peter11

Isn't $17/hour the miniumum wage in NYC? Okay, it sounds pretty good but I bet that a tip job in a hotel nets more than a housekeeper anyday. In any case $17 does not go far in NY.

mktozd

OK, so is $5 per day the average for a US Four Seasons? Do you leave it every day or at the beginning or end of the trip?

A more specific question? Do you do something special if you are staying at a hotel over the festive season between Christmas and New years?

luxury

If I am in a room (as opposed to a suite) at a luxury hotel in the US I tend to leave $5 per day -- more if the room is messier than normal. If I am in a suite, I leave more, $10 - $20 per day depending upon the size of the suite AND the relationship I have with the hotel.

Since I tend to tip fairly generously (I think, at least) to housekeeping I don't normally do anything special for them over Holiday periods. I do tend to do something for any key contacts I have at the hotel (be it a Manager and/or Concierge).

sportsguymichael

I leave $5 every day in a luxury property.
I used to leave it at the end of my stay and realized it could be someone different cleaning my room that one day who is the beneficiary instead of the person who cleaned it the previous 3 days.

RA-wannabe

I used to work as a bellboy when I was in college(which is abt 10 years ago). I'm based in Singapore. When guests tip me, I feel like I don't know what to do with the money. To a certain extent, I felt insulted. I'm helping you because it is my job and I am proud doing that. Giving me a tip makes me feel more inferior and sort of insults my professionalism. Makes me feel like a money-grabbing beggar. We used to talk among ourselves abt this tipping thing in the backroom when we are having our break and we all agreed that it is uncalled for.

So before you tip somebody, especially in Asian culture, please be sensitive.

mktozd

Thank you, I have to admit, that while I am a good tipper to waiters, doormen, concierge, housekeeping is an area that I have typically overlooked. Thank you for the heads up.

e.ck35

I usually leave a tip and a little note before I check out.

m.photog

We generally leave $5 per day. In most cases I will leave it on the pillow although I have given it to them in person. Last weekend we were at the Renaissance in Charleston SC. I thought it was interesting that an envelope was provided with the name of the housekeeper

luxury

In Asia, it is typical for the hotel to charge a 10% service fee on top of the room rate. As such, I consider this to cover all gratuities and I do not leave any gratuity at all when in Asia.

roccor

You got that right!

HCA

I usually left $1-$2 pay day/per person depend on the work I need (how messy).

ORDnHKG

There is really no should or shouldnot for tip. If they do the job, yes, and if they don't, no.

Just stayed at the RC San Francisco. First night, at the turndown service, no chocolates, no refill of toiletries, no refill of ice, although it did have two bottles of water and make up the bed. No tip.

Second night, I was actually in the room when the maid came for turndown, maid ask me what kind of chocolate do I want, and she gave me 5 pieces from each. Offer to refill of ice, gave me extra toiletries since I told her I really like Bvlgari, so I gave her a $5 bill. And she is really happy. I did ask about why there was not chocolate previous night, she said probably the turndown was done from the day time staff, they forgot the box and didn't bother to go back to take it on the cart.

fumanku

As a frequent hotel stay-er in Asia, I never leave a gratuity for the hotel staff. I don't think its necessary, and in most instances they do not accept. I remember on one of my first stays at Tokyo Park Hyatt, I left a 2000 yen tip for a few day stay, and the hotel actually mailed it back to me with a nice note saying that I "Forgot" it in the room.