Some guests leave a lump-sum tip on the last day of their stay, but a better practice is doling out incremental tips daily, as hotel housekeepers might have different day-to-day room assignments. A daily tip more closely ensures your gratitude goes to the specific worker who services the room each day.

Tipping hotel housekeeping daily is the recommended etiquette in 2026, rather than leaving a lump sum at the end of your stay. The primary reason for this is that hotel staff work on rotating schedules; the person who cleans your room on Monday might not be the same person working on Friday when you check out. By tipping $3 to $5 each morning, you ensure that the specific individual who did the hard work that day receives the gratitude. In luxury hotels, this amount is often higher, around $10 per day. It is best to leave the tip in a clearly marked envelope or with a note saying "Thank You" on the desk or nightstand so the staff knows it is intended for them and not just "lost" money. In 2026, many hotels have introduced digital tipping via QR codes found in the room, which allows you to tip via Apple Pay or credit card; however, most housekeepers still prefer cash as they receive it immediately. Regardless of the method, tipping is seen as a vital gesture of appreciation for some of the most physically demanding work in the hospitality industry.