How do I leave a tip for the maid?
 

Normally we do not leave a tip for maids at hotels. However, we're going to Vegas soon and a lot of the reviews of our hotel on TripAdvisor mention that their rooms either weren't cleaned at all or cleaned very late (6ish). So now I'm wondering if we leave a $20 tip on the first day of our stay and maybe $5 on the following days we'll get better service. If I don't see a maid in the hallway to give it to her directly, what's the best way to leave it in the room? I'm thinking to put it under the little thing you leave on the bed to get them to change the sheets since it seems like I've only seen envelopes for such tips in smaller hotels. Any ideas?

I leave a dollar a day on the bedside table.

We always tip our housekeepers, however, I've never tipped $20.00 a day. I usually lay a few dollars each day on the dresser with a note requesting more coffee, etc or just a 'thank you' for good service.

Leave the tip each day because there are sometimes different chambermaid on different days. The amount you leave should be dependant on what type of guest you are (messy or neat). I leave between $5/day (at standard hotels) and $10/day at upscale hotels.

I also tip $5 per day.

I have to rant...I cannot imagine tipping a housekeeper $1, or nothing as many do. People tip a bartender $1 for drawing a pint or mixing a drink. Total time invested is about 30 seconds to a minute tops. Housekeepers spend about 20 minutes cleaning up after you!

These are not invisible slaves, they are the people who will clean your toilet and fluff your pillow while NOT stealing your watch or computer!

A Traveller has it about right, as far as tipping on different days for different maids. However ...
Choose a daily amount you're comfortable with -- $2, $3, $5, etc.
I always leave a note with the money -- such as "for service." Some hotels forbid maids from picking up money that's "left" in a room, for fear of being charged with theft.

We tip between $2-$5 depending.

What you tip has absolutely no relation to what time your room will be cleaned.

If 500 rooms are vacated, those rooms will be cleaned first for the guests who are checking in that day.

My husband and I always tip $5 per day for hotel maid service. To be clear, I write "For housekeeping - thank you!" on a small sheet of paper and leave it with the money on the bathroom counter far from any toiletries. It's not a job I would want to do (cleaning up after other people) and I really appreciate the work they do.

I'm generally a $5 day tipper also.

Maids/housekeeping, in my opinion, are a lot more appreciative of tips than bellmen or doormen.

Merrytravel,
Is this your first time in the US as it is customary thruout the US to leave a tip for the maid. Unlike other countries, our unfortunate and hard working maids do not make a decent hourly wage and need the extra compensation.
$2. -5. per day, depending also left in the provided envelope.
Good luck!

I leave between $3-5 per day regardless of the "level" of the hotel since I tip based on the service I received.

In some instances I have given the tip directly to the individual when i knew they wouldn't be around to collect it on the day I planned to check out.

There is no "norm" for amounts and for that matter there is no "norm" for leaving anything for housekeeping as you can see.

Having worked as a bellBOY I can assure you they appreciate any tip just as much as anyone else does.

As to tipping upfront: I have found this works best on cruise ships where I always tip the cabin attendant at first meeting and make requests for how the bed is to be made up, etc. I also leave a tip at the end of the trip.

cybor: "Unlike other countries, our unfortunate and hard working maids do not make a decent hourly wage and need the extra compensation."

Which countries?
I sure can't think of any...maybe Canada?

I think the maids deserve a tip more than anyone else in the hotel! I am sure most don't tip, but when I think about the work they do, and the little they make, it's so important to leave something.
And like others said, don't leave a one time tip, because different people will clean on different days.

I am a $3.00-$5.00 per day kind of guy. I leave it on the pillow or someplace obvious on the bed. Most Vegas hotels have an envelope or a note with the maids name on it. I usually put that with the cash.

$20 on the first day is overkill IMHO.

I generally leave 3-5 dollars a day also, depending on the hotel. A travel agent friend suggested leaving it on the bed pillow, so that is what I have always done. I am afraid if I leave it on the nightstand or dresser, they'll think it's mine. I think the suggestion of leaving on the bathroom counter is good, too. I agree to leave it daily, as the housekeeping staff schedule changes.

Hello Joan,
I honestly can't answer your question but would suggest that you check online if wondering which countries standardly tip workers or if it's already included in one's bill.

The crux of the matter that the poster inquired about was tipping maids in the US. Sorry if I sidetracked anyone or hijacked this thread. My intent was to let the poster know that tipping a maid is very standard in this country.

Dukey,

While I am sure yo appreciated tips as a bellboy...with maids it is different.

I'll be almost everyone tips the bellmen for a few minutes work. I'd be surprised if the maids were tipped by more than 25% of guests and the maids clean bathrooms and work with chemicals.

Given the choice, I doubt bellmen and doormen with trade jobs with housekeeping...its dirty work and few tips

$2 per day per person. leave it on the unmade bed.

different people may clean your room different days so $20 at the start doesn't really make sense.

if there is no envelope and you feel the need to do something more, write "thank you" or "for the maid" on a slip of paper and leave it with the money.

Maids (they are generally called housekeepers these days) start making room checks for cleaning between 8:30 and 9 a.m. I always find the housekeeper in charge of our area on the floor and talk to her directly. If she is not the one to clean the room then she will pass the info on to the women who does do it. I always ask for early cleaning (while we are at breakfast) and it is always done. $3 is an acceptable tip. If your room is filthy (I have seen extremely messy rooms when walking down halls) then perhaps $5.

Frequently the same women will not clean your room everyday so it is best to do this daily and find the person directly if you can.

I leave $3 - $5 on my pillow each morning. I agree with Dick, though, and doubt that most people ever leave a tip for the maid.