent of my stays to Airbnb's which cost the same and have more space and amenities. The attitude the CEO is taking will lead me to abandon hotels much more often for Airbnb's. Then, maybe, some of those cleaning folks will get paid directly to clean Airbnb's and make more money than working for the hotel industry. Also, I know the hotel industry is lobbying against Airbnb's all over the country so there is also a very solid chance that I will simply choose to not stay places where I can't get an Airbnb AND where hotels are asking customers for tips.

  215. Carmenf Guest

    Hotels and restaurants need to pay their workers a minimum wage ($15 per hour?) and let guests tip the workers according to the services they provide. Renting a hotel room for $379 nightly with a continental breakfast does not warrant me paying extra on my credit card to tip the worker.

  216. BF Guest

    Tipping the person who carries your bags, great. Tipping the restaurant waiter or waitress, fine. Tipping the maid? Most do as little as possible with rooms now, including not even bothering to clean...towels, they want us to hang them up for the duration of our stay instead of using new ones each day. When you are paying $100 a night for a room, you expect some minimum level of service, like at least bringing a...

    Tipping the person who carries your bags, great. Tipping the restaurant waiter or waitress, fine. Tipping the maid? Most do as little as possible with rooms now, including not even bothering to clean...towels, they want us to hang them up for the duration of our stay instead of using new ones each day. When you are paying $100 a night for a room, you expect some minimum level of service, like at least bringing a liner for the ice bucket when asked. Ours was missing last trip we took. It took three pbone calls and an bour and a half to get an ice bucket liner...the same ice bucket liner the maid should have left in the room in the first place.

  217. James Mager Guest

    If you're not willing to stop working (everyone) to bring this company to the table to negotiate actual living wages, then shut up and do what they're demanding ... The company is horrible. But if your aren't willing to fight, then work your ass off.

  218. Tim Pedregon Guest

    I travel frequently, over 250 nights in the past year, mainly for business. I also travel for pleasure with stays all over the United States and Mexico.

    The excuse that covid is impacting your ability to offer a hot breakfast and coffee is infuriating. I am now making a list of hotels that offer unacceptable breakfast options and not staying at these locations.

    As a business traveler, I would prefer to see this increased...

    I travel frequently, over 250 nights in the past year, mainly for business. I also travel for pleasure with stays all over the United States and Mexico.

    The excuse that covid is impacting your ability to offer a hot breakfast and coffee is infuriating. I am now making a list of hotels that offer unacceptable breakfast options and not staying at these locations.

    As a business traveler, I would prefer to see this increased cost in a line item and not a tip as my company would not find it acceptable for tipping for hotel stays.

  219. Seriously? Guest

    Seriously...what is with these giant conglomerates asking people to donate and tip? You are the millionaires not us. Greedy bastards.

  220. Larry Cash Guest

    I just spent 6 days @ the double tree downtown San Antonio had to clean my own room every day front was the worse why should I give them a tip you think the hotel gave me a discount NO

  221. SFGenie Guest

    Hey Mr. Hotel CEO - how about you take the daily resort fee that you charge your hotel guests and distribute it amongst your employees? I bet that would add up to quite a bit of money and then you wouldn't have to raise their wages. What a novel concept, wouldn't you say?

  222. Judy Welter Guest

    Have the CEO donate more of his money to hotels. He would feel better about it.

  223. Nutmeg Guest

    Try paying your workers more! People shouldn't stay in your motels...your cheap!

  224. John Stanczak Guest

    Screw him, pay him 60k a year and use the remaining parts of his pay for living wages to the hotel workers...not like the Hyatt and Marriott charge what Motel 6 gets night...

  225. Lukas Member

    Am I the only one who thinks that ”we’ll not service your room due to covid (and post-covid)” and ”tip more for housekeepers” doesn’t really go together? I get that housekeepers are probably way underpaid, but why would you tip for a service that wasn’t provided? I would never tip a barber I didn’t go to (or a bellhop I didn’t use). If you want guests to tip more, provide more - and/or better - services.

  226. Stanley Guest

    Tipping should be voluntary. It should be based on how good the service was. Why should it be mandatory? I have worked in the service industry before, so I believe it should work both ways. Customers and employees both need to respect one another and then good tips should be a result of that.

    So, is Lucky implying that everyone in this industry is so hardworking? I have been to hotels rooms where it...

    Tipping should be voluntary. It should be based on how good the service was. Why should it be mandatory? I have worked in the service industry before, so I believe it should work both ways. Customers and employees both need to respect one another and then good tips should be a result of that.

    So, is Lucky implying that everyone in this industry is so hardworking? I have been to hotels rooms where it was still dirty and when you called front desk and they refused to change your room or have housekeeping properly clean your room in a rude manner. “You should have told us when you checked in.” ‘Yes, I called you immediately within two minutes of coming into my room.’ “Well, you did not tell us about it at check in and you are already in the room.” ‘How can I know what the room will be like at check in?’ So, should you still tip? Is everyone still so hardworking?

    What about the waitress who never bought any water? She only took your orders. Never came to check on your table. Never got you any water even after repeatedly asking her nicely. My friend and I only got some water after the busboy was nice to help out. Then, she had some real audacity to say “don’t forget the tip!”

    What about the servers who only give good service to those who they perceive are good tippers? Also, what about those servers who are racist? Definitely experienced racism from a white waitress who did not want to do anything with a table full of Asian Americans.

    So, no, I agree with the other comments about how tipping should be voluntary. It should be based on service. Terrible or non-existent service: at your own discretion. Average service: 15 percent. Good service: 20 percent. Excellent service: 25-35 percent.

    Also, in so many other parts of the world, employers pay much better wages based on their local societies where people can live comfortably enough if not more.

  227. Richard Rossi Guest

    My traveling during the height of the pandemic slowed and since my vaccine in April, staying at hotels 10 nights a month. I rarely tip now as the rooms are not cleaned great and do not care for requesting service. I am all for tipping and like to see better service.

  228. Gregory Johnson Guest

    I'm generally a VERY GOOD tipper, having once been in tipped jobs. That being said, I disagree with pre tipping and pool tipping and giving the tips added to the service such as Uber rides. I prefer handing the personal tip not necessarily directly but placed in the room, at the table in a restaurant, to the bellman and the Uber driver in cash. It's more welcome that way in my opinion.

  229. Jason Crawford Guest

    Is this guy serious? I am making less yet he wants me to tip more? Take a hike bud.

  230. MrReasonable Guest

    Why do I have to do management's job for them? How in the world can I evaluate an employee I know little about.

    Suppose my room is not made up well, Maybe it is because the employee is spending his time on the phone chatting up his new girl friend. Or maybe three people called in sick today and he is working his butt off, but simply has not got to my room yet....

    Why do I have to do management's job for them? How in the world can I evaluate an employee I know little about.

    Suppose my room is not made up well, Maybe it is because the employee is spending his time on the phone chatting up his new girl friend. Or maybe three people called in sick today and he is working his butt off, but simply has not got to my room yet. How I am supposed to know which is true. I can't know. That is management's job.

    My advice to HH management is "DO YOUR JOB. DON'T DEMAND THE CUSTOMERS DO IT FOR YOU".

  231. Michael Neiswender Guest

    I am totally down with this. Yes there's a long drawn-out conversation to be had about whether cheapskate hotels should be paying their people more but in the end I always think of this: I would thoughtlessly drop a good size bill on the bar for somebody who did nothing more than hand me a drink. Why would I not give some serious cash to the person who's making my sheets up, changing my towels,...

    I am totally down with this. Yes there's a long drawn-out conversation to be had about whether cheapskate hotels should be paying their people more but in the end I always think of this: I would thoughtlessly drop a good size bill on the bar for somebody who did nothing more than hand me a drink. Why would I not give some serious cash to the person who's making my sheets up, changing my towels, cleaning my toilet and vacuuming my room? I actually think it's a bit of a caste system where we don't think of compensating for menial labor like room cleaning but we do for Restaurant and bar service. So a lot of us are not that different from the hotel ownership. So come on people, let's show some courtesy and generosity. If you can afford to travel you can afford to tip your housekeeper.

  232. Scott chilcote Guest

    When the government stops the handouts, people will go back to work. I have traveled most of my life. I never tip at hotels. Most of the housekeeping employees don't do their jobs, so why tip? Just encouraging substandard performance.
    Just about every hotel room in this country has glaring maintenance issues - lights that don't work, window units not working, drains that are not working, toilets running, plumbing leaking, etc. Housekeeping is in...

    When the government stops the handouts, people will go back to work. I have traveled most of my life. I never tip at hotels. Most of the housekeeping employees don't do their jobs, so why tip? Just encouraging substandard performance.
    Just about every hotel room in this country has glaring maintenance issues - lights that don't work, window units not working, drains that are not working, toilets running, plumbing leaking, etc. Housekeeping is in these rooms everyday and ignore the issues. It is their job to report the issues to maintenance. More pay is not the solution.

  233. Gary Jeski Guest

    This guy needs to be fired ASAP! And give him nothing as the door hits his ass on the way out. Like to know how much more he will get in bonus money if this carries through??? Money and Greed!!!!
    This guy must have watched Dumb & Dummer to many times.
    It is so said, just said! I will leave you with this, can you imagine working for him? Easy to say Nope!

  234. Dr Rodrigues Pereira Guest

    Labor shortage ??? How is that possible, when só many businesses went out of business ? Where did those unemployed people go to worlk at ? Furthermore, if you dig into the world "tip" (gratification) you ought to know that it means a particular compensation for some particular services. How and why on Earth should one be forced to do it beforehand ???

  235. Pamela Zahringer Guest

    I think people will start to use hotel less, if this becomes the new model of charging more and offering less services. I'd be more inclined to utilize Vrbo. I've been unimpressed with most Hotel chains, and that was before the pandemic. I hope they come up with a better solution.

  236. Chris Guest

    The CEO of one major hotel investment group.

    Is this really "major"?

  237. Shirley Virgil Guest

    The people owning these companies are billionaires, their ceo's multi millionaires. Stop the greed and pay a decent wage. Let the tip come from the company. People on vacation work hard a year or more to take vacation

  238. Mary reden Guest

    Corporations are corrupt

  239. T Ray Guest

    TIP means TO ENSURE PROMPTNESS. Tipping up front is premature and tipping at check out, is not a given. Depends only on service received.

  240. Xxx Guest

    B&Bs, here we come! That's my tip!

  241. JoAnn Guest

    I think he should be fired. Or at the very least take a pay cut so he can pay his workers that make his property is Success a better wage. People hate to be forced to tip. We tip on our own based on the service we get. That's an incentive for the worker to give better service so they get a better tip. It's the employer's job to pay a decent wage to his...

    I think he should be fired. Or at the very least take a pay cut so he can pay his workers that make his property is Success a better wage. People hate to be forced to tip. We tip on our own based on the service we get. That's an incentive for the worker to give better service so they get a better tip. It's the employer's job to pay a decent wage to his workers. We are now in an age where we appreciate our employees that helped to make our company a success not pawning off what you should be paying them and make the customer pay them for working for you. He obviously doesn't value his employees enough and since they are the ones that make the company a success and he doesn't realize that he needs to be replaced. The old adage happy workers make happy customers still Rings true.

  242. Richard Dudley Guest

    Hotel rates are thru the roof, reduced room cleanings on multiple days, horrible breakfasts, no dinner or bars open you should be able to triple their pay.

  243. James Guest

    There is no way I’d pre approve a tip on check in. On check out sure, it’s convenient to out tips on a card but to prepay a gratuity for good/excellent service before seeing the service? No thanks.

    Miami is a great example. Mandatory 18% (I think, it’s been a while since I visited) on restaurant/bar bills and often just mediocre service.

  244. Johnny Guest

    Hotel keep raising their prices so why should I have to tip more? Luxury hotels are now charging resort fees another add on.. Giving me less for more will not get me to stay at a hotel. I have stayed over 1000 nights at a major hotel chain and now they are not giving any upgrades. Hotels are going in the wrong direction.

  245. Ed Guest

    > The hotel industry is dealing with a labor shortage, as is so much of the economy in the United States

    There is no labor shortage. Just because no one wants to work for poverty wages doesn't mean there aren't workers. Pay them.

  246. John Aramanda Guest

    This was the same attitude with the Kmart / Sears top banana. Real estate is worth a lot more now than when it was first purchased. Case in point; Kmart HQ Troy, Michigan on the NW corner of Coolidge street and Big Beaver (16 mile rd) Across the street is Somerset Mall and Nordstrom was on the other corner. Oakland County.

  247. Deborah Cappucci Guest

    Given the high rates for hotels per night, I think tips should be service related. Many times there is not a service provided, other than cleaning a room each time a customer leaves.

  248. Patricia Glenn Guest

    I really like to have services rendered before I tip.. I might add I'm a server so I firmly believe in tipping .. But uh I don't think I agree with this request ..

  249. Charly Guest

    Why don’t you just pay more rather than put your burden on the customer. Thank you soooo much and god bless your heart!

  250. Ghostrider5408 Guest

    As someone that has been in and around the industry for 45 years building/reflagging the greatest downfall has been the advent of "equity capital" and the race to the bottom line. I have seen some things down that would make one shiver. I have seen "names withheld of course" spray paint over duck taped exterior construction joints, known water issues ignored, structural issues glossed over and these are on well know properties / operators /...

    As someone that has been in and around the industry for 45 years building/reflagging the greatest downfall has been the advent of "equity capital" and the race to the bottom line. I have seen some things down that would make one shiver. I have seen "names withheld of course" spray paint over duck taped exterior construction joints, known water issues ignored, structural issues glossed over and these are on well know properties / operators / investment corp. They just don't care as "XX" described. I once held a moisture meter up against a hotel exterior ir "pegged" what did the management company say "Paint it". we walked away from that project I would never have allowed my workers to stay in that property.

    This latest move should not surprise anyone at all these operators will do anything not to have to really invest in people. While I have enjoyed a great life successful business we always paid above average wages and I firmly believe the best way to begin is set a $15.00 an hour minimum nation wage, that would be a start. This whole mess we call Covid 19 is no where near over the long term ramifications are only beginning.

  251. Cheap Guest

    I never tip. Never. I'm cheap. Don't like it? Find another job. Can't find another job, better do the one you have better thelan the next applicant.

  252. Larry Guest

    Do you want to stay at hotels that pay poor wages and expect the customer to cover their behavior? How will this attract employees at the interview "you may be able to make more money and if you can't don't blame me it is the customer". That would lead to a lot of bad service. Pay them enough to live and have a life and we will still tip.

  253. DrVetlab Guest

    I have been pretty loyal to a particular hotel brand for many years. Now that I’ve started traveling again i have noticed that daily cleaning is no longer automatic, due to Covid they say. Sorry guys. I’m not buying it based on other activity around the property like staff not masking up. Have the room rates dropped? Nada

  254. Tom Smith Guest

    BAN TIPPING. BAN SERVICE CHARGES.
    Make it illegal. Instead...

    Raises prices to cover fair wages. That way everyone pays a bit more. And the job becomes more valuable so you get better employees, aka better service. A mandatory service charge is just part of the price... just put it in there.

    Tipping, rather over tipping, has become this runaway train. Raise prices as needed for better wages and ban tipping, service charges, hotel...

    BAN TIPPING. BAN SERVICE CHARGES.
    Make it illegal. Instead...

    Raises prices to cover fair wages. That way everyone pays a bit more. And the job becomes more valuable so you get better employees, aka better service. A mandatory service charge is just part of the price... just put it in there.

    Tipping, rather over tipping, has become this runaway train. Raise prices as needed for better wages and ban tipping, service charges, hotel charges, destination charges, resort fees, _____ fees... make the price the price.

    Simple

  255. Mike Monahan Guest

    Supposedly you believe in the “free market”. Well, the market is telling you that if you need labor to provide your service, you need to pay the market clearing rate. Otherwise your enterprise can go out of business and other companies will figure out how to provide the service and make money. Million dollar CEO’s that cannot figure this out are not worth the money they are being paid and deserve to be unemployed.

  256. Mikey Guest

    I tip at hotels. When I choose to. I tip for cleaning every night. Or I used to. Last time I stayed in a hotel my room wasn't cleaned my first night so my tip just stayed out until they did. I am opposed to paying a tip before services are rendered. And I've had status with Hilton for several years. I may not reach it this year and will actively be looking for hotels that aren't cutting basic services like a nightly cleaning.

  257. Diane Millar Guest

    Just returned from a 14 day road trip, staying in hotels every night. We always left tips, but are rethinking that now. Not one of the hotels we stayed more than a single night, did someone ever come in to clean our rooms. Is that a new trend?

  258. Chrishanthi De Silva Gunasekera Guest

    Agree fire that lefty Moron and get someone like Carlton Hotel owners.who say If I treat my employees with respect and honor they will love to work and soon the news will spread.more people will come to work.
    First Fire Fire this Selfish Moron.beat the crap out on him
    Carlton does not advertise the employees will not quit.they will treat the guests with restpect.

  259. Ten Guest

    This US tipping business is outrageous. It is a failure of the government to protect it's citizen, passing the bucks to employer who ended up passing the bucks to costumer. Raising cost. It is very long haul fix it may not even be fixable

  260. Andrew s Guest

    Clueless ceo who doesn’t understand customer service and what it takes to return food employees

  261. beachmouse Guest

    I just had a look at hotel prices for tonight at the beach town to the south of me. The Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express are running $400+ a night and the Home2 Suites is $500+ For those prices, full housekeeping should really be included and the GM should be doing a run to Sam’s Club or such for mints to leave on the pillow after a cleaning service.

  262. Ronnie Guest

    This dude is what is the problem in the United States.
    I POS who doesn't care enough of his employees to give them a raise
    It's his decision but don't pass your responsibility on to your paying guests.
    (What a putz)

  263. Tony Guest

    So let me understand this. A hotel CEO thinks we should all pay more money for less service. Last time I looked my bed was not being made every day and my sheets were not being replaced. And my towels were not being replaced unless I specifically asked for them. Bad PR by this CEO. Try something else more creative to promote your product. . I am happy to tip for good service, but not for no service.

  264. Bill n DC Guest

    It’s disgusting and a clear example of unbridled capitalism imho. We can afford a living wage for all workers, gratuities should be for great service over and above expected service levels not to subsidize the wealthy owners!

  265. Mary Guest

    It's the hotels responsibility to pay there employees not the customer. Hotels should pay for their employees insurance and there pay. What the customer gives is a bonus to waiter or any hotel service. If you want good workers then pay them what they deserve.

  266. CG Guest

    Setting the tip at check-in BEFORE you've had any service???? Ridiculous on its face, no? In this guy's view, then, tips are NOT rewards; they're party of the salary he won't pay. The problem for me, now, is I have to find a way to avoid his hotels....

  267. Corey hansen Guest

    Mr CEO, I bet you and all your board members have millions. How about all you rich asses start paying more and asking the customer to pay more especially a hotel gratuity. All the big corporations how about you do your part for once.

  268. Esther Guest

    Was an option where the CEO/COO/Top executives receive even slightly more modest compensation ever considered? Yeah, I didn't think so.
    If you want to run a sustainable successful business then pay your employees a living wage.
    When I tip it's of my choosing and I resent being strong armed into subsidizing your slave wages.

  269. Dennis Gelbaum Guest

    Higher wages. Offer employee packages that inspire, motivate and engage workers. Provide real incentives, rewards and bonuses inline with what is offered to frequent guests. I don’t have an issue paying for excellent accommodations or extraordinary amenities. I don’t have an issue paying for excellent service. I have an issue with being nickel and dimed at every opportunity. Most corporate CEOS and other C level folks just don’t get it. They’re raking in millions of...

    Higher wages. Offer employee packages that inspire, motivate and engage workers. Provide real incentives, rewards and bonuses inline with what is offered to frequent guests. I don’t have an issue paying for excellent accommodations or extraordinary amenities. I don’t have an issue paying for excellent service. I have an issue with being nickel and dimed at every opportunity. Most corporate CEOS and other C level folks just don’t get it. They’re raking in millions of dollars in salary, incentives, stock options and other perks that most employees will never enjoy. How much is enough? If staff is the reason for success than share the profit. Employee profit sharing would change the way employees think about these jobs. Most people set out to do a good job, to exceed expectations. Recognition goes a long way.
    Think about this: a waiter/waitress working at a diner works just as hard (or harder) than a waiter/waitress at an expensive restaurant. His/her tip isn’t based on the actual service one provides, it’s based on the amount of the check! Is that fair? I’ve never thought so.
    We live in a society that reward mediocrity. A baseball player gets paid millions of dollars and hits less than 300! If a heart surgeon failed 7 out of 10 times would that be acceptable? A company loses hundreds of millions of dollars but the CEO gets paid millions of dollars in bonuses or severance when fired. I believe we should pay people fairly and reward them for results - providing outstanding service/results.

  270. Yvonne Smith Guest

    As a business traveler I see firsthand the price game that hotels play, changing the room rate every night. I maintain that if the rate changes from $120 to over $400/ night, for the same room during my stay, they can adjust their staff wages accordingly. I typically opt for no housekeeping services while I'm in the room, so what am I tipping for? Am I now expected to tip for the privilege of checking...

    As a business traveler I see firsthand the price game that hotels play, changing the room rate every night. I maintain that if the rate changes from $120 to over $400/ night, for the same room during my stay, they can adjust their staff wages accordingly. I typically opt for no housekeeping services while I'm in the room, so what am I tipping for? Am I now expected to tip for the privilege of checking into a clean room? Hotel chains are making plenty of money to pay their staff living wages. I am speaking from the perspective of being a hotel maid as my first paid employment outside of babysitting and housecleaning for neighbors. It is a hard and sometimes disgusting job. The lack of cleanliness can make or break a business, and housekeepers, janitors, and landscapers should be more valued than they are... especially by the EMPLOYER. Don't try to guilt me into tipping when you just raised my room rate by $300/ night.

  271. Ed Guest

    We’re at point of structural change within the service industry. Immigration is down everywhere, and people who got dumped by service industry jobs last year spent their time off contemplating what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives and came to the conclusion it was time for a career change.

    So demand is back up for service industry workers and supply is way down. Prices have to rise or services have...

    We’re at point of structural change within the service industry. Immigration is down everywhere, and people who got dumped by service industry jobs last year spent their time off contemplating what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives and came to the conclusion it was time for a career change.

    So demand is back up for service industry workers and supply is way down. Prices have to rise or services have to be cut. The industry has tried cutting services, it’s tried passive aggressive note blaming poor service on workers not wanting to work for low wages, now it needs to try Economics 101 and raise wages to a sufficient level so the jobs get filled.

    The only constructive thing you can say is “just pay everyone a good wage so we don’t have to tip.” Don’t seek to hide the reality of higher prices with any of this crap of service chargers, pre-cleared tips or anything else to try and disguise the fact that prices are rising.

  272. Sarah Guest

    Workers and guests agree that tipping is outdated - we are aware that this benefits owners and CEO/COO but never the people working nor the guests. Stop burdening everyone around you for your inability to run a business properly.

  273. bhcompy Guest

    GSA rolls tips into my food budget. You're not getting more tips out of me as GSA rates are already crap and force me to eat unhealthy cheap food to stay under budget

  274. Rick Guest

    #1 Stop hyperinflation in this country and maybe people could live on what they make.
    When Government is doing everything they can to destroy the tax payers of this country it becomes near impossible to keep up.
    #2 Not one of these hotels are worth what they charge to stay in their dirty, nasty rooms, and if this ass clown with a title thinks they are well than kick back what you have...

    #1 Stop hyperinflation in this country and maybe people could live on what they make.
    When Government is doing everything they can to destroy the tax payers of this country it becomes near impossible to keep up.
    #2 Not one of these hotels are worth what they charge to stay in their dirty, nasty rooms, and if this ass clown with a title thinks they are well than kick back what you have robbed from John Q Public and pay your damn employees more money and quit treating them like 2nd class citizens.
    #3 Mr 6 figure income, quit asking for handouts

  275. Dave R Guest

    In addition to his comments exposing his greed and misplaced priorities why are they spending so much on building new locations across the country that will be almost empty most of the year?

  276. Xx Guest

    Tipping cultures out of control, and I would really rather it done away with. It's confusing, it's hard to know how much to leave, and it's become this way to guilt consumers as opposed to its intention, which is to reward speedy and excellent service, which really just isn't a thing in America. It was never intended to be used as part of wages.

    Blaming consumers and then forcing them to tip some random gratuity on top of the bill is just not fair to anybody.

  277. CLH Guest

    For several years before COVID, we already had adopted a 20%+ tip policy at restaurants. Over the past 15 months on take-out food, we went to the 30% level. On longer resort vacations requiring air travel, we’ve found that leaving more generous tips for hotel housekeeping doesn’t significantly affect our travel expenses. And those folks especially work very hard. We’ve already saved the money. So we think we’re already being “responsible diners and travelers” on...

    For several years before COVID, we already had adopted a 20%+ tip policy at restaurants. Over the past 15 months on take-out food, we went to the 30% level. On longer resort vacations requiring air travel, we’ve found that leaving more generous tips for hotel housekeeping doesn’t significantly affect our travel expenses. And those folks especially work very hard. We’ve already saved the money. So we think we’re already being “responsible diners and travelers” on this tipping issue.

  278. Sissy Guest

    1. Tipping is based on the level of service one receives.
    2. I was at a chain hotel where they charged for the towels.
    3. Pay the staff according to the position and the responsibilities associated with the position
    4. Hotel Housekeepers are the make and break of any hotel. You have a dirty room..dirty linen..dirty floors, guests will spread the bad news.
    5. There is no gtd if a tip...

    1. Tipping is based on the level of service one receives.
    2. I was at a chain hotel where they charged for the towels.
    3. Pay the staff according to the position and the responsibilities associated with the position
    4. Hotel Housekeepers are the make and break of any hotel. You have a dirty room..dirty linen..dirty floors, guests will spread the bad news.
    5. There is no gtd if a tip is left at the front desk when checking in, the staff would receive said tip. The tips could/would be used as bottom line revenue or used as the wage for the employee and not as tips

  279. David Guest

    I’m a better than average tipper. I like that to be known and I like to be thanked. I particularly tip well to folks that usually don’t get tipped, e.g., housekeeping. If possible, I like to provide the housekeeper a tip in person. Thus, the check-in tip does not appeal. Story time: I got on an elevator and there was a woman cleaning the glass walls. I said, “everyone in this hotel gets tipped except...

    I’m a better than average tipper. I like that to be known and I like to be thanked. I particularly tip well to folks that usually don’t get tipped, e.g., housekeeping. If possible, I like to provide the housekeeper a tip in person. Thus, the check-in tip does not appeal. Story time: I got on an elevator and there was a woman cleaning the glass walls. I said, “everyone in this hotel gets tipped except you. This is for you.” I gave her a $20. She said nothing. I was disappointed and thought perhaps she didn’t see the size of the bill. Then the doors opened and two workers got on. She spoke to them in Spanish. They got big smiles on their faces and they shook my hand. I felt great all day.

  280. DC not in DC Guest

    Culture and habits can change. US hotels and restaurants used to provide spittoons and ashtrays but we have evolved.

    The chaos of tipping guidelines in the US does not apply in Singapore, Australia, or Switzerland and we are free to change.

    I agree with mandating full disclosure of costs at hotels and restaurants, as we now have with airlines.

  281. Josh Guest

    What happened to the "old days" when a tip represented extraordinary service provided by someone? Should I tip someone who is rude to me or derelict in their job performance for the sake of subsidising the CEO's bonus? When you go grocery shopping should the store automatically add a tip to your purchases to avoid them from having to pay their employees liveable wages? For the sake of fairness what is good for one industry should apply to all.

  282. Claude Doyle Ezzell Guest

    So will they charge less if we tip more? These companies expect to shift cost to the consumer and all that's going to do is drive away customers. If the government would quite making unemployment such an attractive alternative to actually working people would be wanting to work again.

  283. JKO Guest

    Since Covid, the housekeepers do not even step into my room to refresh coffee, replace towels, straighten the bed. I leave one-night’s worth of tip for the person that will clean up after me providing the room is decent when I arrive. Now I’m supposed to tip in addition to that? For what? They are working very hard but only because they’ve cut the staff in an effort to save money. My room is not less expensive due to less service.

  284. Vistaro Guest

    Simply don’t understand the obsession with tips in the US, it’s easy to say “ignore the tip debate” but to my mind it’s a screwed up world where an alleged first world country can’t simply pay a living wage to anyone willing to do a full time meaningful job - get a grip!

  285. Roger Client Guest

    Also, if this CEO is not able to collect the PRE-PAYMENT before the guest check-ins, maybe he should have cameras in the room so the housekeepers can be watched when they collect cash tips and they HAVE to give it to him so HE distributes him the proper way??? Now if a housekeeper received too much tip from a guest, he yanks it out of her pocket and gives to the Chef who didn't get enough tip that week...

    Pay your employees Mr. CEO GENIUS!

  286. Alan Bachand Guest

    OH BOY...

    That CEO is the WORST... Pre-paying tips or mandatory tips... lol That is good, lol... I hope NEVER to stay at his hotels if he doesn't pay his staff! He's probably to guy who adds the electricity surcharge for everyone and FOR sure the $25 daily resort fee for his Holiday Inn Express...

    Why not find other fees for opening the file, water usage, internet... GO NUTS Mr. CEO!

    What a concept!!! Simply charge more for your hotel and pay your people!

  287. Janet Member

    No, no, no! We need to move away from tipping. Pay people a living wage. I will pay for good service in the form of higher rates. I will seek out hotels and restaurants that provide good service. After many years living in Asia, I had much better service in places like Japan with no tipping culture. I despise the tipping culture and don't feel when I am paying hundreds of dollars for a meal...

    No, no, no! We need to move away from tipping. Pay people a living wage. I will pay for good service in the form of higher rates. I will seek out hotels and restaurants that provide good service. After many years living in Asia, I had much better service in places like Japan with no tipping culture. I despise the tipping culture and don't feel when I am paying hundreds of dollars for a meal or hotel that I should then be leaving a few dollars for maid service. Just charge me for what it costs to provide great service.

    1. D.D. Carroll Guest

      Agreed! Tipping is the last vestige of what should be considered "slave wages" since this started as general pay for the newly freed people after the civil war.

  288. Lee B Hoffman Guest

    Maybe the companies should pay more. Have you seen the price of the room? Pandemic my ass! Just another way to shyster money from guest's.Take a pay cut through upper management. Then you go beg for tips.

  289. Audrey Guest

    Why doesn't the CEO ask his board for tips instead of a salary and bonuses?

  290. Amanda Guest

    I tip, but I will never pay fees or added gratuities. Never. If I am served well, I tip. If not, not tip. It’s black and white, it’s yes or no. Pay your employees.

  291. Carlos Guest

    So if the service is bad do I get a refund from the hotel ?

  292. Eric W Guest

    I have no problem tipping more....
    But unfortunately, all the properties feel they need to charge $35-50/night in resort fees. That adds up for people who don't have a six-figure income!

    I also agree, that nobody should be expected to work for minimum wages and no/minimal health insurance!
    The business owners have become too greedy.
    I wouldn't expect employees to want to come to work consistently if the company isn't taking care of them and taking them for granted.

  293. Steve Polilli Guest

    Time to pay people a living wage

  294. Marriott Gold Member Guest

    As they say only in America. This kind of thinking is not the norm in other parts of the world. But what can you say, it's an investment firm who only cares about the dollar, not about actually running a good business. It's all about maximizing profits for the least amount of service, period. Let's make sure to not visit the hotels they own, and tip more at those others.

  295. Steve Polilli Guest

    So Ted Darnell believes that raising wages is not a sustainable competitive advantage. Other hotels will quickly follow suit, he says. Let’s put aside the observation that the same process applies to hiring top executives. Instead, it’s worth asking why the competition won’t also implement the forced tipping policy. They won’t because it creates customer ill will. As a former frequent business traveler I refused to stay at Gaylord properties because of resort fees. Such...

    So Ted Darnell believes that raising wages is not a sustainable competitive advantage. Other hotels will quickly follow suit, he says. Let’s put aside the observation that the same process applies to hiring top executives. Instead, it’s worth asking why the competition won’t also implement the forced tipping policy. They won’t because it creates customer ill will. As a former frequent business traveler I refused to stay at Gaylord properties because of resort fees. Such charges typically disclosed at check-in are flat out deceptive.

  296. Arthur Murga Guest

    Maybe the CEO's salary should be taken from the tip jar. It's just another way around giving individuals a decent living wage and avoid employee taxes and making the customer pay more for services.
    What happens when the service does not deserve a tip?

  297. Mario Dorazio Guest

    I think it's ridiculous that the hotel chains would put the onus on better service and better pay on the customers the hotels make a lot of money the people who work for them don't take care of your people and they will take care of you that's how things usually are supposed to work if not Airbnb is just going to get bigger and better and you will lose more money pay attention

  298. Beth Guest

    Former hotel mgr here. This is absolutely ridiculous bc these high dollar hotels make bank on their room sales but the staff is severely underpaid. A large number of these companies pay their housekeeping by the room. I’ve seen it as low as $2.50 per room and as high as $5. They’re given roughly 20-25 minutes to clean a room and are reprimanded for going over time. Even if they have a room that is...

    Former hotel mgr here. This is absolutely ridiculous bc these high dollar hotels make bank on their room sales but the staff is severely underpaid. A large number of these companies pay their housekeeping by the room. I’ve seen it as low as $2.50 per room and as high as $5. They’re given roughly 20-25 minutes to clean a room and are reprimanded for going over time. Even if they have a room that is destroyed. The housekeepers have the toughest most demanding job and are literally at the bottom of the food chain. Maybe if they would start paying better then guests won’t have to shell out tip money on top of the astronomical prices they pay for rooms. Although if most ppl knew the crap I know about their accommodations they would rethink sleeping in their cars and showering at truck stops. That is all!!!

  299. Derek Guest

    Definitely want a way to tip electronically at hotels, and aware it exists in other scenarios. For street cred.... I'm currently a Delta platinum medallion, Hilton diamond and Marriot ambassador elite. Had to continue a certain amount of travel all through the pandemic and felt this issue first hand. Encountered a total spectrum of solutions to this. Chicago's Waldorf explicitly asked you not to tip staff. Restaurants started using a valet app that made the...

    Definitely want a way to tip electronically at hotels, and aware it exists in other scenarios. For street cred.... I'm currently a Delta platinum medallion, Hilton diamond and Marriot ambassador elite. Had to continue a certain amount of travel all through the pandemic and felt this issue first hand. Encountered a total spectrum of solutions to this. Chicago's Waldorf explicitly asked you not to tip staff. Restaurants started using a valet app that made the experience completely cashless. Most hotel valets, concierges, housekeepers were gushing at getting $20 for parking my car, cleaning my room or helping me out in some other way. Wasn't always $20, but made the determination that anything less than $5 was being a cheapskate. If you can give $2, just give $5. So....during the pandemic I handed out cash like candy and everyone loved it, at the same time they wouldn't give me beer in the mini bar or water in the room because touching that was a germ risk. Bottom line, service workers around the world love tips and deserve them for quality service. No one wants to carry a pocketful of $5, $10, $20 bills while traveling. Hotels could seemingly with little effort incorporate a system where guests could tip electronically to individual staff or a pool to the whole. Don't understand why that hasn't been pioneered by one of the big chains. Seems like a win win for staff and guests. A standard gratuity does not help, doesn't reward for exemplary service. See the Bahamas when they put their service tax on all food and drink.

  300. KATHY THOMAS Guest

    I feel u are making the guest pay for more. We do pay quite a bit for a hotel room per night. I think u are trying to make money off a guest as u don't want to give them more money yourself. If they are underpaid then u should be held accountable not the guest. I have seen in the last month owners of hotels price gouging customers i really think charging 700 plus...

    I feel u are making the guest pay for more. We do pay quite a bit for a hotel room per night. I think u are trying to make money off a guest as u don't want to give them more money yourself. If they are underpaid then u should be held accountable not the guest. I have seen in the last month owners of hotels price gouging customers i really think charging 700 plus dollars a night is way overnoard. What the hell is that anyway? People are coming off a pandemic they dont have that kind of mibey to pay per night. That is ridiculous. Maybe u can charge the republicans that amount but not your everyday Joe. Its ludicrous and beyond stupid to think a normal person can afford that. Get a grip here!! Stop using the customer to get extra funds for your employees. Wake up and smell the coffee if u gave a business pay that person what they are worth, quit sucking the poor people dry, we r your livliehood treat us with respect and dont assume we should tip or do not implement a tip before we use your facility. We wont ve back if u continue that type of crap. You will.lose in the end. Thank you Kathy Thomas 5302731678.

  301. Tom Dillon Guest

    The service in hotels has gone downhill rapidly and it appears it will never return to what it was. I have been in Hilton Hotels for the past 12 days and the only way I can get service is check out and recheck in later that day.
    Why would any CEO or manager believe that people will tip when they don’t receive any service. Would his Board of Directors please remind him that a tip is a gratuity for “services rendered” if no services are rendered why would people tip.

  302. Sonny Guest

    Don't put burden on average traveler. Hotels management must take dive in their compensation and increase wages. No one wants to talk about the real issue here. Tom Darnell should himself take 75% pay cut and increase the wages in hotel industry from cleanup crew to GMs.

    1. D.D. Carroll Guest

      I also have to wonder if they took PPP money?? We are paying these jerks both coming and going and they still want to rip off the employees and customers.

  303. Jay Guest

    How about nooooo you crazy Dutch bast***!!!!

  304. Tk Guest

    This kind of news story makes me seriously wonder if it is time to stop tipping hotel staff since hotel owners are just using it as a way to avoid raising their wages.

    At a certain point you have to wonder if our tipping is actually hurting the staff more than it is helping them.

    Certainly tipping more so owners don't have to raise wages seems like the wrong way to help them.

    1. Melissa Guest

      You stopping tipping just hurts the workers. It does absolutely nothing to motivate the greedy employers to pay more. They don’t care if the workers don’t get tips.

    2. D.D. Carroll Guest

      A vicious cycle indeed! As long as the tips are paying the staff, why raise wages? It also saves the employer money on obligatory payroll taxes. A win-win for the greedy CEO's, and they hope that people like you continue the game inperpuity so they can continue to earn millions on the backs of both the employees and customers.

    3. Renee Stone Guest

      If anybody that gets tips is getting minimum wage like everybody else they don't need to get any more chips.

  305. Perry Bacon Guest

    This is ridiculous. I’m sick of the US system of employees at the lower end of the wage scale groveling for tips to survive. Employers need to pay market wages and pass the costs along however the market will bear. Tipping makes everyone uncomfortable and unsure of what’s “right” vs what’s “expected.” It’s so different in most of the world. I love going to a restaurant, bar, hotel, spa etc outside the US and paying...

    This is ridiculous. I’m sick of the US system of employees at the lower end of the wage scale groveling for tips to survive. Employers need to pay market wages and pass the costs along however the market will bear. Tipping makes everyone uncomfortable and unsure of what’s “right” vs what’s “expected.” It’s so different in most of the world. I love going to a restaurant, bar, hotel, spa etc outside the US and paying the posted price with the expectation that the employees are being paid fairly. When I do tip abroad, I do so of my own free will. It’s wonderful to tip by choice not obligation. Time to scrap the tipping con game in the US.

    1. Sasha Guest

      What kills me is the demand for $15/hr minimum wage is in addition to continuing tips. The hue and cry has been that service staff makes minimum wage and deserves more but they need to choose.

    2. YULtide Gold

      Google "living wage "

      Compare that to the current minimum wage and to $15

      Then advocate for a living wage for everyone

    3. YULtide Gold

      "living wage *your city*"

  306. Willem Guest

    Just leaving Miami myself, service included on restaurant bills is great EXCEPT when they ask for tip as well and induce you to double-dip if you didn’t read carefully enough!

  307. DLPTATL Guest

    I'm guilty of wanting to leave a tip to my housekeeper in the room, but often I simply don't have cash. I try to remember to have a few smaller bills in my pocket for airport shuttle drivers, bellhops, etc. but often run out mid-trip because I'm simply not using cash for any other purpose and not getting any change during the course of a trip.

    I don't hate the solution of tipping the...

    I'm guilty of wanting to leave a tip to my housekeeper in the room, but often I simply don't have cash. I try to remember to have a few smaller bills in my pocket for airport shuttle drivers, bellhops, etc. but often run out mid-trip because I'm simply not using cash for any other purpose and not getting any change during the course of a trip.

    I don't hate the solution of tipping the staff through your hotel bill (using a CC), but I would prefer that I be given the option at check-out, ideally in-app. Most cruise lines add standard gratuities to your bill pre-check-out but give you the option to go to the purser to adjust these up (or down).
    Though I do have my concerns that these tips collected on the bill may not actually make it into the hands of the workers doing the work, or at least not 100%.

    1. DC not in DC Guest

      Agreed. Tipping after recieving a service (as with Uber and Lyft) is acceptable. Tipping before receiving a service will reward terrible service as much as it will excellent service.

  308. Stephanie Woods Guest

    Tipping is for doing your job. Why would I tip until I see how you do your job? You do your job well, I will tip more. You do your job badly, you get tipped less, or if you don't do your job at all-you get nothing. If my bed doesn't get made, I have to go ask for toliet paper, I never get new towels, I have to empty my trash-why would I tip?...

    Tipping is for doing your job. Why would I tip until I see how you do your job? You do your job well, I will tip more. You do your job badly, you get tipped less, or if you don't do your job at all-you get nothing. If my bed doesn't get made, I have to go ask for toliet paper, I never get new towels, I have to empty my trash-why would I tip? The ONLY time I pretip is on a cruise. I find my cabin steward, tell him what I want, and promptly give him money.. I've found that gets me great service the length of the cruise. But tipping for a meal ahead of time, or tipping for my room, no way! Just like i try to avoid resort fees. I am usually paying for garbage I am not even using. Nowadays, especially if you are not booking with a hotel directly, or if you are booking an apartment, they add on all sorts of service fees, cleaning fees, non-refundable deposits! Why should I make up for the company not paying a living wage??

  309. Savannah Guest

    Expecting customers to pay more than already charged will just make more people stay out of your hotels. If it's too big of an inconvenience for CEOs to pay people to do their jobs I'll just not go like so many others.

  310. MG Guest

    Especially in the last year, I have seen a decrease in the quality of cleanliness of some typically solid mid-range properties. That said, this is not all true and some have maintained decent standards. My tipping depends on overall initial impressions and conditions alongside continued replenishing of amenities\upkeep (or at least how well any requests are if inquired) if the stay is several days. Obviously, several stays have *temporarily* eliminated daily housekeeping. I have had...

    Especially in the last year, I have seen a decrease in the quality of cleanliness of some typically solid mid-range properties. That said, this is not all true and some have maintained decent standards. My tipping depends on overall initial impressions and conditions alongside continued replenishing of amenities\upkeep (or at least how well any requests are if inquired) if the stay is several days. Obviously, several stays have *temporarily* eliminated daily housekeeping. I have had to wipe down toilets clearly not properly cleaned and come down to the front desk to pick up towels that were never placed in the room initially at hotels costing $150-$200 a night. Am I to equally tip these housekeepers the same as one who did their job correctly? I adjust accordingly at the end after my experience. Tipping prior provides little incentive, and I have had housekeeping clearly provide better service after seeing me a few times.

  311. Creditian Guest

    Total BS!!!
    They just avoid paying FICA taxes. IRS should look into their taxes records and see how much FICA taxes they skipped.

  312. uldguy Diamond

    All the more reason for a large and sustained increase to the federal minimum wage, but it needs to be tied with the cost for living in the area. A minimum wage of $15.00 in New York City is nothing compared to the same amount in Hattiesburg MS.

    1. YULtide Gold

      If US minimum wage had kept pace with productivity gains in the last 70 years it would be $22 per hour. If it kept pace with Wall Street bonuses since 1985 it would be $44 per hour.

      Just sayin'

      Source: Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labour

  313. FormerHEIEmployer Guest

    I worked for HEI before the pandemic and was laid off very early in the stages of it, in senior hotel leadership / management. I’ll just say this doesn’t surprise me at all. They like to say they run their hotels “lean”. It’s just them trying to be as cheap as possible. Every hour of labor is determined by a spreadsheet and you can’t go beyond it.

  314. Mike Guest

    Having just stayed about 21 nights in hotels over the last three months, here's where my head is at:

    If you are going to not clean my room and hide from providing inlcuded breakfast services (I'm looking at you Hampton Inn Oakland - who ask folks to preorder paltry items before 8pm the night prior), then that's fine. I can make my own bed, reuse towels and run to Starbucks....but I damn sure expect then...

    Having just stayed about 21 nights in hotels over the last three months, here's where my head is at:

    If you are going to not clean my room and hide from providing inlcuded breakfast services (I'm looking at you Hampton Inn Oakland - who ask folks to preorder paltry items before 8pm the night prior), then that's fine. I can make my own bed, reuse towels and run to Starbucks....but I damn sure expect then that room rates will decrease by ~$20 a night as a result.

    Hotels are on crack if they think I'm going to add a tip at check-in for what is essentially a NO service stay...dream on.

    1. Barbara Scott Guest

      Yes, Yes, Yes. The Hyatt, Marriott, Marriott Bonvoy etc. all have used the pandemic as
      an excuse to slack on their cleaning services & most of the amenities now cease
      to exist. Yet the rates are still ridiculously high. I'm surprised not more travelers are complaining about this. It's such a slap in the face. Something needs to be done about this. What these five star hotels are advertising is not what the consumer is receiving. That's considered fraud. SMH

  315. JD Guest

    I’m now in the market for hotels on my trips as I will no longer be using these, points be damned.

  316. xx Guest

    look at this review of this moron on Glassdoor:
    "The COO, Ted Darnall, came to visit our property and the words out of his mouth was, "We don't care about guests, we don't care about surveys. We are a Real Estate Company and value of the land beneath us is all that matters." Then he spent the next two hours blabbing on about how great he is and made us all stand up to...

    look at this review of this moron on Glassdoor:
    "The COO, Ted Darnall, came to visit our property and the words out of his mouth was, "We don't care about guests, we don't care about surveys. We are a Real Estate Company and value of the land beneath us is all that matters." Then he spent the next two hours blabbing on about how great he is and made us all stand up to listen to his borderline sociopathic speech. Some leadership...
    Advice to Management:
    Fire Ted Darnall and get a COO in that isn't a sociopath/dictator. Allow people to LOVE their job, not just work them to the point of a nervous breakdown."

  317. Zymm Guest

    The culture of tipping actually came to America from Europe. They managed to get rid of it and so should we.

    1. D.D. Carroll Guest

      No, tipping started in the US after the Civil War as the only source of pay for the newly freed slaves. The old taskmaster didn't want to pay for the people that they had used for free for 100's of years. Tipping has actually spread to the other countries as US travelers offered tips to the workers overseas.

  318. Clem Diamond

    The crazy thing is that this is incredibly US centric. In many countries in the world, you don't tip, period. And yet the hospitality industry isn't flourishing any less than in the US: see most countries in Europe or Asia. Hotels don't struggle because they pay their staff normally.
    So the fact that somehow we are incapable of providing living wages and benefits to the ones who need it most in this country, is...

    The crazy thing is that this is incredibly US centric. In many countries in the world, you don't tip, period. And yet the hospitality industry isn't flourishing any less than in the US: see most countries in Europe or Asia. Hotels don't struggle because they pay their staff normally.
    So the fact that somehow we are incapable of providing living wages and benefits to the ones who need it most in this country, is complete non sense to me.

    Tipping is just a huge inconvenience in most places for most visitors, who never know how much, who or what to tip for, and also rarely walk around with wads of local currency readily available. This madness needs to stop.

    1. D.D. Carroll Guest

      Actually, most people don't know that tipping in the US was devised as the only pay for the newly freed slaves after the Civil War who depended on tips as their only source of pay. This has translated through the years as the primary pay for most service (chattel) industry jobs. This is why you only see higher tipping in the US with an average of 20% of the check compared to a buck or...

      Actually, most people don't know that tipping in the US was devised as the only pay for the newly freed slaves after the Civil War who depended on tips as their only source of pay. This has translated through the years as the primary pay for most service (chattel) industry jobs. This is why you only see higher tipping in the US with an average of 20% of the check compared to a buck or two in other Countries for good service. If you have never worked as a waitress, then you wouldn't know that the actual hourly pay is only about $2.50/hour (at least in Texas). The greedy CEO's in the US have always tried to "pass the buck" onto the customers, and the employees, while simultaneously dodging taxes through legal loopholes that they also lobbied for.

  319. BCT Guest

    So a FIRST WORLD hotel chain charging FIRST WORLD prices is refusing to pay their staff a living wage? If there are no services at a hotel, there is no reason to stay ther.

  320. Icarus Guest

    He’s a moron. A company should pay its staff properly It’s not up to customers to be expected to pay a tip to avoid the company. What next? Don’t pay the staff at all and insist all customers pay a minimum of $150. Only in America.

  321. Juan Guest

    I honestly didn't even know you were supposed to leave a tip in your room for hotel staff in general until a few years ago. Outside of the person who helps with your bags (that we always turn down), this isn't something many of us know and my family didn't know either since they moved to the US. Makes me wonder how few people know about this.

  322. Eskimo Guest

    Stop bullying employees and pay your wages better.

    I'd like to leave tips as an extra for good service, not as a deterrence for spit or hair in my food.

    The "unsustainable competitive advantage" is a total lie. If labor cost more, raise your prices. If your product is good, people will pay. Just look at Chipotle raising prices and wages. Lines doesn't look shorter to me.

    By the way, labor shortage will disappear once...

    Stop bullying employees and pay your wages better.

    I'd like to leave tips as an extra for good service, not as a deterrence for spit or hair in my food.

    The "unsustainable competitive advantage" is a total lie. If labor cost more, raise your prices. If your product is good, people will pay. Just look at Chipotle raising prices and wages. Lines doesn't look shorter to me.

    By the way, labor shortage will disappear once the benefit money runs out. And we need to stop all the WFH excuse already. Millennials are corrupting your thoughts. The longer we allow WFH, the less likely we will return to normal offices ever again.

    1. Synn Guest

      Why are you saying any of that as if it was a bad thing? I'm no millennial, and WhoTF wants to return to some sh!tty office?

    2. Gina Mcgrath Guest

      Ditto! Agree 100% with your post

  323. YULtide Gold

    If Ted Darnell has the courage of his convictions he should work for tips himself. Paying CEOs more has never been the solution.

    1. Gina Mcgrath Guest

      Brilliant Ditto! No more yachts, Aspen and Hawaii weekends. No more million dollar bonuses. No 3rd home in the Hamptons. Unrealistic out of touch Corporate Greed

  324. Jose Guest

    One word - Dumb!

    When you are making a lot of money when economy is good do you give money to customers or a fat bonus to all employees may be just to the Executives?

    The tipping culture has to go for all industries, all cost including labours should be factored in the rate/price of what you are selling whether it's hotel, restaurant, fast-food or other industries. Asking customers to pay for your employee...

    One word - Dumb!

    When you are making a lot of money when economy is good do you give money to customers or a fat bonus to all employees may be just to the Executives?

    The tipping culture has to go for all industries, all cost including labours should be factored in the rate/price of what you are selling whether it's hotel, restaurant, fast-food or other industries. Asking customers to pay for your employee salaries is stupid thinking.......and why do you think only your employees need tips, what about people working in the fast food, clinic, retail shops and call center etc they don't deserve tips?

    1. Gina Mcgrath Guest

      Ditto! Totally agree. Companies get off, Scott free with not paying employees properly in the first place! Pass the extra cost onto the consumer! Pay them a fair living wage. Real Estate rates and parking how can a human survive today. No wonder our street are loaded with homeless. Not all drugs and alcohol related. A lot of hard working people that can't keep up with inflation. Now with Brain dead leader...God Help Us!

  325. beachmouse Guest

    One of my recent hotel stays at a premium extended stay brand- 'for the safety of our employees, you will not get housekeeping services for your 7 night stay. Please leave your trash in the hallways' (they were reasonably persistent with the trash sweeps but still...) 'Also if you need any consumables like toilet paper or dishwasher detergent, you must be physically present in the room to receive them; we can't just pass such things...

    One of my recent hotel stays at a premium extended stay brand- 'for the safety of our employees, you will not get housekeeping services for your 7 night stay. Please leave your trash in the hallways' (they were reasonably persistent with the trash sweeps but still...) 'Also if you need any consumables like toilet paper or dishwasher detergent, you must be physically present in the room to receive them; we can't just pass such things out at the front desk or have housekeeping just lob them across the threshold into the kitchenette area' And well, I'm pretty grouchy about the idea I'm supposed to now pay a mandatory gratuity for service levels that are about 90% less than what they were pre-pandemic.

  326. Donna Diamond

    They need to pay their employees more and not depend on the generosity of hotel guests. Frankly, I’d wonder if the employees would actually receive the tips. There have been successful lawsuits brought by employees working for Las Vegas restaurants who never received tips that were left for them under similar arrangements. Finally, if I want to tip, I feel like I should decide and not be pressured and put on the spot at check in to designate a percentage upfront.

    1. Gina Mcgrath Guest

      Ditto Donna! So much deception with anything today. Who can you Trust?

  327. Michael Guest

    I always tip employees well who go above and beyond to provide exceptional service. With this said, I think when resorts start racking on confusing resort fees, service charges, etc —it discourages many guests from tipping. If they meant business in terms of tipping, they should drop all the fees. Perhaps, guests would feel more encouraged to take care of the employees.

    1. KellyAnn Guest

      If a fee is non-avoidable, such as a resort fee or room service charge, it needs to be part of the room rate. Enough of this unbundling, nickel and diming nonsense. You shouldn't book a room for a certain rate and end up paying double that rate when all the various fees, charges, and taxes are added.

    2. Edgar Miranda Guest

      And not just that, they state in their promotion, free wifi, free water, parking included and then when you paid they charge you fees for internet,water, parking...WTF this MF are clever, that's how you still from people and make millions in revenue.

    3. Gina Mcgrath Guest

      Agree. So many add on fees. Additional fees are as much as one night's rate. Hotel rates are very expensive across the board. CEO never want to take a pay cut ✂️

  328. Quo Vadis? Guest

    So CEO Ted Darnall readily admits that HEI's employees [work hard and thus] deserve more than the wages they are being paid. It's interesting that he states raising wages has never been the solution because higher wages will simply be matched by competitors. That almost sounds like collusion to suppress wages.

    So instead, he wants to make up the shortfall between what HEI's employees are paid and what they are worth by coercing customers to...

    So CEO Ted Darnall readily admits that HEI's employees [work hard and thus] deserve more than the wages they are being paid. It's interesting that he states raising wages has never been the solution because higher wages will simply be matched by competitors. That almost sounds like collusion to suppress wages.

    So instead, he wants to make up the shortfall between what HEI's employees are paid and what they are worth by coercing customers to make up the difference via tips. It's obvious Darnell wants customers to bear the cost (so that his company doesn't have to), but his idea is too clever by half.

    1. Gina Mcgrath Guest

      Agree with you. Fire Darnall! Greedy CEO

  329. Andrew B Guest

    It would be good to have a digital solution for leaving tips, regardless. I very rarely have cash on me.

  330. Not a Korean Guest

    Tipping should be entirely voluntary; whoever wants to, tips as much as he/she wants to. Compulsory tipping is bad, even North Korea does not do that.

  331. Joelfreak Guest

    Tell ya what...when I love a company, I will tip to help the CEO get paid...until then, the CEO gets paid minimum wage. I am SURE that will attract GREAT talent, and he/she will stay with the company...RIGHT? Tips are nothing more than pushing salaries onto the customer. Sure I don't mind tipping for great service, but REQUIRING it makes the reason behind it worthless.

    1. Jim Guest

      Why don’t the CEO take less pay and give his employees more pay. Consumers are already paying to much.

    2. Ted Guest

      Because then the CEO couldn't afford his 8th vacation house

    3. Gina Mcgrath Guest

      Totally agree with your post!

  332. Travis Guest

    Did this CEO come from the cruise industry?

    1. Eric W Guest

      I have no problem tipping more....
      But unfortunately, all the properties feel they need to charge $35-50/night in resort fees. That adds up for people who don't have a six-figure income!

      I also agree, that nobody should be expected to work for minimum wages and no/minimal health insurance!
      The business owners have become too greedy.
      I wouldn't expect employees to want to come to work consistently if the company isn't taking care of them and taking them for granted.

    2. Maima Guest

      Yep. Right now everyone wants a job with benefits. What's the point of working for someone who don't value you.??

  333. Chris Gold

    Tipping can be easily solved by adding 20% to the price of things and paying employees a 20% commission. It’s the same thing and causes less tension. Anything you want to give extra, good on you.

    1. The traveler Guest

      That math would only be true if the total cost of the labor equaled the total revenue. But the hotel industry floats around 31-34 percent labor cost to total revenue. In 2019, it was 31.3%. So actually, they would only have to raise their prices by roughly 6.25% to give workers a 20% raise. Yeah, that's a ballpark but it's close enough.

    2. James Mager Guest

      I wouldn't patronize any company that adds an immediate tip.

    3. Open road Guest

      I feel the same way and I tip.

    4. Lulu Guest

      I agree 100%. Tip ahead of time??? That ignores the reason for tipping as a reward for good or extraordinary service. Sadly, many people don't tip underpaid workers even when they get great service. I also agree with all those who said take the COO's salary and give it to the lowest paid hotel employees. He is blind to the real issues because "always it's all about him. "

  334. Tprophet Guest

    Wages haven't gone up for far too long. At this point, it's not worth it for most people to take starvation wages with no benefits. People have had a year to figure out how to replace their meager incomes, and they have now done so, often with informal businesses. The US economy is starting to look like Mexico, with a significant underground/informal component.

    Corporations, do you want workers? Pay them fairly and provide benefits....

    Wages haven't gone up for far too long. At this point, it's not worth it for most people to take starvation wages with no benefits. People have had a year to figure out how to replace their meager incomes, and they have now done so, often with informal businesses. The US economy is starting to look like Mexico, with a significant underground/informal component.

    Corporations, do you want workers? Pay them fairly and provide benefits. Turns out that everyone had a year to realize they were both getting screwed, and that they had other options.

    1. Sel, D. Guest

      I’d be curious if there is ANY data to back this up. The more logical conclusion is that low-waged folks are getting paid similarly to not work and stay home. This is why many states have ended the enhanced unemployment benefits. The new refundable child tax credit could exacerbate this as well.

      And yes Lucky, all-in pricing is LONG overdue.

    2. Zymm Guest

      There is a field called labor economics which studies labor markets and wages. They have analyzed plenty of historical data and the current shortage is likely driven by a number of factors, such as lack of access to child care, continued fear of exposure, etc with the enhanced unemployment benefits only playing a very minor role. You see the same shortages in areas that have ended the benefits and there is also a much higher...

      There is a field called labor economics which studies labor markets and wages. They have analyzed plenty of historical data and the current shortage is likely driven by a number of factors, such as lack of access to child care, continued fear of exposure, etc with the enhanced unemployment benefits only playing a very minor role. You see the same shortages in areas that have ended the benefits and there is also a much higher rate of people quitting their jobs, and those people do not qualify for any benefits. It's a popular position in some political circles to blame the enhanced unemployment benefits for the decreased access to cheap labor, but it just isn't consistent with what is actually happening.

    3. Eskimo Guest

      @Zymm

      I'm not saying you're wrong. But you're also not right. You did list many of the contributing factors, but same as politicians on the other end, you dismiss unemployment benefit as minor role. There is a delayed effect that many people ignored. There is no study so far that support or deny this, because it's still happening and not enough data can be gathered yet.
      Why?
      Per BLS (yes those people who...

      @Zymm

      I'm not saying you're wrong. But you're also not right. You did list many of the contributing factors, but same as politicians on the other end, you dismiss unemployment benefit as minor role. There is a delayed effect that many people ignored. There is no study so far that support or deny this, because it's still happening and not enough data can be gathered yet.
      Why?
      Per BLS (yes those people who uses labor economics), median unemployment in May was around 19 weeks. So it takes almost 5 months to get a job. It's going to be at least few more months after benefits have ended to really blame or not blame unemployment benefits. These few months will remove those who are looking for a job, and those who are trying to move up the labor market. By then if labor shortage still remain, then unemployment benefits is playing more than a minor factor you concluded.

      And if businesses were paying decent wages before Covid, labor shortage wouldn't even be a thing.
      If the minimum wage is up to $50, no one will give a **** about lack of access to child care, continued fear of exposure, etc. So there you go, the main reason for shortage.

    4. GAYLE MARTIN Guest

      The data is showing that paying starvation wages, without benefits is not desirable and people are seeking better situations. In the parts of the country that have eliminated the enhanced unemployment payments, labor shortages persist. My husband is currently the only wage earner and I am choosing not to returning to work. Transportation, clothing, convenience foods, aggravation, time to economize and shop sales? My working isn't getting us anywhere and it's freeing up the people...

      The data is showing that paying starvation wages, without benefits is not desirable and people are seeking better situations. In the parts of the country that have eliminated the enhanced unemployment payments, labor shortages persist. My husband is currently the only wage earner and I am choosing not to returning to work. Transportation, clothing, convenience foods, aggravation, time to economize and shop sales? My working isn't getting us anywhere and it's freeing up the people that we paid for the restaurant food yardwork, dog grooming and occasional cleaning services to pursue better opportunities.

    5. AW Guest

      That's literally not true. The parts of the country that have stopped enhanced benefits now have lower unemployment than the parts that continue to pay enhanced benefits.

      https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-are-leaving-unemployment-rolls-more-quickly-in-states-cutting-off-benefits-11624786202

    6. Mbrocambro Guest

      Then why those businesses move there...lol

    7. Kat Johnson Guest

      Oh, luckily, turns out people are not lazy. They need to be fairly compensated and be able to cover the cost of living to take a new position.
      Do you not need a living wage, enough to afford to feed your family and provide adequate child care? I invite you to take a hotel or fast food job.

    8. Darla Guest

      He clearly is stupid. He he cared about the maids @ his hotels, they would have been making better wages before Covid 19. He wants them to work for a salary that he would not. He could take a pay cut, sell one of his homes so that his staff can make livable wages, instead of minimum wages. He is obviously one of the greedy who does not care about the needy, their need to...

      He clearly is stupid. He he cared about the maids @ his hotels, they would have been making better wages before Covid 19. He wants them to work for a salary that he would not. He could take a pay cut, sell one of his homes so that his staff can make livable wages, instead of minimum wages. He is obviously one of the greedy who does not care about the needy, their need to have affordable health care & a house,, not just be housed in apartments or extended stay hotels.

    9. Fabio Guest

      There is a link between social benefits and wages at which people will refuse to work. Economists call the threshold at which people enter the labor market and give up benefits the "reservation wage".

      But this cannot be an argument for stopping social benefits. Their level depend on the type of society we want to live in (my idea of such a society involves decent social benefits). But it is necessary to be aware of...

      There is a link between social benefits and wages at which people will refuse to work. Economists call the threshold at which people enter the labor market and give up benefits the "reservation wage".

      But this cannot be an argument for stopping social benefits. Their level depend on the type of society we want to live in (my idea of such a society involves decent social benefits). But it is necessary to be aware of this logical link.

      The economic social reforms done in Germany in 2003/2004 have led to a small reduction of the "reservation wage" by making social benefits more difficult to obtain.

    10. Renee Stone Guest

      Most people are not staying home over choosing to work because of unemployment get your facts right that's just not true

    11. Isaa Solomon Guest

      We all put at and hope thi economy gets b,people are starving.zBolls accumulating at home,everyone staying at a hotel knows the right thing,don’t think a lecture from a big boss,would make any difference.

    12. James Mager Guest

      Tipping is great. Maybe the shithead CEO could tip the actual workers some of his millions... people are tired of working for minimum wage while assholes are making millions... everyone, stop working.... let's see what happens...

    13. Edgar Miranda Guest

      Let's do it, is enough. This moron now wants the customer to pay the salary of his employees, while he is making millions for him, we should united and make a national stop and not working until they raises the wages.

    14. Renee Stone Guest

      Now that right on the head exactly

    15. Renee Stone Guest

      Wow another smart individual with a good head on her shoulders bravo bravo good for you speak your mind don't be afraid stand up good for you

    16. Carmenf Guest

      Very true. According to financial reports these business owners made millions and billions and yet they're still teying to find ways to keep all their gains while their workers can't meet the financial commitments...smh

    17. Steve Miller Guest

      Places like Portland Oregon have a tendency to tax travelers 12 plus percent but do not have sales tax so visitors are tax highly

    18. Walt Guest

      The Hilton CEO made over $50M in 2020, including stock options. How about giving some of those stock options to the hard working employees? No one should make over $1M a year.

    19. James golden Guest

      Get rid of this moron

    20. Shannen McCullough Guest

      I find it absolutely ridiculous that the CEO of these major hotel chains expects that customers should tip more so that their staff can be recognized for their hard work! It's the employer's responsibility to recognize and/or reward THEIR employees for the work that they do for the company that they were hired to do, not the customer's. Lots of businesses have lost money and employees and many have closed as a result of Covid...

      I find it absolutely ridiculous that the CEO of these major hotel chains expects that customers should tip more so that their staff can be recognized for their hard work! It's the employer's responsibility to recognize and/or reward THEIR employees for the work that they do for the company that they were hired to do, not the customer's. Lots of businesses have lost money and employees and many have closed as a result of Covid restrictions as hard times have not just hit hotels and restaurants. Many of their hotel guests are these people who are also living with less money, yet this CEO expects those guests that may be struggling as well to pay more when they themselves may be barely scraping by. Not everyone staying in a hotel is there on a luxurious vacation. Many hotel guests are in town for a funeral, wedding or possibly a job interview in a new city. Maybe they saved up for months to afford to visit a sick or elderly relative in a different city. Why burden the guests with extra costs, as they may be struggling just to pay the room rate. Even those that have plenty of money should not be expected to pay the employees of another company more out of their pocket to subsidize the pay rate that the company pays their staff. THEIR staff, THEIR responsibility. Lastly, no one should be forced or even expected to PRE-TIP for any service that has not yet been performed! What if the room that they haven't even checked into yet is unsatisfactory or unclean? What about if the housekeeping staff forgets to clean their room or doesn't do a good job? What if the restaurant staff, doorman, front desk staff or another employee gives subpar service during their stay? I cannot imagine the difficulty getting the tip refunded due to poor service. Also, where is the incentive for the staff to perform at a higher (or even just above the bare minimum) level when they will know that they are already to be tipped regardless of their competence or service?!

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

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Tprophet Guest

Wages haven't gone up for far too long. At this point, it's not worth it for most people to take starvation wages with no benefits. People have had a year to figure out how to replace their meager incomes, and they have now done so, often with informal businesses. The US economy is starting to look like Mexico, with a significant underground/informal component. Corporations, do you want workers? Pay them fairly and provide benefits. Turns out that everyone had a year to realize they were both getting screwed, and that they had other options.

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Zymm Guest

There is a field called labor economics which studies labor markets and wages. They have analyzed plenty of historical data and the current shortage is likely driven by a number of factors, such as lack of access to child care, continued fear of exposure, etc with the enhanced unemployment benefits only playing a very minor role. You see the same shortages in areas that have ended the benefits and there is also a much higher rate of people quitting their jobs, and those people do not qualify for any benefits. It's a popular position in some political circles to blame the enhanced unemployment benefits for the decreased access to cheap labor, but it just isn't consistent with what is actually happening.

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xx Guest

look at this review of this moron on Glassdoor: "The COO, Ted Darnall, came to visit our property and the words out of his mouth was, "We don't care about guests, we don't care about surveys. We are a Real Estate Company and value of the land beneath us is all that matters." Then he spent the next two hours blabbing on about how great he is and made us all stand up to listen to his borderline sociopathic speech. Some leadership... Advice to Management: Fire Ted Darnall and get a COO in that isn't a sociopath/dictator. Allow people to LOVE their job, not just work them to the point of a nervous breakdown."

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