Should You Tip Hotel Housekeeping?

Rules and etiquette around tipping have changed rapidly over the past few years. Everyone has always known to tip the big three: servers, hair stylists, and bartenders. And most folks know to tip valets, nail technicians, and bellhops, too. But now it’s also standard to be asked for tips on takeout orders or when we order food at a counter. There are even some stores and boutiques where customers are expected to tip shop attendants who help them choose and try on clothing.

But the one hospitality worker who seems to always get stiffed? Housekeepers. According to a survey from Bankrate, only 23% of hotel guests leave a tip for housekeepers.

There are several reasons such a low number of hotel guests tip their housekeepers. One is sheer ignorance of this etiquette rule. Another is an out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality. Unlike valets and bellhops who interact directly with guests, we hardly ever come face-to-face with our housekeepers. It can be easy to forget all their hard work when you’re rushing to check out on time. Here's why you should tip your housekeeper and how much.

Why You Should Tip Hotel Housekeeping

Housekeepers are some of the hardest working service industry professionals there are. They do the thankless work of wiping down every surface in your bedroom, re-tucking your sheets, vacuuming your room service crumbs, and scrubbing the bathroom—all so you can have a pristine space and freshly made bed to dive into each night. If that’s not worth a little gratitude, we don’t know what is.

How Much Should You Tip Your Hotel Housekeeper?

Guests should tip housekeeping anywhere between $1 to $5 per night for a mid-range or business hotel. For luxury hotels where the staff offers daily cleaning services and nightly turndown services, guests should leave a little more. For houses and villas, or large suites where there are multiple rooms to clean, consider leaving anywhere from $10 to $20 per night. As a rule of thumb, the bigger the mess, the more you should tip. If you’ve got toddlers who are hellbent on feeding themselves, an extra $5 bill wouldn’t hurt. The same applies if you’re traveling with a furry friend.

What If Your Room Wasn't Cleaned?

With many hotels moving towards greener practices, your room may not get cleaned on a daily basis (or even at all during a short stay). However, leaving a tip is still a good practice. Remember that the housekeeper had to clean your room before you arrived so that you could enjoy your stay, and they'll clean up your messes for the next guest who arrives after.

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Follow These Tips For Good Tipping Etiquette

There are several acceptable ways to tip your housekeeper. If you’re staying somewhere where your room is cleaned daily, it’s helpful to leave a little something each day since a different person may clean your room from one day to the next.

• Always tip in cash (no gift cards or homemade trinkets), and leave your tip somewhere where it can be easily found. The desk and nightstand are both good spots; just steer clear of the bed. Tips can easily be lost as the sheets are getting stripped. If the hotel provides stationery, it’s nice to leave the money in an envelope and include a brief note expressing your thanks.  
  
• If you forget to leave a daily tip, it's also acceptable to tip one lump sum in your room or at the front desk at the end of your stay. Just be sure to tell the concierge which room you were in so they can evenly distribute the gift.
  

Now that you know the basics of hotel housekeeping gratuity, you can spread the gospel and help make sure all hotel housekeepers are well thanked and appropriately compensated for their hard work.