From: Ken in Cookeville, Tennessee
Question: I have been to Vegas a few times and realize how important proper tipping is. But I am still confused about my arrival at the hotel. When my bags are removed from the taxi by the bellman, when does proper tipping begin and how much? Do I tip that bellman and the one who brings the bags to the room? And also when the process is reversed you also come in contact with two different bellman. Who gets the tips and how much? I want to treat these folks in the proper manner. Thanks...
Answer: What a terrific question! Here's a general guideline about who to tip, how much, and when. But keep in mind that these are just generalities and you can tip more, less, or nothing at all if you are so inclined.
Skycaps & Bellmen/women - Anyone who picks up your bag for you should get $1 per bag (more for heavier luggage) so yes, if two different people handle your luggage at the hotel, two different people should get tips.
Taxi Drivers - 15% of the fare.
Valet Parking Attendants - $1 to guy who gives you the ticket upon arrival and $1-2 for the person who brings the car back.
Dealers - Usually 10% of the original bet on big wins and at your discrection at shift changes or when you leave the table.
Slot attendants - $5-10 bucks for hand pays on big wins.
Casino Cocktail Waitresses - $1 per drink is not too much to ask considering you're getting it for free.
Chambermaids - Leave a couple of bucks each night of your stay for the people who clean your room. Be sure to mark it as a tip otherwise they won't know it isn't just cash laying around.
Showroom Maitre d's: There are very few of these left as most shows have pre-assigned seating. But if you run across one, consider 10% of the ticket price, per ticket, to get a better seat.
All other tipping is the same for what you'd pay at other restaurants or bars in any other city.
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Question: What is the policy on smoking in Vegas?
Answer: Vegas enjoys its reputation for being a place for vices and smoking is definitely one of them.
All hotels offer smoking and non-smoking rooms (except for the Westin which does not offer any smoking rooms).
There is usually no smoking in the showrooms and in most indoor attractions (like Star Trek and the other motion simulator rides) and some outdoor ones (like the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage).
The casinos are, for the most part, one big puff-a-thon meaning that smoking is allowed just about anywhere. There are some non-smoking gaming tables (blackjack, etc.) at some casinos but they are usually located right next to smoking ones so it doesn't make a lot of difference. There are no non-smoking casinos or rooms, with the exception of most casino's poker rooms.
Most restaurants in Las Vegas allow smoking in designated areas - those of us from California still think it's odd to be asked "Smoking or non-smoking" as we are being seated. However, a couple of the upscale gourmet places have been made completely smoke free, suggesting that it interferes with the gastronomic delights that you're paying ridiculous amounts of money for.
Now, the good news is that the more modern hotels that have been built in the last 10 years or so have state of the art ventilation systems. They are not like the old downtown hotels that have a thick cloud of smoke hanging over the casinos. At the newer hotels you'd probably have to have an extreme smoke sensitivity or be sitting right next to a smoker to even notice.
If you really that are sensitive to the smoke, we recommend staying out of the casinos and stick to the shows and attractions.
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