I read over many of the tipping questions. I am interested in housekeeping. I thought $2 a day was right for a neat couple (no kids). What do you tip? Especially, we are staying at the Grand Floridian soon. I was surprised on a Disneyworld planning site that several people mentioned leaving the housekeeping a tipe with a special note or envelope with a sticker and one said $4 a night. Am I mssing something here? We do not consider ourselves tip and always tip generously for good service, but a special thank you for the housekeeper? At over $350 a night, shouldn't the guests deserve good housekeeping without a special note? I appreciate them cleaning up, but it is their job. Any opinions?

More people are tipping housekeeping nowadays than ever before. You tip the bellman and the waitress, why not the housekeeper? It's really up to you.

Now I do feel badly as I must confess, I've never tipped housekeeping anywhere. I do always try to make sure the room is tidy before we walk out...my husband gives me a bad time and says I clean up for the maid! Alice

I used to never tip, but,now, I leave a $2. Plus, I try to leave the room clean.

Donna,

I hate to burst your bubble but $2.00 per couple is below average--especially for a room costing over $350 per night. Many housekeeping employees are making minimum wage at best.

As you have probably already realized from traveling, immigrants make up a huge portion of the housekeeeping workforce. Some of this workforce is comprised of illegals (who make far below minimum wage).

What you're asking is akin to saying, "we just spent $350 on dinner, why should we have to tip?" Fortunately, there is no such standard percentage for housekeepers. However, four to five dollars per couple would be appropriate in most situations.

There is also the "insurance" factor. By tipping the norm you are insuring that your water glasses, toothbrushes and other personal items aren't being washed in the toilet while you're away. I'm not saying this happens everywhere but it does happen.

This is why it pays to be courteous to the service people who bring your food, clean your room, etc...

TTT

Well I tip at some hotels and not at others. I don't think I will EVER tip if Vegas again unless services is above and beyond. Those maids just threatened a strike if they didn't get their wages rased to over $14 per hour plus full medical. They got their raise too. Now yes I am happy to tip for a job well done and if I feel that they rely heavily on tips. I won't just tip because I feel obligated too. I am already paying for a clean room thank you very much.

I usually tip $1pp/day and I tip every day in case their is a new housekeeper the next day. If I ask for more towels etc..I tip more.

You must realize there are some very hard working people in the housekeeping industry & Disney sure as heck isn't paying them. They are a very stingy corporation & are known for low balling their employees.

I got the impression that many people where tipping in hope that the housekeeper would do special things..usually for their kids.

We stayed at the Polynesian about a month ago...left $5 day and no special touches.

I tipped not expected anything,,,but all the Disney fans had me wondering. They recomended tipping daily because of frequent changes in housekeepers.

Tippy, are you saying that Disneyworld violates immigration and fair labor standards laws by hiring illegal aliens and paying them below minimum wage? Do they discriminate and pay legal workers more than illegal ones? How interesting, I'm sure the appropriate authorities will be interested in that. Illegal aliens may work for below min. wage in under-the-table jobs but I don't think employers like Disneyworld are doing that. I know the wage for housekeepers in the major hotels where I live is somewhat higher than minimum wage.

I think it may be the same as other people whose palm is out, the bellboy, etc. If you are spending $350 a night on a room, I think you can tip some also. I also think hotels that cost that much pay their housekeeping staff more than min. wage, although Disney is so cheap as is Florida, so maybe not there.

Monique,

Everything in Vegas is unionized. Because of this, the housekeepers there who you say are making $14 per hour are the exception to the rule.

I'm with Tippy on this one. Those who fail to leave tips for housekeeping (ESPECIALLY in a place like Vegas where tips are expected) run the risk of "swirly specials."

DJ

Minnie,

I would like to know where in my posting I said that Disney hired Illegal workers. What I said was, "immigrants make up a huge portion of the housekeeeping workforce. Some of this workforce is comprised of illegals (who make far below minimum wage)."

I have no idea if Disney hires illegals or not. I do know that many other places do. Please get your facts straight when quoting someone.

Tippy

Minnie,

Actually, it came out in Orlando that Disney has gone to other countries' universities, enticing students with "programs" to introduce them to hotel management. When they get to the U.S. they are then put to work as hotel housekeepers, without much recourse. I love Disney World- but don't trust Disney- they want the almighty dollar, period.

We stayed at a moderate level hotel at Disneyworld, and I left $2/day in an envelope as suggested by the disney fan site. We did not have little children with us (my daughter was in college at the time) but when we would return at the end of the day, there were frequently surprizes for us...in the best sense! One day all the stuffed critters my daughter had collected were seated on the bed, the TV was turned on to the Disney channel, and Tigger was holding the remote! We loved it. I hope you will tip your housekeepers in an appropriate manner.

We usually leave $1/pp per day wherever we go, which is $4 per day for us. I don't know if it was the result of tipping at Disney, but like Ann, we would find our daughter's stuffed animals arranged differently. Our daughter, who is 3, loved seeing her animals sitting in the window when we returned to our room. D