"How much is a "nice tip" -- $10.00? $20.00?"

I guess I really don't know, but we left them each $5/night for the four we were there.

As for your description of the room... I think as long as the room is clean, it is irrelevant. (Unless of course you were misled but that is an owner-issue nothing to do with tipping.) The market sets the price and you agreed to pay it.

As for tipping at B&B's I do it at ones where I felt it was "good value" regardless of whether the owners have hired help or not. We just leave it in the room when we leave.

It's my way of saying "the market can't support the price you should charge for the wonderful stay you gave us, but I think you deserve more".

Enjoy-la!