How Bellyard Hotel revolutionized their Tipping System and Boosted Team Morale

About Bellyard Hotel

Bellyard Hotel is a vibrant boutique property in Atlanta's trendy West Midtown, part of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio. Located at The Interlock, the property offers a creative and inspired environment for both business and leisure travelers, maintaining a team of over 50 employees who deliver exceptional service to their guests.

The Challenge: Adapting to a Cashless World

Bellyard Hotel faced a growing challenge that many modern hotels encounter — guests wanting to tip but not carrying cash. The problem was particularly acute because many of their team members were contractors without traditional bank accounts, making it impossible to process tips through the hotel's regular payment system. This limitation meant hardworking staff were missing out on well-deserved gratuities.

"Most of our employees are contract labor, so they don't have bank accounts set up. The housekeepers lose a lot of opportunities to earn money."

Sirikwan Sae-tae

Executive Housekeeper, Bellyard Hotel

The Solution: A Digital Tipping Platform for All

After exploring various options, Bellyard Hotel chose eTip for its comprehensive digital tipping solution.

The implementation included:

• Custom wooden display stands that perfectly matched the hotel's minimalist, earth-tone aesthetic
• QR code integration for seamless guest interaction
• A pooled tipping system that ensures fair distribution among all housekeeping staff
• Support for contract workers without traditional bank accounts

What set eTip apart was its ability to include contract workers in the tipping system, solving one of Bellyard's key challenges. The platform's user-friendly interface made it easy for both guests to tip and staff to receive their earnings.

"We had a lot of customers coming to the front desk asking if they could tip housekeeping with their card instead of cash."

Sirikwan Sae-tae

Executive Housekeeper, Bellyard Hotel

Results: Creating a More Equitable Workplace

The implementation of eTip has transformed how Bellyard Hotel manages their tipping system, leading to several significant improvements:

Improved Staff Retention

The consistent additional income has helped maintain a stable workforce, reducing turnover costs across the housekeeping team.

Enhanced Team Morale

By implementing a pooled tipping system, previously overlooked roles like housemen and lobby attendants now receive their fair share of tips — keeping the entire team happy and motivated.

Better Guest Experience

The integration of digital tipping has modernized the guest experience, making it easier for visitors to show their appreciation with custom wooden stands that complement the hotel's aesthetic.

Seamless Implementation

The platform's user-friendly interface made the rollout straightforward for both staff and guests, with QR codes making the tipping process quick and intuitive.

Looking Ahead

The success of eTip at Bellyard Hotel has sparked interest from other properties and contract labor companies in the area. The hotel continues to enhance their guest service offerings, combining the digital tipping solution with thoughtful touches like bed decorations and welcome chocolates, creating a comprehensive approach to guest satisfaction and staff appreciation.

• Expanding awareness of eTip to other local hotels and contract labor companies
• Continuing to combine digital tipping with personalized guest experience touches
• Building on improved team engagement and guest interaction driven by tipping incentives

"I would recommend your company to other hotels because it's good for the team. It also encourages team members to work better."

Sirikwan Sae-tae

Executive Housekeeper, Bellyard Hotel