Forum

Tipping

Posted by Chris Hoyt on September 29, 2013 at 7:29am in Hotel Tips, Home and Room Sharing for Artists

We stay at hotels during our season and this topic has never been raised.

How big of a tip do you leave the housekeeping staff?

I'm a fairly private person when I stay so I hang the "leave me alone" sign on the door when I'm out. I just don't like people coming into my room when I have personal items in there.

But I usually leave a $5 bill. What's the norm today? It's not like they're wait staff who get $2.85 an hour and depend on tips for a living.

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Replies

  • Carol Kettenhofen October 2, 2013 at 10:11am

    We typically leave about $5.00 or a little more daily. That way if there are different cleaning crews then everyone who worked on our room receives their tip. I love the idea of writing Thank You on the writing pad next to the tip.  Will definitely do that next visit.

    Most cleaning staff only make minimum wage or slightly above but not too much higher.  I feel that is one tough job to do for a living and I for one are very appreciative of the people who clean my room. 

    • Richard L. Sherer > Carol Kettenhofen October 2, 2013 at 10:37am
      Note pad: I have had the gratuity not taken - honest service. Had to leave note in Spanish. Got big smile and "gracias " to make my day.
      • Chris Hoyt > Richard L. Sherer October 3, 2013 at 6:58am

        That happened to us too. The staff will only take the tip when we check out.

  • Connie Mettler October 1, 2013 at 5:06pm

    Great topic, Chris! Has anyone read "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America", by Barbara Ehrenreich? It is an amazing book.

    One section is about housekeeping in America's hotels and motels. If you ever think about not tipping, read it. I like Richard's idea about daily tipping. I usually tip when I am leaving, but he's got a point as the help can vary day by day. I leave $3-$5 regardless of how high end the place is. No one working in these places is making any money. That is really nice, Jacque, also to leave a note. 

    I rarely put out the do not disturb because it is such a treat for someone else to make the bed. 

    When traveling with my kids and grandkids I tip extra ;)

  • Alison Thomas October 1, 2013 at 7:37am

    I think the standard from the travel sites is $2 / day.  I generally do $5 for a two night stay. I also put the do not disturb sign on my door the entire time.

    • Richard L. Sherer > Alison Thomas October 1, 2013 at 9:24am
      I just read online $2-3/day up to $5. More at high end places. I believe in sharing the wealth with my $5/day and sometimes if I see the guys or gals they will let me practice my Spanish with chit chat.
      • Chris Hoyt > Richard L. Sherer October 3, 2013 at 6:56am

        Here in northern New England the housekeepers speak French.

  • Richard L. Sherer September 29, 2013 at 9:55am
    We usually stay 4 nights at condo, suite or cabins and I leave $5/ night even if there is no daily service. This is in Colorado and the majority of the help are Hispanic. It's best to leave daily if there is daily help, otherwise the weekly crew might get it all.
    • Jacque Crable > Richard L. Sherer September 30, 2013 at 7:34pm

      I always leave a tip everyday, usually $2.00, and i write the words thank you on the hotel pad.   this weekend I left more since I had more people with us.  I figure that they could use it as much as anyone...I wouldn't want to clean up after someone else. 

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