Is it customary to leave a gratuity for the chambermaids in Europe? If so, what is Typical...a couple of euro per night?

Thanks!

It depends.. normally no for a few days but if you have stayed for a much longer period you might leave say Euro5 for a week's stay.

We generally do tip a couple of Euro a day if the service has been good. We leave it all at the end of the stay.

It also depends on the hotel. Lots of small hotels in Italy are mom-and-pop operations, and the chambermaid may be a member of the family, in which case a tip wouldn't be appropriate. Italians generally don't tip, anyway, but in tourist cities, waiters and other service persons are beginning to expect tips from foreigners.

I generally tip. I remember my days as a chambermaid in Many Glacier hotel when I was in college. That is some really hard work!

I usually leave a tip each day, with a note saying it's for the chambermaid. In some hotels, a different person may clean the room each day.

We do the same, Peg. Tipping at the end of the stay might give a bonanza to the maid who has not been cleaning our room all week.

Leave at least a euro or two on top of your pillow every day, so that it is obvious that you haven't just dropped it. If you want to put a note under it saying danke, or thank you, that is also appreciated. If you made a big mess or have kids that make a mess, leave a bit more. They are on a really strict time schedule in most hotels and if they have to do a bunch of extra stuff in your room, then tip more.

I always leave a tip (minimum two euros) each day for the woman who cleans my toilet and makes my bed. Usually with a note saying "for you -- thank you" in the local language.

These women work very hard under a lot of pressure and with next to no recognition or opportunities for advancement. The anti-tippers will tell you not to because these women earn a "living wage". For many, that's a euphemism for "barely surviving on the knife-edge of poverty wage", especially at hotels in places with a high cost of living.

It really burns me when some people tip bellmen generously (who have simply stuck your luggage on a wheeled cart, pushed the cart onto an elevator and then dropped it off in your room) but won't leave even a eurocent for chambermaids.

I also tip daily. Same as in the U.S.

How many of these tippers are Europeans? The OP is asking about European custom, not about Americans importing their habits to other countries.

I never leave tips for chambermaids, and never have. If it weren't for fodors I would never even think of doing it.

thursdaysd, I've lived in Europe for 15 years and I follow the same practice as my French, Swiss, and German WOMEN friends (and that of my husband's German relatives) when it comes to chambermaid tipping.

I agree that if you are going to tip then do it daily. No point in one person getting a windfall at the end of your stay.

Like jamikins I have never tipped a chambermaid. It never occurred to me before I joined Fodors, and after joining, I still don't.

I never tip a chambermaid - in the US or Europe. Maybe I should start?

We always leave €2 each morning on the way out, regardless of how many days we're staying. It's the least you can do for someone who works hard and is usually on the lower end of the compensation scale.

Waiting until you leave, after staying a few days, is okay as long as you're certain that the person cleaning up after you is the same one who is there every day and will get the meager offering.

And although tipping is not common in every country, if you can't part with a few Euros, then you should clean up after yourself.

"Like jamikins I have never tipped a chambermaid. It never occurred to me before I joined Fodors, and after joining, I still don't." Yes, it takes all kinds to make a world, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Is it good, bad, or ugly to imply that European people have got it wrong about their tipping practices in Europe?

Italians do no tip. Still, I have spoken with a friend who works as chambermaid, and she says tips are well appreciated as the work is hard and the pay is low. Also appreciated are people who leave the room in decent conditions, so that it can be cleaned and made up in the allotted time without causing delays. I have heard a few horror stories from chambermaids and concierge people.

It may not be customary, but it makes me feel good.
And I would think it brightens the day of the hard-working chambermaid.

Thanks everyone!! I've always tipped chambermaids in the States, and will do so in Europe, regardless of the custom. I'm sure it's appreciated, especially during the holiday season.