Tipping at Sandals Resorts: Here's What You Need to Know

One of the many perks of staying at Sandals Resorts is their luxury all-inclusive experience, which means almost everything is covered in the price you pay upfront—including gratuities.

Sandals follows a no-tipping policy for most staff members to ensure a hassle-free vacation where guests don’t feel pressured to tip for standard services. I see so much value in not needed to worry about small bill throughout your stay.

However, there are a few exceptions, and understanding the proper tipping etiquette can enhance your experience and help you show appreciation for outstanding service.

Understanding the No-Tipping Policy

At Sandals Resorts, employees such as bartenders, waitstaff, housekeeping, concierge, and bellhops are compensated fairly through Sandals’ pay structure, and tipping is not expected or permitted for these roles. This policy ensures that guests receive consistent, high-quality service without feeling the need to provide extra gratuities throughout their stay.

Will I See Other Guests Tipping?

Some Islands to not allow employers to stop the employees from accepting tips. This is the case in Barbados and Antigua may go this way soon.

At these resorts you still do not need to tip, but you may see other guest doing it.

I have only seen it happen a few times and I never felt like people who tipped were being treated any better.

Who Can Accept Tips at Sandals?

There are a few key exceptions where tipping is allowed and, in some cases, expected.

Tipping Your Butler at Sandals

If you book a Butler-level suite, your butler will go above and beyond to provide personalized service, such as:

Reserving poolside or beach cabanas with your preferred setup
Bringing drinks, snacks, or meals to your room or by the pool
Unpacking and repacking your luggage upon request
Securing restaurant reservations and arranging excursions
Providing private in-suite check-in and checkout assistance

Since butlers can accept gratuities, it’s customary to tip them for their personalized service. The general guideline is $20–$30 per day, per butler, depending on the level of service provided.

Cash tips are preferred and can be given daily or in one lump sum at the end of your stay.
If your butler goes above and beyond (e.g., arranging a surprise romantic dinner or running special errands for you), you may consider tipping on the higher end.

Ultimately, tipping your butler is a personal choice, and the amount should reflect your level of satisfaction with their service.

Tipping Spa Therapists at Sandals

If you choose to pamper yourself at the Red Lane® Spa, you’ll notice a 20% service charge is automatically added to the total cost of your treatment. This service charge acts as a built-in gratuity, meaning additional tipping is not required but always appreciated for exceptional service.

Additional Tips for Spa Services:

If your massage therapist or esthetician provided outstanding service, a 5–10% extra tip is a nice gesture.
For services like facials, body wraps, or deep-tissue massages, where extra care is provided, a small cash tip can show your appreciation.
Tips can be left in cash at the spa reception or given directly to your therapist. They can be added to your bill or paid in cash.

Tipping External Service Providers at Sandals

While Sandals Resorts operate under a no-tipping policy, there are external service providers who do accept and appreciate gratuities.

How much do you tip airport porters?

If someone helps with your luggage at the airport, tipping $1–$3 per bag is standard.

How much do you tip transfer drivers?

If someone helps with your luggage at the airport, tipping $1–$3 per bag is standard. For airport transfers, tipping $10–$20 per ride is customary, depending on the length of the journey and number of guest being transported.

How much do you charge for an excursion guide?

If you book an off-property excursion (such as ziplining, snorkeling, or island tours), tipping your guide $5–$20 per person is a nice way to show appreciation for their expertise and hospitality, depending on how involved they are. We had someone ask for a tip after driving us from one activity to the other in the back of a truck that lasted less than 30 seconds so we have them $20. On the other end we had a driver with us for over 6 hours, driving us around, and we tipped him $40. I never know if I’m a good tipper or not but I try.

Alternative Ways to Show Appreciation Without Tipping

Since most staff at Sandals Resorts cannot accept tips, there are other meaningful ways to show your appreciation:

Leave Positive Feedback – Fill out the post-stay survey or mention outstanding staff members by name in TripAdvisor reviews. Recognition helps them earn promotions and bonuses.
Speak to Management – If a staff member provided exceptional service, let a manager know! It helps employees gain internal recognition

Give to the Caribbean

One way I like to “tip” at the resort to show my appreciation. When you check in you can donate to the Sandals Foundation which serves the Caribbean in various ways. The administration of the charitable organization is paid for by Sandals so you know 100% of your donation goes to help people.

Another organization is Pack With A Purpose. On their website, you can see what different organizations require that can be dropped off with the resort.

Tipping at Sandals Resorts is straightforward once you know the rules. While most staff members do not accept gratuities, butlers, spa therapists, and external service providers do appreciate tips for outstanding service. Whether you choose to tip generously or express your gratitude in other ways, knowing proper etiquette ensures a seamless and stress-free experience.

At the end of the day, Sandals prides itself on world-class service, and while tipping is appreciated in certain cases, it’s never expected or required. Simply relax, enjoy, and let the staff take care of everything!

Tipping at Sandals Resorts: Here’s What You Need to Know