Tipping at a cuban all-inclusive resort?
My wife and I have booked a week at Sandals Royal Hicacos in Cuba for the 23rd of February. I have done much research on the resort and others because we are first timers to the all-inclusive Caribbean travel. I am getting a lot of mixed views on 2 certain Q’s on sites such as tripadvisor and so on. I am hoping to find some help here if you could be so kind.
Q #1) My travel agent says to tip in Canadian Dollars which I believe is not so, because I think the loonie or twonie is virtually useless to the cuban staff as they cannot exchange coins. So I guess my Q is….What currancy?..How much?.. and How often?
Q #2) We have a gardenview suite which is the low end I think. This dosen’t matter to us since we don’t intend on being in our room much. But again our agent says there is a stocked (weekly) mini bar fridge in this room. When I checked this out it shows nothing for gardenview but in the premium and concierge have them. So my Q ….Is there a stocked fridge in the gardenview suites and if not can we get it stocked?
Thank You much for any help, and any other tips would be appreciated too.
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Hi there again!
So you decided to book at Sandals! Awesome!
First of all, there are many times when you need to take reviews with a grain of salt. Some people who complain really don’t usually have much to complain about. I have been to resorts where the quality is excellent and there is such a variety of great food, etc, and there seen those who are nothing but unreasonable critics and spoiled ‘brats’.
Sandals would be considered on the high end of resorts.
NOW, to your questions:
A #1) Your travel agent needs to be clearer about using CAD in Cuba. They are accepted however, loonies and toonies are not helpful for them because, as you already mentioned, is not feasible for them to exchange. Bills are better.
That said, just change your money when there to CUC. They’ll give you lots of $1 CUC bills or coins (similar to the loonie).
Personally, I like to tip about $1 CUC a meal…basically $3 a day or more if you like. There are times when I’ve wanted to tip the one who would make my omelettes everyday or another person who makes a special item for me. You’ll know what you’ll want to spend.
I also like to tip the maid who cleans my room. I’ve done so with either CUC or with some nice items (such as toiletries, etc)….the towel attendant, gardeners when they’ve made something for me, and the like.
Bartenders you can choose to tip a nice one once in the day and they’ll just keep it coming for you.
A #2) The gardenview is not necessarily low end. The gardens are tended to beautifully at the Cuban resorts and I’m sure would be beautiful at Sandals. If you want to change to an oceanview, just be really kind to those working at reception and ask if they would kindly move you to an available oceanview room. (You can give them a little box of chocolates as an expression of appreciation for their hard work…just don’t let them think you’re bribing them lol)…either way, there are many times when there are available rooms and they actually can move you. Even if not the first night, try and ask the next day.
If your agent says the fridge will be stocked, then it should be…however, if not, then mention it to someone who works in Public Relations at the hotel and explain that to them. They’ll help you out with that.
If you’re booked as a VIP, then those bookings usually have stocked fridges daily.
A side point…don’t change all your money over all at once so you don’t lose in the exchange coming back home as CUC have no value outside of Cuba.
If you want to know more, email me if you’d like.
Tipping in Canadian currency is welcome. Cuban banks can exchange Canadian currency easily as well as the resorts can exchange this for them. Take canadian money with you. It can easily be exchanged for CUC (convertible pesos). This currency is the currency of commerce for foreigners in Cuba.
Our bar was stocked daily with beer, water, and soft drinks. But this varies from resort to resort. Anyway. the bar will be stocked when you arrive and restocked for a minimal fee if required. Enjoy!!!
Also take little gifts for the gardeners, maids, and other resort staff. Candy, chewing gum and cosmetics arte greatly appreciated. The lack of comfort treats in Cuba is wide spread.