Starwood Preferred Guest - Q: Do you tip more for housekeeping when in a suite?

Probably this is not a SPG related question, but do you tip more
for housekeeping when you are staying in a suite?
I usually tip 2$/day in the US for a standard room but not sure
if I should tip more when staying in a suite (meaning a larger room).

Probably this is not a SPG related question, but do you tip more
for housekeeping when you are staying in a suite?
I usually tip 2$/day in the US for a standard room but not sure
if I should tip more when staying in a suite (meaning a larger room).
I tip more when I am in a suite (just because there is more to clean).

I do too. $5 to $10 per day, depending upon the level of the hotel and the quality of the service.

I usually tip $2 per day for a regular room, but for a larger suite I will add a couple more dollars.

I don't tip for housekeeping no matter what size room I'm in.

QL

I don't tip for housekeeping no matter what size room I'm in.

QL

Ditto! I never knew this was customary; nor have I ever heard of this practice (mind you, I live in the gratutious tipping captial of the world--> NYC!).

it is customary and the room size/type does not factor into my tip amount decision. if i get great service, i tip extra. otherwise, it's a couple of bucks a night.

Thanks everyone for the opinions. :)
Actually I tip $5/day for an one-bedroom suite and $3/day when in a junior (studio) suite.
Probably I would tip $15 if upgraded to a presidential suite. :p

One more question, do you tip for evening (turn-down) service?
I usually tip an additional $2/night, especially when staying in a hotel where evening service is upon request.

It's definitely customary. Though many people "forget" or otherwise avoid tipping housekeeping because they don't have to look the person being stiffed in the eye (imagine NOT tipping the bellman!)

Unfair NOT to tip housekeeping. Think about it: you tip the bellman somewhere around 5 bucks for 5-10 minutes of service. Housekeeping probably spends at least 20 minutes cleaning your room. They deserve recognition too!

I've also found that if I tip on a daily basis (not just the whole amount at the end of the stay) I get a lot better treatment--extra amenities, extra goodies on the turn-down bed, a bucket full of fresh ice, etc.

Tip ? Bellman ? Housekeeping ? What ?

Might leave small change as can't be bothered with it. As for luggage, don't make me laugh, I managed fine bringing my suitcase all the way from home, so across the lobby, into the lift and along a corridor ? I can manage that myself.

Would you beleive that I am an ex-luggage porter ? :p

it is customary and the room size/type does not factor into my tip amount decision. if i get great service, i tip extra. otherwise, it's a couple of bucks a night.
It's definitely customary. Though many people "forget" or otherwise avoid tipping housekeeping . . .
Completely agree . . . a tip is gratuity (i.e., from gratuitous - not needed), but conversely, I will also admit, extra nice service should be rewarded as well. So I suppose that I’m stuck in the middle . . . but I usually give a $2 tip, irrespective of the size of the room when I leave one.

Thanks everyone for the opinions. :)
Actually I tip $5/day for an one-bedroom suite and $3/day when in a junior (studio) suite.
Probably I would tip $15 if upgraded to a presidential suite. :p

One more question, do you tip for evening (turn-down) service?
I usually tip an additional $2/night, especially when staying in a hotel where evening service is upon request.


I agree with those numbers.

Housekeepers are usually not remembered by many (witness some of the posts) and are often struggling to support a family. I have no problem with tipping them. I usually do not leave anything in Europe or where service is included.

Frankly, I have a bigger problem with $3 - $5 to the bellhop (if I use him or her) for a few minutes of work or $1 to a bartender who spends 30 seconds pouring me a drink at a crowded bar. Also I routinely spend $20 or more for a waiter at a restaurant who spends a lots less time at my table than the 20 minutes to clean my room.

Okay maybe I should start changing my habits and begin tipping a bit -- I rarely, if ever, come across the housekeeping staff since I travel mostly for business. Do you just leave the money in an envelope with a note? I can imagine they would never (ehrm, mostly never) take any monies left on the night table or desk.

Edit: Spelling

[I have a bigger problem with $3 - $5 to the bellhop (if I use him or her) for a few minutes of work or $1 to a bartender who spends 30 seconds pouring me a drink at a crowded bar. Also I routinely spend $20 or more for a waiter at a restaurant who spends a lots less time at my table than the 20 minutes to clean my room.[/QUOTE]


Couldn't agree more! I too find some of the above tipping patterns to be prodigal to the point of extravagance (though I follow them, because they're expected--and again, because if I didn't, I'd have to look the "stiffee" in the eye!

But housekeeping provides a REAL service--more important than how your wine (or scotch) is poured. If you're paying that much for a room, how much difference does $2 a day more really mean? Give up that extra soda from the vending machine and make some nice, hard-working woman's day! (and make room in your bag for the extra toiletries!)

Okay maybe I should start changing my habits and begin tipping a bit -- I rarely, if ever, come across the housekeeping staff since I travel mostly for business. Do you just leave the money in an envelope with a note? I can imagine they would never (ehrm, mostly never) take any monies left on the night table or desk.

Edit: Spelling

I leave the money on the night table with a note saying "Dear Housekeeper, thank you for the clean room."
I sometimes write requests for additional amenities because some housekeepers forget to add shampoo bottles or other amenities until I ask for them. Some housekeepers even leave a nice hand written message as a reply.

Okay maybe I should start changing my habits and begin tipping a bit -- I rarely, if ever, come across the housekeeping staff since I travel mostly for business. Do you just leave the money in an envelope with a note? I can imagine they would never (ehrm, mostly never) take any monies left on the night table or desk.

Edit: Spelling

Thank you for reconsidering this matter. I feel strongly that housekeepers deserve tips. They do some of the dirtiest work in the hotel for some of the very lowest wages. A couple of bucks from a hotel guest is a modest sacrifice; it must mean a lot to a housekeeper struggling to ward off poverty. I simply leave my tip on the sink, atop a note "For Housekeeper" on a sheet of message pad paper. I then close the bathroom door: I may be paranoid, but I don't want the mini-bar attendant to get the money set out for the housekeeper.

Never tipped for housekeeping. Maybe I should, from now on, based on this thread.

I just leave the tip on the desk atop one of the hotel paper pads with a note: "For Housekeeping--thanks so much!" (if I forget to leave the note, the money is ALWAYS there upon my return. In my experience, housekeeping is very honest!)

And yes, the note is a good way to make any extra requests you may have--for pillows, blankets, ice, wine glasses, toiletries, etc.

Another plus (besides doing a nice thing for some decent, hard-working people): warm smiles and friendly greetings during hallway encounters!

Never tipped for housekeeping. Maybe I should, from now on, based on this thread.

I didn't use to be a consistent housekeeping tipper myself until I read Nickel and Dimed (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805063897/qid=1097695203/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-1307739-9520017), a real eye-opener. Many housekeepers are the primary breadwinners for their family and would use a tip to put food on the table as opposed to the parking attendant, for example, who is finishing up his degree before getting a high-paying job.

I usually leave the money in a very obvious place on the bed -- on the pillow, or tucked slightly under a blanket so that it is obvious. They always seem to know, as I've never had it sitting on the nightstand when I came back to the room.

Once in a while, on a multi-night stay, I won't have the amount I want to leave on hand, so I'll make up for it the next day or the day I check out. When I do that, I also usually write a note thanking them and tuck it into the note pad and leave it on the bed so they're sure to find it.

On more than one occasion I've had notes left by the housekeeper thanking me. Of all the tips I give, I have the sense that they appreciate it the most. One of them told me once that the majority of people do not leave them a tip. In nice places they have one of the hardest jobs in the building and it is easy to forget about them since you aren't face-to-face. It's important to me to take care of them when it's obvious they're working hard to make my stay an enjoyable and comfortable one.

I don't tip for the daily cleaning as I think it is part of their job and not something that requires tipping. I do tip when I make special requests.

Frankly, it is too much hassle to remember to keep small bills on hand for tipping. I much prefer to be able to add a tip to a bill than to part with cash.

Although many respondents to this thread believe it is a custom to tip housekeeping in a hotel, there was a poll done a few months back here on flyertalk. More than half of the respondents do not tip housekeeping.

Abroad, it is a practice that is simply not done. In the US it is not "required" to tip workers except for the format of a tip to a sub-minimum-wage employee group, like bartenders. If any service worker goes above and beyond, please feel free to give a gratuity.

Please also keep in mind, that the practice of tipping employees who have not traditionally received tips, may encourage management to keep wages low. (No raises, for example, because management sees their wages supplemented by the customers).

Tipping is a strange phenomenon and has all sorts of unintended consequences.

It's definitely customary. Though many people "forget" or otherwise avoid tipping housekeeping because they don't have to look the person being stiffed in the eye (imagine NOT tipping the bellman!).

Imagine travelling in Australia. Tipping the bellman is NOT common here, and I have been told repeatedly by people in local offices not to do it. Same goes for the doorman.

Personally, I have never tipped housekeeping, and I have always been able to look them in the eye. My room is never 'messy', beyond new towels and making the bed. And sometimes, they don't even get that right.

They are paid for that job. Why should they get tipped for it? Because their job doesn't pay much? Should I then tip the guy in the mailroom? Or the counterhelp in McDonalds? At some point you have to say enough.

I guess I need to adjust for inflation. I've been giving $1/room for quite a while, often upgraded so I do $2. And I leave another $1 for turndown, frequently but not always.

Seems like I should up it to $2 to saty in the middle of the pack.

Although many respondents to this thread believe it is a custom to tip housekeeping in a hotel, there was a poll done a few months back here on flyertalk. More than half of the respondents do not tip housekeeping.

Abroad, it is a practice that is simply not done. In the US it is not "required" to tip workers except for the format of a tip to a sub-minimum-wage employee group, like bartenders. If any service worker goes above and beyond, please feel free to give a gratuity.

Please also keep in mind, that the practice of tipping employees who have not traditionally received tips, may encourage management to keep wages low. (No raises, for example, because management sees their wages supplemented by the customers).

Tipping is a strange phenomenon and has all sorts of unintended consequences.

I completely disagree with the point that "the practice of tipping employees who have not traditionally received tips, may encourage management to keep wages low", and I think that it is unfortunate that "More than half of the respondents do not tip housekeeping" in a FT poll.

Housekeeping is perhaps one of the lowest paid job in a hotel, possibly only higher than the dishwasher? It is hard work, as I was able to see with my own eyes a few times, having to go back to my room during the day a few times to retrieve a thing or two (especially when I'm attending a conference or a training class in the hotel itself), and I see the housekeeper run the vacuum, or clean the bathroom, or generally tidy up the room.

I completely agree that it the room is not well done, then the poor housekeeping work should not be rewarded, and I will not leave a tip and will also complain to the front desk immediately upon finding the problem.

Otherwise, I agree that $3 to $5 per day, depending on the city and property would be appropriate (I used to tip $2 a day until 2002), and most of us would file for reimbursement anyway. As pointed out by many in this thread, most housekeeping staff members in the US and Canada are the main breadwinner in their family and they depend on tips to supplement their income.

I have been told that you should not tip in Japan (but I did anyhow) so I am researching that topic for my next trip in Dec, but I have tipped housekeeping in North America, South America, and Europe.

I have been leaving the tips on in the bathroom, but will now put it under a note stating "For Housekeeping" as suggested by many folks on this thread.

I have been told that you should not tip in Japan (but I did anyhow) so I am researching that topic for my next trip in Dec, but I have tipped housekeeping in North America, South America, and Europe.

At the Westin Tokyo, they add a 10% service surcharge. They do this at other APAC hotels. When this is done, I do not tip (I have tried in the past and it was always left in a nice pile somewhere else).

Other places, I throw my lose change on the pillow (usually around $2) and I know it is gladly taken.

When in Hawaii, we were upgraded to a Suite at a Hilton property. We were with our infant son and I know we werent the cleanest. Left $5 per day and let me tell you, that was the best money spent. Extra everything, always cleaned up and by the end of the stay, we had two cleaners waiting to get in and clean our room.

IMHO, $2 - $5 is good.

I've got to weigh in strongly against tipping unless there's a specific reason. This is not like we're staying in hotels that fight to keep prices outrageously low. No, I'm sorry, maybe I just am cheap, but if I'm paying $280 (or more) dollars a night, I *expect* my room to be cleaned! Call it a sense of entitlement, but I pay a huge amount of money and I expect something for it.

If the property isn't compensating the housekeeping staff appropriately, they should do something about it and demand more money from the hotel management. Most housekeepers are unionized, and if they aren't, they should be. This is what unions are good for, protecting the average worker.

In fact, I find it infuriating when people constantly expect to be tipped for service that is expected. The only reason I tip for wait staff is that they are in fact compensated on the assumption they will be tipped, and that's a long-standing custom. Housekeeping, if they receive no tips, are *not* taxed as if they had been tipped.

The only times that I tip (in which case, I tip generously) is if I've left a mess that's above and beyond the usual and expected (which happens sometimes, for example, since on the road we often get shipments of equipment, and in unpacking-assembling we have empty boxes and "popcorn" left behind. *That* I consider outside the norm and will gladly tip 20-30 dollars with a note apologizing for the mess.

Steve

I leave two or three bucks every morning, room or suite and adjust upward if I've left a mess. *I don't leave notes with the cash, just put it under a pillow so the room attendant has no doubts that it is for them.

I've come back, at the end of the day to countless thank you notes and, more often than not, extra toiletries and towels. A few times I found my razor, toothbrush and comb and hair brush laid out on a towel next to the bathroom sink and my other "junk" neatly arranged. (One time, in size place!)

If turndown's by request, I don't bother with it, but if it's standard I'll leave a buck on the bed. That also results in a response: sometimes a note, sometimes extra goodies, sometimes both.

I too, have on occasion, come back to the room while it's being cleaned, seen what these people have to do and it reminds me to thank my lucky stars that that's not my lot in life.

I'm expensing these gratuities anyway, so what the hey.

What am I expected to do - **claim them on the expense form even if I didn't incur them?

*Except once. Checked in very late after a truly awful flight and just wanted to crash. Bed linen was old, worn and torn, but I lived with it since I was beat and had no energy to wait for someone to come up and remake the bed. In the AM I left a note with the tip to the effect that I was sure the substandard bedding was an oversight and would appreciate that not happening again (which it didn't - if it did, the GM would have heard about it).

**Tell me that you don't know anyone who does that.

... I have been told that you should not tip in Japan (but I did anyhow) so I am researching that topic for my next trip in Dec, but I have tipped housekeeping in North America, South America, and Europe. ...


As a Japan resident, I would like to say that tipping in Japan is absolutely NOT required for any kind of service industry.
For example, you arrive at the airport. You do not need to tip the guy at the airport bus stop who will take care of your luggage. Or, no tip is required for a taxi ride (FYI taxi rides are quite safe in Japan, but extremely expensive). After you arrive at your hotel, you do not need to tip the bellhop even if you have 100 pieces of heavy luggage.

While in the hotel, you do not need to tip the housekeeper (actually, there is no big difference between their and other hotel staff's wage, at least in Japan.), you do not need to tip the concierge even if you ask him/her to go shopping on your behalf. You dine in an upscale restaurant and a 10% service charge is automatically added to your bill so you do not need to tip. You can't refuse to pay this service charge even if the service was a nightmare, tough. Some dining outlets do not charge a 10% service charge but you still do not need to tip.
Tipping in Japan is not normal, its "extraordinary" and no one is expecting a tip.

The ONLY exception is when staying in a "Ryokan" (Traditional Japanese style Inn).
After checking in, you will be escorted to your room by a room attendant lady "Nakai" and she will make some green tea in your room. It is customary in Japan to tip JPY2000 - JPY3000/room for the entire stay (not per night) after drinking the served tea. This tip is called "Kokorozuke" in Japanese and means "appreciation". No other tip is required until you depart the Ryokan.

I completely disagree with the point that "the practice of tipping employees who have not traditionally received tips, may encourage management to keep wages low

How do you disagree with this? I will dig up the economics study on this, but it may take some time to find.

The worst possible outcome for the housekeepers would be for the IRS to reclassify their work category as "tipped employees." Then management could pay them below the legal minimum wage, as waiters and bartenders are now paid.

The best solution in an at will employment situation is for the housekeepers to negotiate higher wages with management. Offsourcing part of housekeepers' compensation on the customers has all kinds of unanticipated results.

For example (per the poll done here), only half of the customers pay this gratuity regularly. One housekeeper could theoretically have zero tippers on one floor, while another has 100% on a different floor.

Also, a housekeeper bias may be to contravene managed customer service standards in favor instead of the customer who best compensates the employee -- the best services might be subject to a sort of blind auction (the cleanest room for the highest bidder).

And there are more unintended consequences. Taxation comes to mind.

Edited to add: Wages are IMHO the optimal way to compensate employees. Tipping is often a poor substitute.

As a Japan resident, I would like to say that tipping in Japan is absolutely NOT required for any kind of service industry.
For example, you arrive at the airport. You do not need to tip the guy at the airport bus stop who will take care of your luggage. Or, no tip is required for a taxi ride (FYI taxi rides are quite safe in Japan, but extremely expensive). After you arrive at your hotel, you do not need to tip the bellhop even if you have 100 pieces of heavy luggage.

While in the hotel, you do not need to tip the housekeeper (actually, there is no big difference between their and other hotel staff's wage, at least in Japan.), you do not need to tip the concierge even if you ask him/her to go shopping on your behalf. You dine in an upscale restaurant and a 10% service charge is automatically added to your bill so you do not need to tip. You can't refuse to pay this service charge even if the service was a nightmare, tough. Some dining outlets do not charge a 10% service charge but you still do not need to tip.
Tipping in Japan is not normal, its "extraordinary" and no one is expecting a tip.

The ONLY exception is when staying in a "Ryokan" (Traditional Japanese style Inn).
After checking in, you will be escorted to your room by a room attendant lady "Nakai" and she will make some green tea in your room. It is customary in Japan to tip JPY2000 - JPY3000/room for the entire stay (not per night) after drinking the served tea. This tip is called "Kokorozuke" in Japanese and means "appreciation". No other tip is required until you depart the Ryokan.

Thank you for your comments and advice.

I do remember tipping the bellgirl (yes, it was a girl, and she used a cart to wheel my heavy suitcases up to my room), and she firmly declined my tips. I did leave a tip for housekeeping, and I am wondering what happened to the money :p

The concierge was super nice and very helpful with wrapping gifts for me, reserving restaurants, etc, and I remembered feeling bad not tipping her, but I did not. But now, I feel a bit better.

How do you disagree with this? I will dig up the economics study on this, but it may take some time to find.

The worst possible outcome for the housekeepers would be for the IRS to reclassify their work category as "tipped employees." Then management could pay them below the legal minimum wage, as waiters and bartenders are now paid.

The best solution in an at will employment situation is for the housekeepers to negotiate higher wages with management. Offsourcing part of housekeepers' compensation on the customers has all kinds of unanticipated results.

For example (per the poll done here), only half of the customers pay this gratuity regularly. One housekeeper could theoretically have zero tippers on one floor, while another has 100% on a different floor.

Also, a housekeeper bias may be to contravene managed customer service standards in favor instead of the customer who best compensates the employee -- the best services might be subject to a sort of blind auction (the cleanest room for the highest bidder).

And there are more unintended consequences. Taxation comes to mind.

Edited to add: Wages are IMHO the optimal way to compensate employees. Tipping is often a poor substitute.


I'm sure that your studies are well and good, but I know for a fact that many housekeepers depend on tips, and I will do what I can to help them. In reading this thread, it seems like 50% of us will tip and the rest will not, which is sorta consistent with your survey ;)

BTW, you and I do NOT have a say on how the hospitality industry compensates their housekeeping staff, no matter what we do or say.

On a different note, I was shocked to see people tip the staff at the Westin Times Square CLub Lounge, where we go to have our free breakfast as much as $15!!! They hand you this card and you're supposed to fill in your Club room number, and there is a field for "Gratuities", where you can put it teh amount which will appear on your bill. Talking about burning money. I tipped them $5, and felt like I was being overly generous, but I digress.


So I will continue to tip, and thanks to advices from this thread, I will change my tipping patterns as follow:

1) I will tip $3 to $5 per day depending on the city and property (perhaps $2/day in 3rd world countries?).
2) I will leave the tip EACH day, as opposed to one big sum at the end of each stay as I have been doing.
3) I will leave the tip under a note clearly marked "For Housekeeping" so that there is no confusion.
4) I will of course expenses all this :D ^
5) I will NOT leave any tip in Japan - are there any other countries where I should observe this custom?

I will report back to this thread as to what treatment I will receive (or not) from housekeeping in the next 30 days, when I have 5 hotel stays planned. Then we'll see what where we go from there.

I think it's fine if you want to tip the maids but it's certainly not expected or required. Most people don't do it.

QL

Might leave small change as can't be bothered with it. As for luggage, don't make me laugh, I managed fine bringing my suitcase all the way from home, so across the lobby, into the lift and along a corridor ? I can manage that myself.

Would you beleive that I am an ex-luggage porter ? :p

Ditto that. I'm not an ex-luggage porter, but I always carry my bags to my room. I've even gotten the occasional dirty look from a porter or bellman for not allowing them to carry the bag. When I use my rollaboard, I carry it wherever I go rather than use the wheels- they never see the ground. Why? Makes up for when I'm not getting to the gym enough as exercise. I also walk through airports and up/down stairs for the same reason. Too many people being too lazy in this country- that's why we're such an overweight nation- don't do enough for ourselves, and expect it all done for us. (Geez, how did I get from tipping bellman onto that rant? :) ).

As for housekeeping, I do tip them because there are some things I prefer not to do for myself. Is it required? Of course not. But I'm sure the extra money does come in handy, as posted here several times.

Cheers.

I tend to tip only if I stay in a room for more than one night. I figure, if I'm in a room for one night, they gotta change the room anyway and who knows who will be coming in after me. The point of a tip IMO is to give extra incentive to do the job right for when i return. What service do I get for having them clean a room that i won't be staying in again?

Unless, I create a total mess in the room... like sprinkling an entire jr suite at the Westin with roses and rose petals for my honeymoon night. I tipped $20 that day :D

The twenty bucks for a mess is exactly the kind of think I meant by an exceptional case. I had a 3 bedroom suite once where we threw an enormous party that was still going when I left for PWM at 5am. I left fifty bucks for the housekeepers.

But for usual, day-to-day stuff I still feel that gratuities are not necessary. I feel gratuities should only be for over-and-above service, except for the US sub-minimum-wage employee classes (waiters and bartenders).

We always leave $3-$5 daily with a note. I can tell the housekeepers appreciate it, and they are great about responding to special requests (like extra towels or coffee packets)


Does anyone here know the customary tip for housekeeping in Europe? We're heading to London and Italy next week and I want to make sure we leave the appropriate amount.

Thanks in advance!

I feel gratuities should only be for over-and-above service, except for the US sub-minimum-wage employee classes (waiters and bartenders).
The room cleaning personnel probably have a lower hourly wage than the waiters/bartenders. Even if they don't, I hold waiters/bartenders to the same standard - good service=good tip.
I never understood the idea of waiters/bartenders 'deserving' an uncoditional tip and cleaning crews not.


:)

The room cleaning personnel probably have a lower hourly wage than the waiters/bartenders. Even if they don't, I hold waiters/bartenders to the same standard - good service=good tip.
I never understood the idea of waiters/bartenders 'deserving' an uncoditional tip and cleaning crews not.


:)

Federal Minimum Wage is $5.15/hr for covered, non-exempt employees. The employer of a tipped employee is required to only pay $2.13/hr.

Federal Minimum Wage is $5.15/hr for covered, non-exempt employees. The employer of a tipped employee is required to only pay $2.13/hr.
thanks. I wonder if the tipped employees are getting the bare legal minimum...

So I will continue to tip, and thanks to advices from this thread, I will change my tipping patterns as follow:

1) I will tip $3 to $5 per day depending on the city and property (perhaps $2/day in 3rd world countries?).
2) I will leave the tip EACH day, as opposed to one big sum at the end of each stay as I have been doing.
3) I will leave the tip under a note clearly marked "For Housekeeping" so that there is no confusion.
4) I will of course expenses all this :D ^
5) I will NOT leave any tip in Japan - are there any other countries where I should observe this custom?

I will report back to this thread as to what treatment I will receive (or not) from housekeeping in the next 30 days, when I have 5 hotel stays planned. Then we'll see what where we go from there.

Nice summary, but not sure about tipping in Europe, where service is included, and Asia. Also, would be interested in comments on South America, especially Agrentina, where I will be going soon.

Does anyone here know the customary tip for housekeeping in Europe? We're heading to London and Italy next week and I want to make sure we leave the appropriate amount.

Thanks in advance!

Minimum wage in the UK is £4.85 / hour ($8.50). I personally wouldn't tip anyone who gets minimum wage. This includes housekeeping.

However .... waiting staff are exempt as long as they earn enough tips to take them up to the minimum wage. Most restaurants add 10%-12% service charge - do not feel the need to tip more. You should also tip London black cab drivers 10%, if only because they are taxed on their declared income + 10%!

Do not tip barmen. It is unheard of in the UK (except at hotels frequented by Americans!). Barmen get minimum wage.

I admit it, I'm a sporadic tipper. I do it when I remember and when I have some small bills (and yes, I do expense it). I actually don't like housekeeping in my room, so I only get my room cleaned every other day (on a 4 night stay) or not at all (on a three night stay). I just ask for some extra towels and I always pack my own toiletries

If I have made a mess of the room above and beyond dirty towels and sheets, I will leave extra money that night for sure. After reading this post, I will make sure that I have some smaller bills in my wallet from now on.

I would tip more but I have to follow expense suggested policy :p 3 bucks only. As far as suites or whatever, it really doesn't matter much because technically speaking, you are the only one in the room so it depends on how much mess you make. :D So what is more to clean? :confused:

I tip more when I am in a suite (just because there is more to clean).

Do not tip barmen. It is unheard of in the UK (except at hotels frequented by Americans!). Barmen get minimum wage.

completely inaccurate- if you were at my bar id make sure you got served last u tight git!
i only ever worked behind the bar for tips and wouldn't have done it - had i not received at least £100 wk tips. minimum wage in london - i'd like to see you live of that!

the only exception to this is proper pubs, where the change is given directly back to you and the staff working there are generally not "professional" staff and earn less tips, but they appreciate them more.

Interesting is the idea that if someone is making minimum wage, there is no reason to tip.
I think tipping is a matter of personal perference. Certainly there is no law requiring us to do so (except in places where they add on an automatic 10% service charge or some such similar cattle excrement). But justifying tipping (or not) based on minimum wage is a bit harsh. After all, I don't think too many on FT would actually consider minimum wage a living wage. At least not for us? :rolleyes:
Just because someone makes minimum wage or sub-minimum wage (as in waiters etc) really has little bearing on how much the person actually makes anyway. I'd say there are many many waiters and waitresses who make a heck of a lot more than me. So the income-based argument would say I should stop tipping them as well?

Just because someone makes minimum wage or sub-minimum wage (as in waiters etc) really has little bearing on how much the person actually makes anyway.

Would you support abolishing the sub-minimum-wage concept in the US completely? If so, would you also agree that all gratuities become voluntary, or 'suggested' at the 5-10% level that is common in much of the world?

I think this would be great, because it would get rid of this whole angling-for-a-gratuity situation, which does not benefit the restaurant and which does not benefit the customer.

I am not an opponent of gratuities, but I am an opponent of the distortion of what a gratuity is. A true gratuity is never expected (except in the US for the sub-minimum-wage jobs), and it is not even commonplace. It is an extra recognition for something over and beyond the call of duty. Tipping is not intended for someone doing their job normally, and achieving a normal level of customer satisfaction, where a 'thank you' is more than sufficient.

Would you support abolishing the sub-minimum-wage concept in the US completely? If so, would you also agree that all gratuities become voluntary, or 'suggested' at the 5-10% level that is common in much of the world?

I don't really care either way. As I said, I think it's a matter of personal preference. Tip. Don't tip. Fine by me. All I was objecting to is the idea that because someone is making minimum wage, then there should be no tipping. Or that because someone is not making minimum wage, then we should tip. That's all. I simply do not understand why minimum wage should even be part of the consideration to tip or not. You are perfectly correct that tipping should be for good service, etc. No qualms about that at all. In fact I totally agree! But we should not have to add on the qualifier about minimum wage, IMO. That was my argument, nothing more, nothing less. :)

Growing up, I was taught that "TIP"ing is really "to insure promptness", and that nothing can make an evening go better at a restaurant for a special occasion than to find the waiter before dinner and tip in advance.

I guess that same mentality can be applied to any tip one gives.

But, to each his/her own. Everyone's going to have a different view. :cool:

There is so much contradictory advice about tipping in Europe. One thing I had heard (about tipping waiters) was to never leave the money on the table as one does in the US, but to always hand it directly to one's server.

We discovered that the same is evidently true if one wishes to tip housekeeping. We returned to our room early to find our note and tip gone, but the room still not cleaned. The housekeeper explained to us that a supervisor surveys the rooms first and picks up any tips before sending in housekeeping . :confused:

After that, we always handed a tip directly to the housekeeper servicing our room. It may or may not be compulsory, but I know it was appreciated.

And while on the subject of tipping-- I've come to appreciate what a great system it is-- In the US, service people are (typically) striving to optimize their tip from the moment they serve you. In Europe, the general attitude is much more "laid-back" (that's my euphemism) UNTIL they receive their first tip-- and then, they respond enthusiastically. Some people think it's gauche to tip in Europe. I totally disagree.

I've got to weigh in strongly against tipping unless there's a specific reason. This is not like we're staying in hotels that fight to keep prices outrageously low. No, I'm sorry, maybe I just am cheap, but if I'm paying $280 (or more) dollars a night, I *expect* my room to be cleaned! Call it a sense of entitlement, but I pay a huge amount of money and I expect something for it.

If the property isn't compensating the housekeeping staff appropriately, they should do something about it and demand more money from the hotel management. Most housekeepers are unionized, and if they aren't, they should be. This is what unions are good for, protecting the average worker.
Steve

I may be painting a cheap- to this crowd- picture of my self but I have never even heard of this! I consider myself rather well rounded and worldy for the old age of 25. I tip VERY well on meals, more than most of my peers (older professionals and younger social peers). However, the idea of tippin housekeeping has never crossed my mind.

I guess I agree with the poster above. When I spend $200 or more a night to stay in a hotel- espically on vacation when its my own dime- i consider that part of the service I have bought. That is what I am paying for. Otherwise I'd be at home making my own bed and it wouldn't be vacation.

Do people tip the Hertz or Avis people who take your car to be washed when you return it? I hope not b/c they always leave the radio on loud rap with the bass punched up so high it will make your fillings fall out when you get in.

What about the flight attendant who takes your coat in first class... I guess my point is, arn't those part of the services you bought and arn't those employees compensated for their jobs?

My time in Europe combined with a wife who has waited tables has made me realize that the resturant business in this country treats its workers very unfairly. I'd love to see a system where they were paid on a real wage scale. However, I know they are not and I know tipping is part of the expirence, so I expect to do it. However- and correct me if I am wrong- arn't hotel staff, hertz car people, flight attendants, etc all paid at least minimum wage?

Now, don't get me wrong, the bleeding heart liberal in me really does see the point. I hate the idea of those folks being the primary bread winners and not beinig able to make ends meet. Likewise, I have always tipped bell hops (when used) and vallet persons, so I can understand the logic. I guess its something I am going to have to take into consideration.
The look of the bell hops in Australia when I tried to tip them was priceless! Similar to the 20% I tend to leave in France... old habits die hard.

Now, I gave a nice tip to the workers at the palace hotel in SFO last night. They were kind enough to remind me of their importance all night long. I rewarded them with a loud "STFU" and a nice dump of cold water.
(man am I going to get flamed for that)

I suppose that we learn our tipping habits from our parents. My dad was a university professor on a tight budget (who through scrimping and saving was able to travel). My parents didn't stay at the lux hotels I am fortunate enough to frequent but they taught me to always leave a tip for housekeeping. I guess I never questioned it. Then, I worked as a cocktail waitress and bartender during college and observed first hand how critical tips can be.

The logic of tipping bellmen, doormen, and concierges but not housekeeping escapes me. All of those services could be *expected* as part of the price. Tipping is an incentive that inspires above-average service and a reward when one receives it. I'm all for it.

I tip housekeeping more b/c they spend more time and effort creating a better experience for me in the hotel. They usually don't get recognized for their effort b/c we don't see them doing their work - we just see the end product. They are usually women, sometimes minorities, working hard to support their families. Ask yourself this question? Do you like scrubbing bathroom tiles in your own home? The answer should tell you whether you should tip housekeeping or not.

If we go to the expensive restaurant and pay $100 per person for dinner, you don't tip any to the waiters because you already pay $100 ?
Should $100 cover everything, food and services?

Aside from the fact that most housekeepers I have spoken to are barely getting by on their wages; I find that more times than not I receive more value in return for the tips. This is expecially true for longer stays. I find that occassional tips to club lounge attendants will reap good rewards as well.

I don't tip for housekeeping no matter what size room I'm in.

QL

I rarely tip housekeeping anymore. My sense is that this is more of a practice from the past, particularly in non-5 star hotels. If there's something super out of the ordinary, then maybe I will tip...

If I am staying for a week or so with kids, then I'll probably tip.

I think it's hard to feel compelled to tip someone you never see, which is my typical experience on a busienss trip of 1-2 nights.

I am not sure if this is "right" or "wrong".

On a different note, I was shocked to see people tip the staff at the Westin Times Square CLub Lounge, where we go to have our free breakfast as much as $15!!!

Interesting, my expereince is that the breakfast employees inside the Sheraton NY Hotel & Towers Club Lounge are scouring for tips to the point of the service being a tad overwhelming.

On another related note, is this why they keep the raspberries out of sight unless requested?

The logic of tipping bellmen, doormen, and concierges but not housekeeping escapes me.

Most of the former are men; most of the latter are women. There might be a gender issue here. Also, of course, it's much easier to skunk someone on her tip if you don't actually see her. It takes nerves of steel to refuse to tip a bellman when he's standing right before you with his hand held out!

I always tip housekeeping, and get great service, extra amenities, extra chocolates for turndown, etc. I figure that if I can spend that much on a room, I can afford another 2-3 dollars to make someone's day!

The logic of tipping bellmen, doormen, and concierges but not housekeeping escapes me.

... {snip}

It takes nerves of steel to refuse to tip a bellman when he's standing right before you with his hand held out!

Please, please: do not tip people with their hands out. This is outrageous behavior, and it encourages the notion that gratuities are mandatory. And it demeans the travel experience for the significant majority of people on this planet who tip only when extraordinary services are rendered.

I do not use bellmen or doormen (are we talking about the guy who opens the taxi door?) at hotels. The doormen in my building do get gifts at Christmas, but this is for a year's worth of real labor. If a concierge does something extraordinary, by all means give a gratuity. But not for run-of-the-mill phone calls for a restaurant address, etc.

My sense as a lifelong traveler, is that the tipping-is-expected notion is really getting out of hand in the US, but remains thankfully curbed in most of the world.

Those bellmen and doormen have come through big-time for me in the past. On at least one occasion, the bellman schmoozed the desk into upgrading our room after we expressed disappointment with the first assignment. The doormen always remember us and go out of their way to help us. When I add up all the tips for a 5 day stay, it seems like good value for the extra service we receive.

The thing I hate about this whole tipping scheme is traveling on business in the USA alone I tend to have to eat a lot of meals alone. As this means the dinner check will be smaller than the table with 4 people, the tip will be proportionally smaller. So I definitely see a difference in service where the wait staff knows the tip will be smaller so not as much effort is put into serving me. I've never had bad service and I do leave good tips for meals but this is my observation and experience.

And how many of you tip room service? At all hotels in the USA, Europe, Asia there is a service charge added automatically on top of the meal charge. Do you then add a tip on top of that? I don't. Only if there is no service charge added.

In Europe and Asia my experience is do not tip. In most of Asia before I knew this the staff appeared insulted when I tried to tip. In Europe you will get fine service without tipping and in areas where there is not much or no American Tourism they won't take it. But in areas where there is lots of American tourism they take it gladly as they know us stupid Americans don't know not to tip. In Asia and Europe I have NO difference in service from when I used to tip and now that I don't tip. It is not expected and most of the time refused. Tipping is an American thing.

And as I noted in my initial paragraph it makes too much difference in the service you get at restaurants when you have to eat alone. Just a fact of life in America.

And the types of jobs that are classified as jobs that receive tips allows the employer (supported by the law) to pass on the wages given to the employee to the customer. A loop hole that allows an employee to not have to pay real wages.

It also encourages employees to not report all tips received if they get a large amount of tips beyond what the IRS thinks they get.

Enough rambling

Ok, it's been about 30 days now since my last post on this burning subject, when I promisedn to report back on the results of my 'new' daily tipping pattern:

1) tipped 200-300 pesos (~$1.80 to $2.50) per day on 3 trips to Mexico: 'better' turn down service, towels refreshed quickly, room redone before noon most time. But then again, it was a Sheraton Suites and a Marriott Real, both very fine properties, so it's unclear if the 'good' service was due to my daily tip or not.

2) tipped $2-$3 per day at a Marriott Courtyard in Orlando: towels refreshed 'more' frequently? More coffee packs, and once a thank you note from the housekeeper..

3) tipped $3 per day at Westin in NYC: no noticeable difference.

Bottom line: not enough data yet to conclude anything. Will continue to explore this subject and report back in 90 days.

But then again, it was a Sheraton Suites and a Marriott Real, both very fine properties, so it's unclear if the 'good' service was due to my daily tip or not.



Well, I know the Sheraton Brand.

And, I know the Marriott Brand.

And, I know the Camino Real Brand.

However, the Marriott Real is a new one altogether. :p

Well, I know the Sheraton Brand.

And, I know the Marriott Brand.

And, I know the Camino Real Brand.

However, the Marriott Real is a new one altogether. :p

The Marriott Real Puebla, where I spent several fantastic night is described at http://marriott.com/property/propertyPage.mi?marshaCode=PBCMC

It is a magnificient property, especially the Executive Room, with superlative services, fantastic restaurants, and a setting which reminds me of the South of France.

After reading this thread I became intrigued about this issue. I was in the W Silicon Valley and had been upgraded to a nice large 3 room suite. Since I was working in my room all day it was late- around 4:30- when I was able to get a break and let maid service in. After she finished I handed her a $5 and thanked her very much for fitting me in so late. She was genuinely taken aback. The look on her face was surprise and appreciative at the same time.
The real test came the next day- would my room be any different… cleaner, anything? It wasn’t. I know I wasn’t paying her to do a better job- they already do a great job… but it didn’t seem to garner anything special (and I know that’s not the point).
For the rest of my trip- including 2 nights in the W San Fran- I started putting a few bucks in an envelope on the bed. I really saw some logic in it. When I am on vacation- especially with my wife- we tend to clutter a room pretty badly. I guess I thought that anyone who had to pick up our things in addition to the room deserved a little recognition.

As for bellmen, I typically don’t use them (a la tiger woods ;) ). I have one overnight bag and a briefcase… I can manage. In San Fran we had 3 cases of wine and 3 bags and I was more than happy to use bell service. After unloading our bags and getting us ice, I was more than happy to tip him… I’d have paid anyone to carry those wine cases!

Currently I’m in a nasty Hilton Garden Inn (*wood… PLEASE build/buy something in Alpharetta GA). My room sucks as do the sandpaper sheets. I have one bag and I keep my clothes hanging in the closet. With the exception of a unmade bed and a few toiletries, my room looks almost untouched. I really don’t have any intention of tipping housekeeping there.

I guess what I’ve decided is that it is worth it when I’ve splayed out all over the room, or made a mess or am in a nice hotel with great service. When I am in some low-end business hotel, I think its part of what you are paying for. Maybe that’s an unfair line in the sand… I’ll have to sleep on it ;)

Good thing this thread exists, I hate starting new threads and getting flamed! I'll be spending the next 3 weeks at the St. Regis Beijing. As a Plat, I was automatically upgraded to a Statesman Suite (I booked the lowest price room; however a check of my reservation at spg.com showed the suite as my room). I know that tipping in China is a no-no, but this hotel does have a Butler on each floor that I will be using on a semi-regular basis for small errands like ironing, shoe shining, etc. Should I tip? If so, how much? Daily? Weekly? Since my room will be larger, should I leave anything for housekeeping?
Thanks.

Good thing this thread exists, I hate starting new threads and getting flamed! I'll be spending the next 3 weeks at the St. Regis Beijing. As a Plat, I was automatically upgraded to a Statesman Suite (I booked the lowest price room; however a check of my reservation at spg.com showed the suite as my room). I know that tipping in China is a no-no, but this hotel does have a Butler on each floor that I will be using on a semi-regular basis for small errands like ironing, shoe shining, etc. Should I tip? If so, how much? Daily? Weekly? Since my room will be larger, should I leave anything for housekeeping?
Thanks.

I just got back from China with two stays at the St. Regis Beijing(one five nighter and a two nighter). Upgraded to the Executive Deluxe and Statesman Suite respectively. I had the butler shy my shoes and press my shirts and suit a few times. I usually ask if he/she will be my butler for the rest of the day or if there is a shift change. I try to give them the tip before their shift ends. How much? I guess that depends on what was done. They certainly don't expect any tip from you, but you will make their day if you do.

I just got back from China with two stays at the St. Regis Beijing(one five nighter and a two nighter). Upgraded to the Executive Deluxe and Statesman Suite respectively. I had the butler shy my shoes and press my shirts and suit a few times. I usually ask if he/she will be my butler for the rest of the day or if there is a shift change. I try to give them the tip before their shift ends. How much? I guess that depends on what was done. They certainly don't expect any tip from you, but you will make their day if you do.

Motion, did you leave tips housekeeping? Also, if you wouldn't mind, can you provide your impressions of the Statesman Suite? How was the Exec. Deluxe room? Thanks.

Motion, did you leave tips housekeeping? Also, if you wouldn't mind, can you provide your impressions of the Statesman Suite? How was the Exec. Deluxe room? Thanks.

Executive Deluxe is just one big room with a living area(sofa, desk, tv, etc..). The Statesman Suite is in my opinon a bigger version of the Executive Deluxe, but with doors seperating the living room and bedroom. In addition, you get a gurest restroom and coat closet. I prefer the Satesman Suite over the Exec. Deluxe when I know I have guests coming over during my stay.

I just got back from St. Regis Beijing and stayed at Statesman Suite.
It was not a spacious suite, but not bad.
Club lounge was not spacious, too and many members had drinks without any chairs. No wonder they could not serve the breakfast there.
The hotel has natural hot spring and any hotel guests can access to the SPA.
It was nice after long walk in the city.
Breakfast was nice but a little pricy(about $20 per person).
I used Sheraton Privilege card so I just paid half.
High speed Internet costs a little more than $10 per 24 hours.
Platimun member can choose free 1 day internet as the check in benefit in stead of popular 500 SPG points .

Tak, thanks for the write-up. I'll be staying here for 20 days this coming month; I'll post a TR in an appropriate thread soon after checking in.