Few things have been more controversial pertaining to travel over the years than the general topic of leaving gratuities at hotel properties — but is this a better idea?
Gratuities at Hotel Properties: Is This a Better Idea?
The better idea is something which I encountered while at resort properties in such countries as Fiji and Vanuatu: a Christmas Staff Fund.
Contributions to Christmas Staff Funds are entirely voluntary; and the funds are purportedly shared equally among all members of the staff of the hotel or resort property. Moreover, the contributions of those funds can be added to the folio upon request and be paid with a credit card, which can result in having a record of the payment while simultaneously potentially receiving benefits that are offered by the bank which issued the credit card.
Final Boarding Call
The service was good enough at one of the resort properties at which I stayed where I was more than happy to voluntarily contribute to the Christmas Staff Fund. No “hard sell” was experienced.
Granted, no guarantee is given that this system is entirely fair and that the funds are proportionally given to all members of the staff…
…but it certainly beats leaving cash on the night stand in the room, where one never knows in whose pockets the money will wind up…
All photographs ©2025 by Brian Cohen.
