For me, when traveling with my wife, I usually have the bellman assist with the luggage. If by myself, then I do my own.

Tip is dependent on the service provided and by how many.

Service can include: unloading car or taxi (usually taxi driver and hotel "greeter" fight over this task; toting bags to the lobby (sometimes a different person); toting bags to the room; hotel information (value varies with the familiarity you have with the facility; answers to my questions; distances involved; getting ice; holding on to the bags until room is ready; letting you know about special promo items at the hotel (early diner special, happy hour, etc)that will save my money, etc. Bags usually are 3-4 (two carry ons, 1 garment bag and sometimes a roller suitcase). Tip is $3 -$7 for all these people combined. Anyone involved in solely opening the door, taking a bag out of the trunk or into the hotel lobby, gets thanked unless the service is asked for. I assume these people all get together somewhere and share (I do not care if I am wrong).

Maids are, for me, $1/night ($2 if a suite) provided all is normal. Any special requests or unusual service is subject to immediate tip. Poor service is reported and no tip left.

Valets, I tip $1-2, upon my return each time I take the car out. The amount is based on the distance it saves me, the weather and what charges may be imposed for such service.

Room service, most of the time I believe that the added "room service charge or delivery charge" is not given to the server. Often a 15% tip is included, and then a line for tip is also on the bill for another tip. If the 15% is there I never tip more. If it is not, I look to the bill and go $2-5. I just do not think the service is worth more than that. A hamburger and coke from room service may start out as $10-2 but ends up as $17-20 with tax, grad., delivery charge and then another tip???

I can carry my bags (generally one or one and a briefcase) to my room. If I have to use one: 1-2 dollars.

I also give about 1 dollar per bag if I have to stow it with the bellman if I'm stuck in a town for a few hours. WHY Schelep bags around.

But 10 dollars: they would own the hotel in a year!!!

Punki says Punki, having met you last night, you are definitely not old...but I have no doubt you are perfectly capable of handling your bags (or most anything else!) on your own!!

My guideline is 1 USD per bag, unless the bell person does something out of the ordinary. i.e. at the Park Hyatt in Toronto we started up a conversation about where to go and where to eat, and ended up talking for more than ten minutes after he got my bags up to the room. For that, I gave him 10 CAD...

But I guess I should note that most of the time I carry my own bags...

[This message has been edited by jet (edited 09-07-1999).]

Stay at Motel 6 and you won't have to worry about these things.