The answer is no, for the most part. Tips (and taxes) are already included in your rate at Sandals. In fact, it’s against their policy for Sandals employees to accept tips, so giving them money could get them into trouble.

However, this is not the case for a few select categories of people you’ll encounter during a Sandals vacation. In this article we’ll tell you all you need to know about tipping at Sandals Resorts.

You will want to bring some cash with you on your trip for the tips mentioned below. No need to get it exchanged into local currency—U.S. dollars are accepted (and generally preferred) at all Sandals resorts—but you can do so if you want to tip locals in their own currency.

Tipping On the Way to and from a Sandals Resort

All Sandals rates include complimentary round-trip transportation to and from the airport at your destination, but the Sandals no-tipping policy doesn’t apply to the airport transportation drivers. Tipping them is recommended. This can range anywhere from a few dollars to $10 or more, depending on the service and length of the trip.

Also at the airport are luggage handlers who you should tip a couple of dollars per suitcase.

Once you reach your Sandals location, you will not need to tip any resort staff, with a few exceptions.

Sandals No-Tipping Policy

Sandals Resorts has a firm no-tipping policy for the majority of its staff, including bartenders, waiters, bellhops, concierge staff, and cleaners. They could get fired for accepting a tip, so please don’t try to offer them money.

If someone has gone above and beyond and you want to recognize them, you can tell them thank you, praise them to management, and mention them by name in a positive review on platforms like Google and TripAdvisor. We do know that they can be recognized and get awarded based on these reviews.

There are some exceptions to this policy that you should be aware of.

Tipping Sandals Spa Staff

Every Sandals resort has a full spa onsite. Services are not included, so this is an optional extra you can choose to book. If you do have a spa service, the staff are not bound by the Sandals no-tipping policy. You will notice a 20% gratuity that is automatically applied to your bill and you can also tip them extra if you wish.

Tipping Sandals Butlers

Another option you have at Sandals is to book a butler-level suite. These are the most luxurious and unique suites at each resort, and they come with personal butler service.

Your butlers (usually a team of 2-3) will go above and beyond to make your trip exceptional, with services like private check-in in your suite, private resort tours, help unpacking, making reservations for dinner and spa services, recommending and booking excursions, reserving beach and pool chairs, escorting you to dinner, bringing you drinks and snacks wherever you are throughout the day, and more.

For all of this exceptional service, they should receive tips. Recommendations on how much to tip Sandals butlers range from about $20-$30 per butler per day to a percentage of your total stay. You can tip each day or wait until the end of the stay and give each butler a separate envelope with their tip. It’s a nice touch to include a thank-you note, especially if they delivered really excellent service. Cash is preferred for butler tips.

For more information, you can read our full article about tipping Sandals butlers here.

Sandals Barbados and Royal Barbados Staff

In Barbados, it’s against the law to prohibit tipping, so you are able to tip the staff at the Sandals resorts there. However, the Sandals management still frowns upon it.

While Offsite at a Sandals Resort

During your Sandals vacation, you have the option to explore the area on your own or book a guided excursion (for an extra cost). Even though you can book your excursion through Sandals, the tour company that handles them is separate and their staff should be tipped. This includes tour guides and drivers.

You should also tip any local taxi drivers, wait staff, bartenders, or other service staff who help you during your time away from the resort.

Cash is the best for these tips, which can range from a few dollars to $20 or more, depending on the service rendered/total bill. A good starting point is 15% of your bill.