Just returned from the Flamenco resort in Playo Dorado. After reading this message board and others, i had decided to take gifts in the form of toiletries and school supplies. Everyday i left something on the pillow, like shampoo. One day the maids did not take their gift. Same thing happened to my friends. I do not know if the maids did not like our gift, forgot it, or were simply sending us a signal that they would prefer cash. Our travel rep told us that 10 percent of the price we paid was "gratuity" and that tipping was a personal choice. We did tip one bartender in cash, and our drinks then had the little paper umbrellas on them, which was nice, as it was his way of saying thanks, i think. From talking to various hotel staff, it you are not tipping in cash, they do like things for their children, especially candy. The only problem we had with tipping was at the golf course. The caddies TELL YOU what they want for a tip,and are very forceful about it. It was a major turnoff. I also heard, not sure if it is true, that if you do tip cash, they have to pool their tips with their fellow staff members. Anyway, i now think that cash tipping is the best.