My hotel room has a 3-inch gap in the curtain closure and the room overlooks a courtyard. So it’s easy to see into rooms, especially at night when the lights are on. I know … since I took a glance out the window to see how many other rooms could be peeped into.

For times like this when you want closure to the issue, a few things will work and all depends on what may be in your suitcase:

1. Use duct tape to tape the curtain panels closed. A small amount of duct tape wrapped around a pencil and tossed into your bag before you travel is a good pre-emptive measure.
2. Use a chip clip to pull the curtains closed. Again, this needs forethought to have a multi-purpose clip in your bag … the type of clips typically sold to keep bags of chips or snacks closed.
3. Use a slacks hanger from the closet. Assuming the hotel hangers are not permanently affixed to the closet rod (said hotels are usually off my list once I find this!), a slacks hanger does the trick!

Option 3 worked perfectly for me in my current hotel room. I’m now comfortable in my room sitting at the desk knowing the courtyard peepers will have to find another place to peep.

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com. Watch for my new book, Business Travel Success – How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence, being published by Morgan James in early 2012.

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com. Watch for my new book, Business Travel Success – How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence, being published by Morgan James in early 2012.

I no longer felt the need to just retire to the room as soon as I got back to my hotel!

I wasn’t done with my Marriott experience yet. Flying out of Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental airport (Terminal E), I got to experience Courtyard Marriott’s new Airport Lobby Zone. What they are doing is giving business travelers their new Lobby experience in the middle of a busy terminal. Comfortable seating and a few outlets let me recharge (my body and my laptop) before flying out. Outside of Houston, the Airport Lobby Zones are also in Phoenix and Baltimore through December .

To celebrate the Courtyard Lobby redesign and the Airport Lobby Zones, Marriott is giving away two free nights to any continental U.S. Courtyard! This contest is open just to Smart Women Travelers and our blog (Pearls of Travel Wisdom) readers, and it’s really easy to enter.

1. Post a comment below and tell us what you look for most in a hotel lobby.
2. “Like” Smart Women Traveler’s on Facebook.

I also came across this interesting video on Marriott’s design process if you’d like to see a little behind the scenes on how they put together the new lobbies.

Courtyard by Marriott has offered these nights for the contest. They’ve invited me back for a complimentary stay, as well. Maybe I’ll see you in the lobby!

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com. Watch for my new book, Business Travel Success – How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence, being published by Morgan James in 2011.

I’m still on “Island Time”, but look forward to articles on great activities that you must do in a Jamaican visit, as well as another Smart Women Travelers’ “Sights From” video. First things first, I’d like to share with you one of my most pleasurable hotel stays at the Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall.

The Hotel

Located just outside of Montego Bay, and just a quick jaunt from Sangster International Airport, the Iberostar Grand Hotel offered a great location for my visit. The hotel itself is, of course, on the beach, and close to some of the more adventurous activities to the East and the more leisurely attractions to the West. The Montego Bay Convention Center, the largest convention center in the English-speaking Caribbean, is a mere five minute drive away. And if you’re looking to get some golfing in, a round at nearby Cinnamon Hill Golf Course is included in your stay.

Don’t let the simple exterior of Iberostar Grand deceive you! The interior design of the hotel must be seen to be believed. From the lobby to the beachside bars, the little details all over the property were fantastic.

The Grand is just one of the three hotels on site. With 295 rooms that limit occupancy to only two people, it is the more adult friendly of the three. The other two hotels are The Suites and The Beach, with the former offering larger rooms and more amenities than the later. All three hotels are all-inclusive with both fine dining options alongside casual ones.

The Room

My home away from home at The Grand was wonderful.  The bathroom included two sinks, a jacuzzi bathtub, and a rain shower head. The hallway had a daily stocked mini-fridge, as well as more storage space than I could use. Each room comes with a butler (yes, a butler!) who had no issue with me requesting more apple juice in the fridge or ordering a firmer pillow off of the room’s pillow menu.

Room Service is included at no additional charge, just in case getting out of the comfortable bed proves too taxing. My view overlooking the courtyard and pools was slightly obstructed by palm trees, but I still enjoyed some time out there on the comfortable patio furniture.

Even though it would have been nice to fully unplug from a busy life for a few days, I would have gone through withdrawal.  I did find that electrical outlets were hard to come by. I had to unplug a lamp or iPod dock to power up some of my gadgets. Internet is the room is free of charge, though wired only. My butler brought me an ethernet cord and my login information, but it’d be nice if they told me during check-in or offered wi-fi that went past just the lobby.  (I still can’t believe I had a butler!)

The Restaurants

The Iberostar offered three different ways to dine; the previously mentioned room service, casual dining, and a la carte dining. Aside from a few quick trips to the breakfast buffet and some late night snacks at the after-hours buffet, all of my meals were at the a la carte restaurants. A casual dress code is enforced (so don’t look like you came in right from the beach), but the fare was worth getting “dressed up” for. I wined and dined on seafood, hibachi grilled chicken, and filets, all with delicious appetizers and desserts.

The a la carte restaurants weren’t as crowded as I thought they would have been. I assume that the dress code and 24 hour advance reservations needed turned off a few guests who were in full-on relaxation mode.

ETC…

Speaking of relaxation mode, the hotel wasn’t full of “early-riser” guests. You won’t see a lot of people walking the grounds until after 8, when most of the shops and restaurants open.

At night, the hotel offers theaters, music clubs, karaoke (if you’re feeling adventurous), and a nightclub. The theaters offer a new show every night, and the music clubs have different themed nights. The karaoke was held in a bar that was a little smokey, but still fun. The nightclub was full of young people dancing way past my bed time and everyone looked to be having a great time.

Overall, the Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall comes highly recommended.  You get all-inclusive amenities, tasty restaurants, a great staff and fantastic Montego Bay location.  Oh, and did I mention the butler?

Many thanks to the Jamaica Tourist Board for hosting an awesome trip!

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com. Watch for my new book, Business Travel Success – How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence, being published by Morgan James in 2011.

I often feel like Goldilocks searching for just the right bed and all its fixings.

Well, I’m happy to report that Goldilocks has achieved success!

A friend recommended the Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore. While not a place that I’ll be traveling to for business very often (unfortunately!), it is a wonderful place for first-time and repeating guests to stay.

What makes this hotel fit my Goldilocks standard? You can say it all started with Hello when I first entered my room:

• Large bathroom with a walk-in shower and stand-alone bath tub, decent towels and good lighting
• Thick shampoo and conditioner
• Chaise lounge, perfect for reading in the evening
• A balcony where I can open the doors to let the fresh air in (ok, so the air is a bit humid here) with flowers on the balcony!
• Wireless internet where I can have both my phone and laptop online, with no drops in connection
• Easy access to a good number of electrical outlets
• Quiet from the neighboring rooms … even with the balcony doors open

Add to this:

• A fitness center with lots of machines and a bonus drop-dead gorgeous view of the city
• A spa with a full menu of services
• Onsite restaurants that offer lots of variety
• A connected shopping mall with numerous upscale stores as well as a grocery store, wine store, pharmacy and food court
• A casino for when I feel a few bucks burning a hole in my pocket
• Theaters , a museum and ice skating rink
• A skydeck that I could live at, including an affinity pool, hot tubs, outdoor dining and lush greenery – all from the 57^th floor overlooking the city.
• Nearby vicinity to the business district, tons of shopping and a free shuttle bus to/from the airport.

Can you see why I call this “Success”? There is so much to do here that it would take many visits to say that you’ve eaten in every restaurant and enjoyed every amenity.

It’s such a shame I’m only here for three nights. I definitely need to find a reason to get back here again. Lucky are those who can stay here for repeated business travel, meetings and conventions, and especially a leisurely holiday.

While my minimum room requirements haven’t changed, this sure pushes the bar up higher.

The Marina Bay Sands definitely gets 5 stars from Goldilocks!

Rates for a deluxe room: SG$489.00. Compare to nearby Marriott SG$420.00, Ritz Carlton SG$550, Hilton SG $391.

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com. Watch for my new book, Business Travel Success – How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence, being published by Morgan James in 2011.

There are many things I’ll do while I am out of town rather than wait for my return home: see a doctor if I am feeling ill, get my nails done or book time with a fitness coach. But there is one thing I never do while on that road, and that’s to let someone other than Elaine cut my hair!

Elaine and I meet about every five or six weeks, depending on my travel schedule. She’s very accommodating with the precious few days I have at home each month. When I’m desperate and must, must, must have my hair cut before getting on a plane again, she’ll meet me early on a Saturday morning, late on a Sunday afternoon or at any other time that fits my schedule. For this alone, she has my loyalty! She even works around my Bluetooth headset when I need to be on a conference call while I’m sitting in her chair.

There are other traveling women, however, who enjoy the fun of having a new hair designer in a new city. It can be fun to try a hip new salon, especially in a big city like New York or L.A.

Many consultants who travel to the same city week after week actually have a stylist in their temporary town. They set up repeat appointments for as long as their assignment lasts. This saves them the time of getting their hair done when they’re only at home a few days a week. That can actually be very smart to save time when at home.

There are stylist search sites online. I wrote about Wahanda in Bad Hair Day and You’re Out of Town? Another site is SearchHairStylist.com. You can also engage the help of a hotel concierge to request a hair stylist near your hotel or business.

If you do use the services of an out of town stylist, you may not want to let them know you’re from out of town until after they’re done with your hair! There may be some less than professional stylists out there who will skimp on the quality if they know they’ll never see you again. If you do mention you’re not local, at least say that you’ll be in town multiple times over the next several months and will be in need of a great stylist.

And if you’re ever in need of a great hair style when in Orlando, let me know and I’ll connect you with Elaine!

Here are Diane’s tips for navigating tips, from “Hotel Living” and beyond:

WHO GETS A TIP AT THE AIRPORT?

If you use a skycap it would be appropriate to give him $1 per bag.

If you are in need of a wheelchair or special assistance, the attendant should receive anywhere from $3 to $5 for a short ride from gate to gate, to a more substantial tip for more specialized services such as carting bags and locating relatives.

No, airport security DOES NOT get a tip! (Yes, I have been asked that question many times)

WHAT ABOUT RENTAL CAR AGENTS?

The agent does not get a tip but the shuttle driver does. Depending on how much luggage they assist you with, $1 to $2 per bag.

DO I TIP THE VALET WHEN I ARRIVE AT THE HOTEL AND AGAIN WHEN I LEAVE TO GO SHOPPING AND SITE SEEING?

Unless the valet provided a service such as assisting with luggage, the valet is tipped when they “deliver your car” (departing the hotel for the moment or the day or at check out). In order words, if you plan to arrive and depart your hotel multiple times throughout the day, consider self-parking in the designated self-parking area of the hotel, to eliminate multiple tips for quick visits back to the hotel between excursions.

DO I TIP THE GUY THAT TAKES MY LUGGAGE OUT OF MY CAR AND HANDS IT OFF TO BELLMAN?

Yes, if he provides a service, he gets a tip. Obviously if he does nothing but take the luggage out of the trunk, put it on the luggage cart, and pass you on to the bellman he will get a smaller tip.

WHAT IS A STANDARD TIP FOR A BELLMAN?

The bellman should receive $1 to $2 per bag, depending on how many bags you have and how much they weigh. The tip also depends on what extra services he provides such as getting you ice or retrieving extra towels and soap. If you are trying to cut costs, pack light and invest in luggage with wheels so you can wheel your own luggage to your room.

AM I REQUIRED TO LEAVE A TIP FOR HOUSEKEEPING? HOW OFTEN?

It is the right thing to do and a nice gesture to leave a tip for the housekeeping staff. The housekeepers often change shifts so it is best to leave the tip daily. Bring extra white envelopes, write “Housekeeping” on the outside, and place the envelope on the pillow or someplace you are sure they will see it.

HOW MUCH DO I TIP FOR ROOM SERVICE?

The service provider should receive 15 percent of the bill and more for special assistance.

HOW MUCH DO I TIP THE CONCIERGE?

For picking up the phone and making a 30-second phone call for an easy dinner reservation, a genuine “Thank you” will suffice. For time spent discussing restaurant options and making your reservation, $5. Securing hard to get tickets to the theatre or having a last minute floral arrangement sent to your hotel for your anniversary deserves $20 and upwards.

IS A TIP NECESSARY IN A HOTEL SPA?

Absolutely. Spa attendants rely on tips as well and you can factor 15 to 20 percent of the service. Check to make sure that gratuity is not already included on the bill. If the attendant did a fantastic job, you can leave a small additional tip on top of the gratuity to show your appreciation.

WHAT ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE GUY THAT COMES IN TO FIX A LIGHT OR THE TOILET?

You do not have to tip the maintenance man unless he spends an inordinate amount of time providing a service that is not part of his “job”. This may include helping to set up your computer when he was just called to check the computer cable.

HERE ARE A FEW MORE TIPPING BASICS:

• DOORMAN: $1 if he gets a taxi, $2 if he covers your head and body with an umbrella (How much is it worth to you to arrive at your destination looking good?)
• HOTEL BARTENDER: 15 to 20 percent of the bar tab, minimum of 50 cents for a soda and $1 per alcoholic drink
• HAIRDRESSER AT THE HOTEL: 15 to 20 percent of bill
• MANICURIST/PEDICURIST/MASSAGE TREATMENTS: 10 to 20 percent
• TAXI DRIVER: 15 to 20 percent – consider tipping on the upper end if extra effort is made, including rushing you to your last minute meeting

NO TIPPING POLICIES

Some of the finer hotels and resorts have a no-tipping policy. In this situation, tips are strictly forbidden. Although this may sound like good news, please, rest assured that the price you pay will more than make up for your “tipping freedom”.

A vacation always goes much smoother when the small details have been taken care of so make sure to bring plenty of small bills for tips. This will help insure that all of your service providers will greet you with a warm smile as they attend to your needs. Happy travels!

- Diane Gottsman
Protocol School of Texas

I queried lots of travelers from all walks of life (business travelers, hoteliers, etiquette leaders and more) on the topic of tipping housekeepers. I got a lot of varying answers. Through it all I could see a pattern emerging.

Diane Gottsman is a nationally recognized etiquette expert and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in corporate etiquette training. She agrees that tipping is a huge issue for everyone – it’s very confusing! She recommends travelers to bring extra white envelopes, write “Housekeeping” on the outside, and place the envelope on the pillow or someplace you are sure they will see it. Tip daily. (If you need envelopes, the hotel’s Front Desk can usually supply them.)

Barbara Williamson of bestfriends.org feels that the maids who take pride in their job and give you a sparkling room to stay in deserve a tip. She tries to learn the names of the maids and calls them by their name when she sees them again. When she does know their name, she writes their name on an envelope that contains a tip.

Jan Cullinane, co-author, The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide to the Rest of Your Life says that she used to be sporadic about tipping maids at hotels. But after reading Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich, she always tips. Ehrenreich’s searing account of working as a hotel maid changed Jan’s haphazard tipping practices permanently. I’ve read this book, as well. It’s an eye-opener on minimum wage jobs and very well worth the read.

Constance Hoffman, Coach, Speaker and Owner of Social & Business Graces has authored “Tips on Tipping.” She recommends $3-5 per day considering you are not the messy type, and to always leave the cash, no change, on the desk or television stand along with a brief note of a simple “Thank You”. Never leave the money on the night stand nor on the pillow/bed where it can be confusing as to whether it’s for the maid or not. If someone makes a special trip just for your request, it is appropriate to tip them. (I do not usually tip the maid if they have forgotten to supply my room with towels, coffee or tissue.)

Gail S. Leicht of skinnyguide.com noticed that if she didn’t leave a note or something, the maid wouldn’t necessarily take the money. So she’s gotten into the habit of writing a “Thanks” note and leaving this with the money.

Cathy Svacina follows a similar practice of leaving a daily minimum of $2.00 or more if her husband is traveling with her. She tips the very first morning of her stay, and writes a note thanking them for her clean room. She gets excellent service from then on out and she continues to tip each day. Cathy always put the money specifically on the table with a note so they have no questions that it is for them, along with a smiley face that translates across all languages!

Mary Federico, a domestic and international business travel for 30 years, used to leave her tip at the end of her stay until a colleague pointed out that the same person doesn’t necessarily do the same room every day, and might have a day off on the last day of Mary’s stay. So now she tips every day, usually $3-5, depending on the room.

Another long-time business traveler didn’t know if cash tips were allowed to go on her expense report so she generally did not tip. This is another confusing area and corporate travel departments should be clear to document their policy on cash tips.

Randy Morris from the Middlebury Inn in Middlebury, Vermont has experience as a housekeeper, server, room service attendant and Food & Beverage Manager. Randy points out that that over the years tipping has dramatically decreased. 75% of the time, people no longer tip for luggage, room service or housekeeping. What many people don’t realize, Randy says, is that the people in these positions are usually paid minimum wage with the expectation that the guest will help make up the rest in tips. He said that housekeepers are the hardest working and least appreciated employees of a hotel in particular. They get to clean up our garbage, dirty towels, bathtub, stained sheets, and even worse things, too disgusting to mention, from some guests.

Randy suggests that $2 a day is a good minimum but he usually tries to leave $5. If you have kids or know you really made a mess of the room, leave a little more (similar to what should be done in a restaurant setting), and he tips daily. With his experience in the hotel business, he says that most housekeepers take care of a maximum of 10 rooms. If you break it down to $2 a day, they will receive a tip of $20 per 7 hour shift – not really much when you consider how hard they have to work for this.

Bruce Claver, CRDE (certified rooms division executive) at The Union League Club of Chicago is a hotel professional with 20+ years in hospitality who concurs with Randy Morris. Bruce adds that if you would like to leave the tip at the end of your stay, ask the room attendant ahead of time if it will be his or her day off on your departure date (or contact the Executive Housekeeper). Also, realize that there are males who service rooms.

After watching the television show “Undercover Boss” with the CEO of Choice Hotels, I definitely have a more realistic picture of what housekeepers deal with each day. If you haven’t seen this show, here’s a link to the full episode: CBS Undercover Boss with Choice Hotels. Watch it before the video expires.

So to sum up the answers, tips for housekeepers are suggested to be $2 to $5 each day, tipped daily, in an envelope or with a handwritten note of thanks, in a clear area where the housekeeper understands that it’s for them. Simple and clear!

Now I can rest easier. My accounting mindset just couldn’t deal with squishy guidelines and inexact rules. Enough of you have responded with consistent answers that I now feel I’m doing the right, or at least the most common, thing when it comes to tipping a hotel maid.

For even easier hotel tipping (or should I say ‘no-tipping?’), you may want to stay at The Elysian Hotel, a luxury property in Chicago. The Elysian has adopted a no-tipping policy, a move that breaks with standard practices across the high-end- and luxury-hotel market. So just when you think you finally know how to tip, you don’t have to!

P.S. One final thought directed at hoteliers: One of the reasons why guests may not tip the maid is that they do not have small bills to do so. You may want to have a sign at the Front Desk prompting guests to ask for small denominations if needed. I’ve asked at many a hotel and found that change for a $20 bill was not available, in which case my maid went untipped. Just a thought.

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