According to statistics collected by The New York Times, only about 30% of hotel guests leave a tip for housekeepers.
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What percent of hotel guests tip housekeeping? A 2017 New York Times story that interviewed hotel housekeepers indicated that about 30% of guests tipped.
As with most forms of tipping, a hard-and-fast rule is hard to come by. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) suggests leaving a $1-to-$5 tip per day for the housekeeping staff.
You don't have to tip your hotel housekeeper, but these hardworking staff members are often forgotten when it comes to tipping, so the money can go a long way for them.
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.
The tip doesn't have to be big — $1 to $5, says the American Hotel and Lodging Association. But fewer than a third of hotel guests leave any money for the housekeepers. The hotel association publishes a gratuity guide on its website that offers suggestions for tipping everyone from valet attendants to bellhops.
Tipping hotel housekeeping hasn't traditionally been part of standard practice. As recently as June 2019 the CEO of Hilton said that he “typically do[es] not leave a tip” for housekeepers.
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.
In the event that you check out of your room and forget to tip the housekeeper, you can still make sure they are tipped sufficiently! To do this, just be sure to go to the front desk and give them the money.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (ALHA) recommends tipping hotel housekeeping $1-5 per night. If you're going to tip, ideally: Leave it nightly, since someone different could be cleaning your room every day.
Pro tip: Tip everyone: While most travelers know to tip a bellman or valet, few leave anything for the front-desk agent—despite their enormous power to influence the quality of your stay. “The front desk isn't a tipped position, so when you do tip, it makes them beholden to you,” Tomsky said.
Room service: If the hotel hasn't already added a gratuity, tip this person the same way you would a server or bartender in the restaurant downstairs: 15% to 20%. Door staff: No need to tip for someone opening the door.
Several mobile payment apps are widely used for tipping hotel staff. One of the most popular options is Venmo, which allows you to send money to individuals easily. Another popular app is PayPal, which offers a range of payment options and is widely accepted.
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. It's fair to take into consideration how much mess you leave for housekeeping to deal with. Did your kids spill something on the couch or make a mess that will take extra time to clean up?
Make sure the tip is visible, like on the dresser or next to the bathroom sink. Avoid leaving your housekeeping tips on the bed or nightstand, as these areas risk your cash getting jostled around or lost when bed sheets are changed. Leave your tip on top of, or next to, a thank you note.
For luxury hotels where the staff offers daily cleaning services and nightly turndown services, guests should leave a little more. For houses and villas, or large suites where there are multiple rooms to clean, consider leaving anywhere from $10 to $20 per night.
Depending on the hotel, it might be possible to leave a tip with your credit card as you check out at the end of your stay, with requests for the money to be distributed to specific employees, including housekeeping.
After all, you want to show your appreciation for their service, but you also don't want to overdo it or feel uncomfortable. If you're short on time, here's a quick answer to your question: The standard tip for valet parking at a 5-star hotel is $5-$10 per vehicle.
While room service attendants often receive an automatic gratuity as part of the room service bill, other employees may only receive tips occasionally. Then there are the all-inclusive resorts, which cover gratuities as part of your stay. It often depends on the situation, the services, and how luxurious the hotel is.
Basically slipping a $20 in your passport when checking in and asking for a nicer room or on a higher floor? Some used it on busy restaurants to get a head of the line.
Your Hotel Shuttle DriverEven though it's a courtesy shuttle, courtesy can go both ways. But, how do you know much to tip the hotel shuttle driver? Offer your driver one or two dollars per bag or person.
Most travel experts recommend storing at least some of your cash, a backup credit card, and your passport in a bag inside the hotel safe, but even those aren't 100% secure and the hotel usually can't be held liable for theft. The number 1 key to keeping your travel money safe from thieves is this: divide and conquer.