Groups and tipping

Do you add a surcharge for the housekeeper's tip when you host groups?
Scenario: our experience has been that groups don't tip. They especially don't tip if one person is picking up the tab. My assumption is they think that person is leaving a group tip.
So, the housekeeper runs around like crazy with guests who are in and out all day and she gets nothing but her paycheck for all the effort.
Should we institute a group tip the way restaurants do for large groups? Say 5 or more rooms?

Do you have tip envelopes? Not sure the person "responsible" always wants to pick up everyone's tip as well...

We don't solicit tips from anyone - couples or groups. If they leave one, great.

I would put on your website, there is an additional service fee for housekeeping for group rentals. Then you could tack it on automatically to the bill.

No, usually the season crowd tips regardless. (It's those cute thank you cards, I think!) Our groups leader usually tack on some money for tips and some individual tip. We are noticing that the airdoublebers don't tip at all.

I think it would be fine for you to add a surcharge for groups. Groups are much more work for the housekeeper and she should be compensated for that. Just make sure you let them know ahead of time.

No. In fact, a lot of groups that booked with me were looking for a discount.
I'd love it if they tipped housekeeping for what I perceived as extra work, but I did not want to get involved in the whole tip process since I said they were not tipped employees for tax purposes.
Also, they earned more than I did (and that's the sad truth).

seashanty said:

No. In fact, a lot of groups that booked with me were looking for a discount.
I'd love it if they tipped housekeeping for what I perceived as extra work, but I did not want to get involved in the whole tip process since I said they were not tipped employees for tax purposes.
Also, they earned more than I did (and that's the sad truth).

.

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Totally forgot about the tax aspect. Right.

a surcharge and a gratuity are two different things. Charge a surcharge, don't expect a gratuity.

Joey Bloggs said:

a surcharge and a gratuity are two different things. Charge a surcharge, don't expect a gratuity..

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Joey Bloggs said:

a surcharge and a gratuity are two different things. Charge a surcharge, don't expect a gratuity.

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You're right. I used the wrong terminology.
Should have asked about adding a tip rather than a surcharge.

We charge dearly for groups of 5 cottages or more. They leave more trash, they make more of a mess, they are loud (can't charge for that, I know)
All in all, it is a huge charge to actually discourage family reunions. We absolutely hate having all that hubbub here. We like this place to be and stay calm and relaxed, not drunk and dirty.

Morticia said:

Should we institute a group tip the way restaurants do for large groups? Say 5 or more rooms?

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DEFINITELY