Kathy

I have been having an argument with my husband lately. When we were in a hotel recently I mentioned leaving a tip for the maid. He left the tip but did not agree with this concept.
Can anyone tell me what the rule is here?
By the way, my husband is always a generous tipper when it comes to dinner, handling luggage, parking cars - but for some reason he has it in his head that you don't have to leave a tip for the maids. I told him I would put this question on Fodors and he said he would abide by the opinions here.
Thanks so much.

Gerry

I don't know what the rule is but I usually tip a dollar or two a day depending on what they did. Sometimes more if they did something extra. They don't get paid very much so I don't mind giving them something even if only a little. It's a very small expense compared to the price of the room.
Hopefully someone else can tell us what the "rules" might be.

Gerry

PS: Of course never leave the tip until you check out. They are not supposed to touch any money left in your room until you have gone.

ldsant

I always tip about $2 per day for the maid, but if they have done something special, I give them a tip at the time of service since oftentimes, the maid who straightens your room during the week may not be the same person on the weekend (if you're staying over). I agree, these people don't get paid much and without their service then. . .But, if I'm staying at a resort and being charged a resort fee, this includes the tip to the maid (found out from the hotel front desk who explained that it's not necessary to tip the valet, bell person or maid since it's included in the daily resort fee), so I don't leave anything.

Also, if I've only stayed one night usually <12 hours, I don't tip at all.

Leone

Pretty easy one: leave two dollars per day, or if they've done something special for you, leave a separate amount as well, along with a note of thanks. I use this around the world. And it has worked like a charm ... except in Morocco where it worked too well. The maid kept freshening up our bathroom all day long, always expecting another tip. This continued even when my wife was seated and most definetly not encouraging company. The power of the US currency at work. Ciao

Steve

You were in a third world country Leone what did you expect? Does the phrase "all but for the Grace of God go I", mean anything to you? Have a little compassion.

Leone

Steve, LOL, but what in the world are you reacting to? Mine was a serious message advocating money each and every day for the maids ... in opposition to some of the earlier postings. Did you read them? The bit about my wife was true ... but intended humorously ... it was a funny scene for all of us except you know who. I try to be civil, at least most of the time, but to your outburst, the most I can muster is to be charitable and just let it pass, but wish you a better day. Ciao

jim

A previous post mentioned that maids aren't allowed to touch money in a room. That's true, but some hotels provide a small envelope for that purpose. If there isn't one, I usually just take a piece of paper from a pad, write "tip for maid" on it, and leave the note and a dollar or two on the bed so the maid is usre to see it.

And, really, given the cost of a hotel room, is it really so outrageous to give a maid $1 or $2, especially if they;re doing a good job? If your answer is "no," I won't argue but I will disagree.

oldfogey

This issue has always bugged me. At what point does the tipping stop? I read these guides about how much to tip who, and can't believe it. When did it become out of fashion to just do a good job because it's your job? I will gladly tip someone who has gone out of their way to aid me(replace a broken iron, bring extra blankets, etc.). I realize many service workers are not paid reasonable salaries, but must I cough up a $20 tip to the mailman just because he has done what he was hired to do? Boy, I know I sound sour, but it's frustrating! Being in health care, when was the last time anyone left a tip for the hospital custodian for taking care of the cola your child spilled all over the floor? Or the nurse in your doctor's office who helped you in the chair, out to your car, or offered to rearrange other appointments to work you in? Whew.

L

Hey, Jim, if they disagree, you don't need to argeu with them, but it will be okay to think they're unfeeling and cheap. Sure, if there's an envelop, use it, but often there's not. The first morning, I leave a note with the money, written in their language, telling the maid who we are and how long we'll be in the hotel, and I sepcifically include my thanks for their great service. And then I leave money, religiously, each morning thereafter. Guess what I never experince? Bad service. Not really an Einstein thing, I suppose. Ciao

Stacey

Every one has to drawl their own line. At what point is tipping enough? I don't think tipping someone who in all likelyhood (maid) is only getting $8 an hour or less is over the top. I think not tipping in this instance is just plain cheap. What bother's me is when I pay $80 on a half day (group)boat tour and then I am expected to cough up and additional $5-$10 dollars for the warm smiles on the boat, Please!

Jennifer

To Oldfogey, I have worked in healthcare and have had incredible tips offered to me. We are not allowed to accept that is why you might not see it. It violates a code of ethics if a patient feels like his\her care is dependent on the tipping process than it might inhibit him/her in seeking care. This is why you can't buy a kidney or a bunch of other stuff, ethics dalink. Tipping the maid, do it dam it!!! She is getting minimum wage to clean up your jfklsj. What is wrong with that?

chris

I always tip the maid. Once while staying at a small hotel in Jamaica we gave a maid $10 tip for doing an exceptional job on our laundry. We didn't think anything of it till the next day when she told us she had been worried sick about a bill she had to pay and then she got our money, which covered the bill. Sometimes we don't appreciate how far or how much our money can mean to others, especially in third world countries.

Patrice

Here Here Chris!!!

dave

O.K. I've been on both sides. I cleaned hotel rooms in college at a hotel that threw big football tailgate parties. Absolute pigpens the day after. Probably cleaned hundreds of rooms, and was left a tip about 4 times. While appreciated, I appreciated an easy room to clean even more. So now that I am doing fine and travel, I'll tip when someone has gone out of their way to do something for me, or if things are done above what I would minimally expect. Otherwise, I don't ask for much and expect not to be asked for much in return. If you are staying more than a day or two, most service is simply changing the bedding(some places don't even do this until you leave) and replacing towels which takes all of 10 or 15 minutes. So unless I have smashed Doritos into the carpet or left unwanted used personal items laying around, my tip is to make their daily routine quicker and easier. Anything more and I'll tip what I think it is worth. A somewhat famous band once stayed in a room I cleaned and tipped me with a case of Rolling Rock they had left over. As a college student, I was quite appreciative even though the band is quite rich and left no money and a trashed room.

Carl

Dave not everyone who is a maid is using it as a stepping stone while in college.I don't think you can identify with someone supporting their family. I don't think the beer tip will go over quite so well. Where do you live that it is acceptable to stiff a maid.

Just-My-Opinion

I agree with what Dave said. I always try to leave our motel room tidy. So much so that my husband reminds me the motel/hotel does employ maids.
That said, it seems to me that maid service is included in the bill. I mean, isn't it?
OK, so in general, they make about $6 an hour -- very close to the minimum wage.
Does that mean I/we should tip EVERYONE making minimum wage? How about the counter help at fast food eateries? How about the cashiers at the "dollar stores" whose wages are not likely to be covered by a union contract like those cashiers in large supermarkets?
How about the counter workers at the convenience stores, such as 7-11?
I'm not talking about asking for and receiving "extra" service. I'm commenting on those who feel a lodging maid in the USA whom one never sees deserves another $1, or $2 a night for doing their job?

William

To Just my opinion with your logic noone should be tipped. Could all the cheap people please stay home this summer.

Joey

I always leave the maid a couple of bucks.

I also know a guy in Brooklyn that sells Kidneys.

Carl

nobody outside of Staten Island thinks Joey Buttafucco is funny, joey junior, so it's beddy by time. Let the adults answer some of these questions. Besides don't you think you will be able to answer this better after your first real job?