Do you tip if basic items are missing and brought up by housekeeping?
Jan 31, 2013 | 11:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4,330
Do you tip if basic items are missing and brought up by housekeeping?
Just wondering what the proper protocol is on this one. Checked in to a hotel in NYC and there were no bath towels in the room. I called down and requested some be brought up and noted that there were none currently in the room, not that I needed extra. I felt a bit taken advantage of since I then tipped the person for something that should have already been in the room. Thoughts?
Jan 31, 2013 | 11:40 am
#3
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Location: Milton, GA USA
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If it is something that should have been in the room, I do not tip.
If I want "extra" of something, I either go down and get it myself or tip the person who brings it to me.
If I want "extra" of something, I either go down and get it myself or tip the person who brings it to me.
Jan 31, 2013 | 11:45 am
#5
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I'm with wharvey. No tip to get the standard towel set for the room; that should be included with the room rate. If I want a bunch of extra pillows or something, then yes I would tip.
Jan 31, 2013 | 11:50 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: IAH
Posts: 2,674
Hi princess,
You're back in Houston? Been a while, thought you lived in DC now.
Yes, if I call for the amenities I will generally tip even though they should have had the stuff there in the first place. I just do it to be nice. If it's a hotel I'll be visiting frequently I generally try to start the relationship with a good tipping policy. I started this habit at the Intercontinental in NOLA about twenty years ago and it really paid off with free upgrades, concierge services, etc.
However, I'm not in business for myself anymore, so I will have to see how my "employer" feels about my generosity
You're back in Houston? Been a while, thought you lived in DC now.
Yes, if I call for the amenities I will generally tip even though they should have had the stuff there in the first place. I just do it to be nice. If it's a hotel I'll be visiting frequently I generally try to start the relationship with a good tipping policy. I started this habit at the Intercontinental in NOLA about twenty years ago and it really paid off with free upgrades, concierge services, etc.
However, I'm not in business for myself anymore, so I will have to see how my "employer" feels about my generosity
Jan 31, 2013 | 12:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,443
I wouldn't tip if the missing item is a standard/essential one (but I ought to add, perhaps, that I'm not a big tipper anyway), even though I realise that the lack of the towels (or whatever) in the room is doubtless not the fault of the person who has to bring them up.
Jan 31, 2013 | 3:54 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4,330
Hi princess,
You're back in Houston? Been a while, thought you lived in DC now.
Yes, if I call for the amenities I will generally tip even though they should have had the stuff there in the first place. I just do it to be nice. If it's a hotel I'll be visiting frequently I generally try to start the relationship with a good tipping policy. I started this habit at the Intercontinental in NOLA about twenty years ago and it really paid off with free upgrades, concierge services, etc.
However, I'm not in business for myself anymore, so I will have to see how my "employer" feels about my generosity
You're back in Houston? Been a while, thought you lived in DC now.
Yes, if I call for the amenities I will generally tip even though they should have had the stuff there in the first place. I just do it to be nice. If it's a hotel I'll be visiting frequently I generally try to start the relationship with a good tipping policy. I started this habit at the Intercontinental in NOLA about twenty years ago and it really paid off with free upgrades, concierge services, etc.
However, I'm not in business for myself anymore, so I will have to see how my "employer" feels about my generosity
This was a large chain hotel in NYC so I doubt that the housekeeper would remember me, nor do I think it is likely that I would get the same housekeeper again.
Jan 31, 2013 | 4:22 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ELP
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I would have to agree with the people who say no tip if the items were supposed to be in the room already, but I would tip if I requested anything extra. Tipping for bringing stuff that should already be there might give the employees the idea that they can start forgetting a few things from rooms here and there on purpose in an effort to squeeze out a few more tips from the guests.
Jan 31, 2013 | 5:24 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: IAH
Posts: 2,674
Jan 31, 2013 | 6:01 pm
#15
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