Buzz
Tipping hotel housekeeping staff is one of those things we know we're supposed to do, but it often slips our minds as we rush to pack our belongings and meet the check-out time.
For years, I didn’t tip hotel housekeepers because I was young and unaware that it was a common practice. I typically stayed in budget motels rather than high-end hotels like the Ritz-Carlton. I was embarrassed when I learned about this tradition and began leaving a few dollars on the dresser, unsure of the correct amount to leave.
An etiquette expert who spoke with Travel + Leisure shared that the proper amount to tip is “a few dollars per day.” The tip should be left with a note addressed to the housekeeper so they know it’s for them, not just something left behind. If you’re particularly messy, or if the housekeeping service exceeded your expectations, consider increasing the tip amount.
When I travel alone, I tend to be very tidy. However, when I travel with friends, our room can quickly become a mess of empty drink containers, takeout trays, and other random trash. One time, someone had a chip disaster right in the middle of the room — definitely not a quick fix. In these cases, I usually leave a higher tip.
Just like at restaurants, I adjust my tips based on the price of my hotel room. For a $75/night room, I might leave a couple of dollars a day, but if I'm staying in a $350/night hotel, I’ll bump that up to $5 a night.
Unlike restaurants, there’s no fixed percentage for tipping hotel housekeeping. As long as the amount feels right to you and reflects the work involved in cleaning your room, you’re on track. And if you have a little extra to spare, consider leaving a bigger tip. After all, they’re cleaning up after you, so if you can afford it, leaving $5 instead of $3 can really brighten their day.
