Review: Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos Ocean View Double Room

What is the tipping practice at an all exclusive?

You tip as much as you possibly can of course, always carry a large bunch of US banknotes with you

I completely disagree with tipper. I went to Zilara Cancun, and they were clear that tips were included and I never felt any pressure to do any additional tipping.

@zilara cancun

All inclusive means everything included? Even the drinks in the cooler in your room? What was not included?

I was at Zilara Cancun and yes, everything is included, even drinks in your room. Some restaurants require a reservation and the Chef's specialty restaurant is only bookable if you're in a premium room.

It's a pretty decent all-inclusive hotel with a variety of dining options. There is also a 24 hour lounge with food as well as room service. The only downside during my stay was that the TV wasnt working and I was told they were in the middle of changing TV providers. I didnt care much for in-room TV anyway so I didnt press it. I was able to book 4 nights via the Citi Prestige card and at a 55% discount in addition to the 4th night free for a standard ocean view room. I thought it was a fantastic deal.

As for tipping, i dont believe its required but I always left a tip after meals, drinks at the bar and housekeeping because thats how i roll. It wasnt much either - US$1-2 each time.

I stayed at this property over Thanksgiving and loved it. The staff was great, food was good (especially the lunch tacos at the little poolside cantina), and it's a short cab ride into San Jose del Cabo. Note that San Jose is NOT Cabo San Lucas, which is more of the spring break party town. San Jose is much smaller and more laid back- a lot of art galleries and nice restaurants.
My only complaint was that I called Hyatt to use a Diamond Suite Upgrade certificate on my room, and they gave me the same room as above. I was kind of mad, but ended up getting the DSU cert credited back to my account afterwards.

Mike,

You need to try the new Ziva Cancun - we just got back and it was amazing.

As for tipping, I usually tip $1 per item. So a dollar a drink at the pool or bar and maybe $10 for a multi course dinner with drinks.

Spent a week at the Hyatt Ziva Cabo between Christmas and New Years. Great Place. Check-In was a mess and frustrating, but I find that seldom goes smoothly. After check-in, everything was great!!!

A full eight days, and our only charge were spa treatments my wife and I treated ourselves to. We also did an excursion, which was a little over $100/person.

As for tipping, I brought about $100 in ones with me, and probably spent $60-70 on tips. Mike (comment above) is about right. $1 per item (drink) and maybe $2/person for dinner and sit down meals. $1/person for buffet. Whether it's included or not, 1) about $10/day is a small price to pay to show your appreciation for good service 2) these workers need it a lot more than you do (since you're staying at a place that runs roughly $500/night (and even if you're on points, that's even more of a reason to spend $10/day on tips). They workers truly appreciate it, and although I was never made to feel obligated to tip, I felt the workers definitely appreciated it.

BTW, spent Christmas 2014 at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta and loved that too (probably even a little more than Cabo, as that felt a little smaller and more boutique)

We tipped pretty much as described by other commenters. $1 per item and $1 per person at buffets. Then we tipped more at the a la carte restaurants in the evening. There were plenty of people who didn't tip and none of the servers seemed upset about it. But we thought it was an appropriate acknowledgement for the very warm and helpful service from everyone at the Ziva.

@Credit - They have a premium wine list you can order from that isn't included. It will be part of the restaurant post. Spa services are also an extra charge. But, as far as anything in your room, it's all free.

I never tip at buffet style restaurants where you get up and serve the food yourself. I guess being from Australia where tipping isn't customary (as we have one of the highest minimum wages in the world) this concept is all a bit foreign to us. I remember being in Las Vegas last year and going to the buffet at The Excalibur where you paid upon entry and there was a space for a tip on the bill. Needless to say I didn't tip because I thought the only thing they will do is show me to the table, everything was self-serve, including drinks. I didn't get a great look though from the cashier when I just paid the exact amount!

Ivan - in Vegas, tips at the buffet are usually in cash left at your table for the server who gets your beverages and clears your table. Most people don't put the tip on the credit card slip when they pay on entry - well, at least I don't - you don't know what kind of service you're going to get yet. The cashier wouldn't even care because they don't share in the tips. If the cashier gave you a dirty look, it must have been for another reason.

Is "Bottomline" now one word?

@Mark - fixed. thx

Can you confirm your room type you had?

Wow.....Yes we usually tip a buck or two for drinks but if service is great we leave about 20$. I figure at home we can easily spend 120$ for a nice meal so spending that amount for a whole weeks worth of nice meals is really nothing. Guess we go overboard but still I think of how lucky we are to be able to spend this much on vacation (about 4x/yr) and the employees at the hotel can't so ......