hotels - Pitstops for Kids

How much to tip: hotel and family vacation guidelines

September 12, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Don’t you hate that feeling when you don’t know whether you should tip or not? I do! And the more I travel and write about travel, the more I realize how many families are confused how much to tip. Hotel rates aside, when should we tip? Who should we tip, and how much? There’s no ‘correct’ way to tip, and opinions vary. However, after years of tipping during travel and talking with travel industry professionals across the US and Canada, I’ve compiled the following vacation tipping guidelines for family trips.

Tipping in hotels:

Everyone knows to tip their waiter (though more on that in a minute) and their cab driver, but the majority of tipping confusion happens once parents reach their hotel. In three-to-five star hotels, tipping is expected, and how many hotel staff members earn their living. Here’s what we do:

Valet:

I love valet parking, mostly because I hate finding parking spaces in cities. When I chose to valet park, I know I need to add the cost of tipping into my budget. There’s wisdom in the advice to tip at the onset of any interaction for best service, but we tip a valet whenever we receive our car. Since we go in and out of valet several times during any hotel stay, we spread our tip among several valets this way.

How much to tip: we tip a valet $3-$5 whenever our car is brought to us.

Front desk:

Ok. While tipping hotel housekeeping is a given for me, I do not tip the front desk staff member when I check into hotels. However: this man or woman does hold the most power to assist you during your stay. He or she has the ability to upgrade you in numerous ways, and I do know travelers who routinely tip their front desk agent in hopes of getting a better room.

How much to tip: If you decide to tip your front desk agent, you need to start with at least a $20. If he or she takes the time to help you with an extra service, such as sending something up to your room, finding that item you left behind, or acting as a concierge, tip in this case as well.

Doormen and bellmen:

Tip these guys! These men (or women, despite the antiquated job titles) rely heavily on tips. When they ask if I’d like help with my bags, I say ‘yes’ unless I truly only have one to roll behind me. Once upon a time, I thought the polite answer was, ‘No, I got it, thanks,’ while dragging half a dozen bags behind me. Not so! This is their job, and they get paid when they do it.

How much to tip: we tip $1 per bag, every time they’re touched. On average, when our family of five checks into a hotel and the bellman brings up our five bags, I tip $5. If we have extra items, such as shopping bags, backpacks, etc, I up it to $10.

Room service and poolside service:

We absolutely always tip for room service, and tip pool-side or other resort-grounds service when applicable. Sometimes a charge will be placed on your hotel tab: in this case, it’s very easy to tip when you sign for the item. This works best at the pool, where you won’t want to fiddle with cash.

How much to tip: we tip $3-5 for a standard room service delivery.

Housekeeping:

Another hardworking group that’s often overlooked. I worked in housekeeping two full summers as a teen, and will never take their work for granted! Some families prefer to tip housekeeping one time at the end of their stay, but since staff often rotates, and to ensure goodwill exists during our stay, not just after we’re gone, we tip daily.

How much to tip: we tip $1 per day per person in the room. If you tip daily, be sure to leave the tip under the little card or note usually left by your housekeeper, so they don’t mistake it with cash you’ve simply left out.

Spa staff:

If you visit the spa during your hotel stay, it customary to add a tip to your total at checkout. This is perhaps the easiest tip to leave at a hotel: simply add the amount to your total when paying at the desk. If you put your spa service on your room charge, leave a cash tip at the counter for your spa staff member.

How much to tip: I tip 10% of the cost of my service.

Tipping for tours and experiences:

Tip your guide! But tipping tour guides can be tricky: it’s hard to know when it’s appropriate. In general, I’ve found that any tour guide working for a private company (such as a concessionaire within a national park or a city or nature tour business) accepts tips. Tip at the end of your interaction together, when you’re thanking him or her for your day. If you’re in doubt as to whether to tip, ask! I always say, “This was great! We had such a nice day. Are you able to accept tips?”

Note regarding all-inclusive, multi-day tour experiences: if you’re with a travel company for multiple days, such as a tour through Europe or a guided rafting trip, tip at the end of the vacation. Budget this tip into your vacation cost: we’ve tipped as much as the cost of one person’s airfare for very high-end multi-day tour experiences. Keep in mind that some local experts during your trip (such as a guide while on an African safari) do not work directly for your tour company and may expect a separate tip. Your tour company can advise you on this.

How much to tip: we tip 10% of the total cost of the tour (single day or multi-day). If our day snowshoe tour is $50 per person and we spent $250, we tip $25. If our (hypothetical) safari is $10,000, we’d tip $1000.

Tipping drivers:

I tip all drivers, from cab drivers to airport shuttle drivers to tour bus drivers. How much to tip: $1 per person for shorter drives or shuttle drivers helping with luggage. For drivers taking us around all day, we tip at least $20.

Tipping on cruises:

Like tipping for multi-day tours or all-inclusive experiences, tipping on cruises should be considered part of your cruise cost. If necessary, budget accordingly. Many cruise lines make tipping easy by offering a standard tip percentage to be added to your onboard charge at the end of a cruise, but you can also tip independently. When servers, housekeeping, and bartenders remain constant on cruise ships, we tip once at the end of the cruise. No need to mess with cash every day. More details on tipping on a Disney cruise.

How much to tip: we use this cruise tipping chart. It’s designed for Disney cruises, but will work as a guideline for any cruise experience.

Tipping in restaurants:

I think we all know what to do here. I tip 20% if service is good, and more if I’m dining with a baby or toddler who spills half his or her food on the ground (I also try to pick up what I can). I don’t know if I’ve ever not tipped, but I definitely leave closer to 10% if service is bad. While in restaurants, don’t forget about the bartender: if you start your meal at the bar and migrate to a table, leave a tip on the bar. This advice may not be applicable often if traveling with kids, as you’re not likely to be in the bar area.

As noted above, these tipping guidelines are not meant to be absolutes. The tip amounts listed are what our family uses as a guideline; when we can, we tip more. We are almost always on a tight budget when we travel. Your family’s budget may vary. No matter what your budget, I believe it’s better to tip what you can rather than tip nothing at all.

I invite you to share your own tipping standards in the comments, whether you’re a traveler, work in the travel industry, or both! If I’ve missed a main category of travel industry personnel to tip, please let me know.

Photo credit: Roosevelt New Orleans, Flickr/LightCollector

Lodging near Joshua Tree National Park

August 5, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

The first time we visited Joshua Tree National Park, we stayed in Indian Cove campground and spent almost all our time within the park boundaries. We never regret spending time in parks; however, several unique lodging opportunities exist in nearby 29 Palms and by the unincorporated town of Joshua Tree. Looking for lodging near Joshua Tree? Here’s where to stay hear Joshua Tree National Park if you don’t plan to camp.

29 Palms Inn:

On a first drive through the desert town of 29 Palms, it may not be evident that there’s much to stop for. Not so. This gateway to Joshua Tree National Park has a lively, artistic community with fun dining options and an amazing resort at 29 Palms Inn.

Located on 70 acres, 29 Palms Inn is centered around the Oasis of Mara (acquired by the Southern Pacific Railroad during the railroad boom). Guests can still walk right up to the oasis (on site) and explore it. The 29 Palms Inn was established in the 1920s, and is now owned by the Grunt family, who run it locally along with the Roughly Manor. Everything about the Inn celebrates the desert landscape, with much of the resort property outdoors. The pool, office, and restaurant comprise the heart of the inn, with sandy walking paths leading around cacti and brush to multiple stand-alone adobe and wooden cabins, rooms, and studios. The dining area is indoor-outdoor, and there’s an outdoor living room space just beside the pool for relaxing in the shade.

Amenities:

We love that sleeping spaces are roomy (perfect for families!) and that breakfast is included. Every morning, guests will find a healthy, homemade breakfast served buffet style. During our visit, we found steel cut oatmeal with toppings, breads and coffee cake, fresh fruit, juice, and coffee.

Lunch and dinner are served (at extra cost) in the same poolside building, featuring produce from the inn’s very own organic garden, Faultline Farm. Picnic lunches are also available to go for $10 each, so you can leave to enjoy the park without stopping for groceries.

Yoga and nature walks are offered on the weekends, and the heated pool is available to guests every day. There are plenty of places for kids to explore and play outdoors, which I appreciate. Hammocks are hung by the garden, and the Creative Center artist studio is located within easy walking distance on site. Here, families can paint a canvas or pottery with artist (and Inn family member) Heidi Grunt.

Lodging options:

Lodging options range from a stand-alone adobe cottage with a complete kitchen, living space, and outdoor patio perfect for a whole family, to single rooms ideal for adults traveling solo. Rates are in the $150 range. Check for latest prices.

Roughley Manor:

Also owned by the Grunt family, Campbell House is very different than 29 Palms Inn, but has the same relaxed vibe and love for the outdoors and nature in common. Founded in 1925 as the Campbell’s Ranch (the Campbells have a history with the Oasis of Mara as well), Roughley Manor was turned into a bed and breakfast in 1994. The manor and grounds are designed in a serene English manor style, with gardens, shade trees, and stonework. While in stark contract to the desert landscape, Roughly Manor somehow just works, creating an oasis of its own for families exploring Joshua Tree.

Amenities:

The manor serves a full breakfast included in the room rate. There’s also an outdoor pool, and acres of landscaped flower gardens, fruit trees, and courtyards to relax in. Kids can play Bocce Ball in front of the manor, as well as chess.

Lodging options:

Most rooms are stand-alone cabins and cottages that dot the property, complete with kitchenettes (microwaves, mini-fridges, and sinks) and bathrooms with tubs. Most have a small porch. Some rooms also are offered inside the manor house, for a total of 12 options. Like the Inn, rates are around $150.

Bonus lodging option:

Families who are adventurous but also ready for a special, spiritual Joshua Tree lodging experience may want to consider the eco-friendly, sustainable earth bag built domes at Bonita Domes. Rented through AirBnb, two sleeping pods in the Bonita Domes ‘village’ anchor an outdoor kitchen, kiva pit, and shower pod. An additional unit is also for rent in the main home.

Bonita Domes are owned and operated by contemporary medicine woman and Joshua Tree resident Lisa Starr. Because Bonita Domes is also Lisa’s home, she rightfully asks for respect and reverence in this special space. We recommend bringing children who are ready for the experience of sleeping in a pod, being tuned with the outdoors, and can appreciate this special place.

Lisa also offers shamanic medicine sessions at the kiva pit, which I was lucky to experience. The session takes about an hour (sometimes more) and involves a rhythmic drum cadence and meditation. No experience is needed…just an open mind to enjoy the experience. Sessions are $150 each, and not required during the stay (but recommended for families with older kids).

Pit for later!

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced these lodging options and the drum medicine session as a guest, for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

Educational travel: hotel programs that teach while vacationing

September 11, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Will you be pulling your kids out of school this year for travel? You can admit it here…we do it too! While we believe that travel aids a child’s education, we also value the lessons they’re learning in school. Therefore, when we do take kids out of class, we try to find museums to visit or hotel programs for kids that offer classes, lessons, or special programming. Below, our favorite hotel brands for families, and what they’re offering kids this autumn:

Appalachian Mountain Club lodges, Vermont:

For families planning a fall foliage getaway or a winter trip into the outdoors, AMC’s Highland Center offers eco and educational programming for kids as young as three. Located in the White Mountains on the Appalachian Trail, their L.L. Bean room comes stocked with family-friendly equipment and their staff offers nature walks and hikes geared toward families. Plus, the Highland Center won’t break the bank: rooms are affordable and meals are communal.

Select Ritz Carlton hotels:

Select Ritz Carlton hotels offer Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program. We reviewed their Laguna Niguel snorkeling excursion last summer, and are pleased to see the program offered in several locations, including Maui. Kids begin their Ambassadors of the Environment program in a classroom–don’t worry, it’s fun–where they see a slideshow about the marine animals they will encounter and learn about the unique environment local to the hotel. Guides then take kids (and parents too, if they sign up) off-site to snorkel, take a beach walk, or explore local flora and fauna in another capacity. Water bottles and snacks are included, as well as a photo CD of the experience.

Dar Les Cigognes, Morocco:

This boutique hotel converted from a wealthy merchant’s home offers private cooking classes which can be booked by visiting families. Amanda Mouttaki of Maroc Mama tried out a cooking class with her child, and loved how the class was completely customizable (great for food allergies). Traditions in Moroccan food were explained, and of course, the final product was happily consumed.

Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland:

Travel writer Jen Miner of the Vacation Gals experienced authentic, wild falconry with her kids during a family visit to this well-known hotel. The British School of Falconry was established at Gleneagles, which means the kids were taught this ancient sport by actual professionals in the field. Gleneagles also offers a wide array of additional sports and outdoor activities for families, including archery. Note: not up for an international trip? Falconry is also taught to families staying at the Woodstock Inn, Vermont.

Masseria Torre Coccaro, Italy:

This working farm-turned hotel in Puglia, Italy allows kids to cook with the resort chef before eating their creations, including pasta and pizza. Families learn about the olive groves in this part of the country, and the mills that produce food. Learn more on Global Mouse Travels about their stay and culinary adventures at Masseria Torre Coccaro.

Turtle Beach Resort, Barbados:

At all-inclusive Turtle Beach Resort, Barbados, kids can take dialect lessons –children on the island speak with Bajan accents–and learn a few words of island slang. Pastry classes are also offered, where kids use local ingredients such as noni flour and cactus, and families can play beach cricket with hotel staff…an island favorite. Best of all for animal lovers and budding marine biologists, kids staying at Turtle Beach can learn from Turtle Pioneers, experts on the dozens of turtles that nest here each year.

Preferred Hotels (international):

We love the Preferred Hotels brand so much, I contribute to their Preferred Family website, dedicated to family travel. It’s easy to see at a glance which Preferred hotels are kid-friendly on the Preferred Family site (criteria for the distinction includes kids’ clubs, kid-friendly dining, and kids’ programming). The best Preferred properties will offer an array of classes for kids from golf clinics to scuba lessons. Send the kids to the tennis courts or to the nature trail with Preferred the next time you book Preferred!

Mountain View Grand Resort, New Hampshire:

This luxury mountain property is all about bringing kids to the outdoors, and the outdoors in. According to Luxe Recess, the Mountaineering Club is where kids gather for screen-free activities ranging from frog races to cardboard box races in the pool. Best of all, this programming is free during the day time hours. Mountain View also hosts a ‘meet the farmer activity’, during which guests can collect eggs and interact with sheep, llamas, cattle, and alpacas.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji:

Lucky enough to be headed to Fiji? Last year, we told you about Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort‘s Learn and Play programming, outdoor and hotel programming designed for families and school-aged kids. Kids 6-12 even help out in the hotel kitchen, assisting the resort chef to create a meal start to finish. This year, the resort has added their Connect with Kids program, a unique and culturally educational travel experience for children and their parents staying at the resort. This new program allows families to head off-site to visit a local primary school to meet children of similar age groups in their classroom and participate in that day’s curriculum.

Atmosphere Resorts and Spa, Philippines:

With an in-house biologist and a marine sanctuary right at its doorstep, this property in Dumaguete is a natural choice for families looking to educate themselves during vacation. The resort offers kids’ classes in marine biology and art, all in a relaxed atmosphere. Read more on Globetotting.com.

The American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin:

This five-star resort is known for golf, but they start ’em young. In addition to more mainstream children’s programming, parents can sign kids up for private golf session that include video and swing analysis software. The crew at Road Trips for Families tried it out, noting that families can group siblings together in one lesson, a nice cost-savings.

Want to find educational pit stops in addition to educational opportunities at hotels and resorts? Check out Trekaroo’s Road School series!

Photo credit: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji and Amy Whitley

Gettysburg with kids: where to eat and tour in town

August 27, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

The heart of the Gettysburg experience is undoubtedly the National Military Park battlefield sites. However, Gettysburg with kids isn’t complete without spending time in and around town. Because Gettysburg in 1863 was much smaller than the Gettysburg of today, what is now town space featuring motels and restaurants was once farmland and battlefield. Throughout the town, houses sport plagues and flags marking them as Civil War homes, and unmarked graves of Confederate soldiers still inhabit the land in town. Here’s what to do (and where to eat) in Gettysburg to round out your historical experience.

Shriver Museum:

The Shriver House shriverhouse.org is located on Baltimore Street within walking distance of most motels and B&Bs, and shows children what life was like for the civilians of Gettysburg during and after the battle. On this guided tour, I learned about the Shriver family (a typical family living in Gettysburg) and their actions and experiences during those three fateful days in July. The house has been totally restored to the period, and kids can walk through each room, seeing the kitchen, parlor, and bedrooms as they would have appeared. Admission is under $10 for adults and under $7 for kids. Plan on the tour taking 30 minutes. Location: 309 Baltimore Street.

General Lee’s Headquarters Museum:

This free museum civilwarheadquarters.com highlights the battle of Gettysburg, particularly the buildings located at 401 Buford Ave, which served as Lee’s headquarters during the battle. Families can see artifacts and exhibits, and check out the museum store, which has many books about Lee and the war. Location: 401 Buford Ave.

Civil War History Store:

This shop, and many others along Steinwehr, feature an eclectic mix of interesting historical souvenirs, books, replica uniforms and hats, and straight up junk souvenirs. The mix is too much to resist, and we spent a full evening browsing the shops and checkout out shell casings, musket balls, t-shirts, and toy rifles.

Gettysburg Eddie’s:

This family-friendly restaurant is named for baseball Hall of Famer Eddie Plank. No, it has nothing to do with Civil War history, but it’s a fun diversion, and the food is great. Fare ranges from fish and chips and burgers to pasta and sandwiches. Try the beer on tap, or get a plate of onion rings to share. Location: 217 Steinwehr Ave.

Farnsworth House Inn:

This upscale eating establishment appeals because of its inviting front patio, which is shaded and peaceful. But the real treat is the Dutch Pennsylvania food. Entrees come with pickled watermelon rinds, spoon bread, bread and apple butter, and a pick of sides like pumpkin fritters or slaw. We were full before our main course came! Location: 401 Baltimore St.

Sleepy Hollow of Gettsyburg Candlelight Ghost Tours:

The Sleepy Hollow of Gettysburg www.sleepyhollowofgettysburg.com tour was very fun for all of us, and informative. Our guide Phyllis was a natural storyteller, and set the mood of this 1.5 hour walking tour with her enthusiasm and friendly personality. Phyllis took us to various homes in a 3-4 block radius and told us stories about their inhabitants during the battle of Gettysburg, including details about possible hauntings or paranormal activity. The tour was not scary to our kids (youngest is nine), but just intriguing enough to keep their watchful eye on the houses and their attention on Phyllis. The tour is not recommended for kids under age 7. There are many ghost tours in Gettysburg, but we recommend Sleepy Hollow for its historic vibe and city tour-focus. A few others take place in one location only, where participants sit in one house or basement waiting for ‘spirits to come’. That sounded too intense to us! The cost is $8 per person. Buy tickets online or at the Farnsworth front desk. Location: Farnsworth House Inn.

Where to stay:

There are multiple historic B&Bs and economy motels in Gettysburg. We stayed at Quality Inn Gettysburg Motor Lodge, which is located within two minutes of the battlefield and visitor’s center, and within walking distance of most Gettysburg town attractions. The Quality Inn has some quirks: outdated decor, older locks and fixtures, and a very unique saloon on-site (which was never noisy), but offers perks that outweigh any negatives: free parking, free wifi, and free breakfast in an adjacent cottage, serving continental hot and cold breakfast items. Some rooms feature three double beds, fitting a family of five or six, another big plus. The Quality Inn also has an outdoor pool with diving board for summer visits, and an indoor pool for winter. Our room was outdated and dark, but the location, amenities like a microwave and fridge, and the pool made up for it.

As we disclose whenever applicable, our stay at Gettysburg was hosted, for the purpose of review. Without the hospitality of hotels and destinations, we would be unable to bring up-to-date reviews to Pit Stops for Kids.

New York City with kids: a stay at Affinia 50

July 4, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

We chose to stay at Manhattan’s Affinia 50 for our kids’ introduction to New York City, and within moments of checking in, I knew we’d made the right decision. It was instantly made clear to me that Affinia 50 does things differently than standard big city hotel chains: they’re small enough to be personal, but large enough to provide the amenities families need.

First off, they deliver on space, a precious commodity in midtown Manhattan. Just as importantly, they know how to use it: their second floor communal Club Room serves as an extended living room for families, not a stuffy lobby. They’re able to provide personalized touches like custom-ordered pillows, walking tours and rubber duckies, and they let families know they’re wanted and welcome with special efforts like movie nights and wine receptions (at the same time!). In fact, from the time we arrived at the doorstep of the Affinia 50 (somewhat bedraggled from a day of cross-continental travel) to the time we departed for Boston, we considered it our oasis in a city that sometimes embraced us, and sometimes kicked our behinds.

During our stay, we got to know names and faces at Affinia 50, from the friendly doorman who always offered us a ‘Cheers!’ (and put up with greetings from Toby’s souvenir plush dog every time we went in or out) to the front desk staff to the concierge. We’d had the opportunity to customize our reservation before we arrived, with options to choose selections from their pillow menu, various experience kits (completely complimentary), and concierge services. I’d asked for a Swedish Memory Foam pillow (simply because I love them), and a ‘Walking Tour Kit’, which was waiting for us in our room. Included was an iPod Nano pre-loaded with walking tours and a pedometer (for use during our stay), which the kids loved using to record their daily mileage through New York.

But what truly makes the Affinia is their Club Room. Located on the second floor, this space is part den, part home entertainment center, part office, and part breakfast nook, and served as our go-to location for recharging our batteries in the late afternoons, as well as our morning escape for complimentary coffee, newspapers, and wifi.

Comprised of three rooms of sofas, arm chairs, fireplaces, and flat screens, there’s enough space that business men and women can be working in some sections (the wifi is free here, though not in the suites or rooms) and kids can be watching a movie or playing games in another. On Sundays, Affinia hosts a movie night with popcorn for the kids coupled with a complementary wine reception for the adults, and on week nights, various themed nights for the kids are on offer (on the day we left, it was to be a Nintendo Sports game night).

Before arriving at the Affinia 50, I was a little worried about the midtown location. Would we be close enough to the park? To the theater district? What about the neighborhood? Would there be kid-friendly restaurants nearby? I shouldn’t have worried. I loved that Affinia 50 is within easy walking distance of Rockefeller Center (straight up 50th) and Times Square (15 minutes). A grocery store is only three blocks away (useful for stocking your full-sized refrigerator), and the Lexington/53rd Street subway station easily gets you uptown or downtown (don’t ask me about crosstown…I never did master that).

We stayed in one of Affinia 50’s a one bedroom deluxe suites, which are amazing for families: first off, they’re huge by Manhattan standards (heck, their standard rooms are huge by Manhattan standards). Booking a suite gets you a full kitchen, living room space (with pull-out double bed), large separate bedroom (ours had two queens), and a decent-sized bathroom. Oh, and a balcony with a fabulous view! They brought us a rollaway too, and we comfortably slept six. The decor was what I’d call comfortably chic, and the bathroom was clearly recently updated. The kitchen was functional and very convenient but not newly appointed (I have a feeling these things are being done in stages) and the balcony was large and a welcome respite in the evenings.

A buffet breakfast is served in the Club Room every morning ($16.95 for adults, $6.95 for kids). We tried it on our last morning and all gave it two thumbs up, but otherwise took advantage of our full kitchen to make breakfast in the room.

Affinia 50 does house a far more extensive exercise room than I expected. Normally, this is just the type of amenity I look for and take advantage of, but this trip, I never used it once…with so much walking in NYC, I didn’t need it…or so I told myself!) There’s no restaurant on-site, but room service is available through Mint, located across the street.

Date last visited: June 2011

Room rates: Ranging from approximately $250-under $400 per night.

Website: Affinia 50

Directions: Affinia 50 is located at 155 E. 50th. Extensive driving directions can be found online, but if you’re without a car and arriving from either airport, I suggest a taxi. Note: I was told by the transit authority that standard fare from either airport to midtown Manhattan would cost $45. Our drive from LaGuardia to Affinia 50 cost me under $30.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I received a substantial media rate for my deluxe suite at Affinia 50. While the hotel’s generosity is appreciated, this rate came with no expectation of a positive review.