How do you tip at a high end resort?

The etiquette for tipping a housekeeper at a luxury resort is to leave a small amount of money, such as $5 to $10 per night of your stay, on the dresser or nightstand, preferably in an envelope marked Housekeeping. It is also common to tip housekeeping staff at the end of your stay, rather than on a daily basis.



Tipping at a high-end resort in 2026 requires a "gold standard" blend of discretion and generosity to ensure a seamless service experience. For valet and bell staff, a tip of $5 to $10 per service is standard. For housekeeping, leaving $5 to $10 per day is preferred, ideally with a brief "thank you" note to ensure the staff knows it is for them. The concierge should be tipped based on the complexity of their assistance; a simple restaurant booking might warrant $10 to $20, while securing "impossible" front-row tickets or planning an entire day's itinerary deserves $50 to $100 upon the successful completion of the task. At many ultra-luxury "all-inclusive" properties, a "service charge" is already included in your bill, but additional cash tips for standout personal butlers or poolside attendants are always appreciated and often lead to elevated personal recognition. It is a "pro-tip" to carry small denominations of local currency or U.S. dollars and tip throughout your stay rather than just at the end, as this establishes a rapport with the staff that ensures your preferences are remembered and anticipated during your entire visit.

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While tipping is allowed at some resorts, it is optional, so you won't have to worry about staff pressuring you to do so. You don't have to feel bad about not being able to or wanting to tip everyone.

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Some experts recommend that you bring a total of $150 to $200 USD for tips for a 1-week stay. This equates to around $20 to $25 USD per day for all staff members who might help you throughout the day.

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This equates to around $20 to $25 USD per day for all staff members who might help you throughout the day. When heading off property (outside of your all-inclusive resort), you can bring small bills along as well, preferably in local currency.

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The average suggested tip amount is $2-3 per day and up to $5 per day if you're staying at a 4 or 5-star hotel.

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“The standard tipping amount varies widely based on the quality of the hotel,” says Bergen. “For example, a $5 or $10 tip for a one-night stay at a two or three-star chain hotel is not unusual, but a five-star Hotel guest will usually tip $20 or more.”

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A general rule of thumb is $3 to $5 per night for budget and midrange hotels, and up to $10 a night for luxury hotels and resorts (or more if the service is really high end). Families don't automatically need to tip more than single travelers or couples.

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While the AHLA recommends leaving tips daily, it's also acceptable to tip one lump sum in your room or at the front desk at the end of our stay. Just be sure to tell the concierge which room you were in so they can evenly distribute the gift.

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According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), guests should tip housekeeping anywhere between $1 to $5 per night for a mid-range or business hotel. For luxury hotels where the staff offers daily cleaning services and nightly turndown services, guests should leave a little more.

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“If a front desk agent was able to do something extra to make your stay an amazing one, give them a tip as a thank you,” recommends Dandashy. “My rule of thumb for tipping: Tip AFTER an agent (or anyone) has helped you. A tip beforehand seems like a bribe.

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Neither the Ritz-Carlton nor any other hotel has a policy on tipping. Tipping is discretionary and totally up to the person leaving the tip- the last thing we want is a hotel telling us how much we should tip!

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Concierges tend to earn more than most other hotel staff, but they still definitely deserve your tips. If you go to them with a request, like a local recommendation or help booking tickets to a sold-out show, tip them in the moment when their service to you is completed. And tip according to the effort involved.

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Though tipping can be a complex concept depending on which state you're in, a baseline tip of 15-20% is recommended, depending on the experience you have. If you don't have a bill to calculate that with, assume about $5-10 for each task with truly extraordinary services getting $25-40.

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For bellhops, you can tip between $1-2 per bag for standard service. Room Service will typically have a built-in gratuity on the check, and potentially a delivery or packaging fee. While additional gratuity is always appreciated, it isn't required.

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It's unnecessary to tip with each interaction. But, at minimum, it's customary to tip when you check in and out of the hotel. If you're not happy with the service, don't tip. You don't have to reward bad behavior.

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The expenses covered in a resort fee can vary from hotel to hotel, as each property has the ability to choose what's covered by the charge. While resort fees may include certain hotel services, amenities, and access to different areas, they do not include tips or gratuity for hotel staff.

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A service charge (typically 2 percent) is almost always built in to the food and drink fee, so check your contract. If the gratuity is not included, tip as follows. The Standard: 15 - 20 percent of the food and drink fee (based on labor, not the cost), or $200 - $300 for the maitre d'.

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It's common for all-inclusive resorts to include gratuity in the upfront cost. This amount is typically shared among the staff. However, tipping those who provide exceptional service during your stay is customary and should be part of your travel plans.

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“It is not customary to tip at a continental breakfast that is served buffet-style,” Bergen says. “It is customary and appreciated to tip during breakfast when there is a server who takes your order or serves coffee and juice.”

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