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Tipping Question
Hi Lucky,
Thanks for your recommendations about going to Al Maha…I just went yesterday and it was fantastic. I did want to ask you at some point to write
Hi Lucky,
Not sure what happened on my last note trying again. I just went to Al Maha and it was amazing and it was definitely the best use of Starwood points for me, too.
It lead me to ask a question though. Al Maha is expensive if you pay for it – roughly $1,700 for one night. I tipped throughout my stay small amounts but at the end I was wondering what you recommend on a point stay for the resort and for activities/dining/delivery of things to the villa/etc.
Thanks,
Robert
It’s tricky — there’s a 10% service charge that you would pay on a revenue rate, but that’s covered by the points. So based on that I typically wouldn’t find it necessary to leave an additional tip.
In the UAE, however, the service charge is only required to “benefit the staff,” not necessarily be distributed to the staff directly. On the other hand, tipping isn’t expected at all, though we did what you did and tipped small amounts to people providing various services.
I don’t think there’s a wrong approach, and people should do what they’re most comfortable with in this case.
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