Does everyone really tip housekeeping?

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen.

Those of us who frequent the over-priced Disney Resorts can afford a couple of dollars - it is the BEST way to thank someone for going the extra mile with towel animals for our children - etc.

The few dollars means much more to them than you can imagine and factored into a Disney vacation budget, doesn't even touch the comparison of an over-priced hamburger.

Try it - it WILL make you feel good when you see the response the next day. It's just a very nice thing to do.

How often do we have the chance to make someone feel good.

Anyone remember "random acts of kindness"?????????

My Gosh! With the cost of a Disney vacation.....if we can't afford a couple of dollars for the Mousekeepers than shame on us!

MY 2 cents worth.

Ok, flame suit on - I'm brave - go ahead I'm ready!

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Now I'm highly interested in which parts of the country typically tip housekeeping and which don't. It's an intriguing topic.

Feel free to post if you tip or don't tip housekeeping. And which state you're from. I'm curious to see if there is any type of trend.

Iowa - I do not tip housekeeping.
My husband is orginally from California and he doesn't either.

Iowa- I'd never heard of tipping housekeeping untill these boards. I think it really depends on the region you live in and the type of hotel you stay in.

My thoughts on tipping: If you want to tip, tip away. Everyone likes a little extra something. If you don't tip, don't feel bad. Obviously, tipping mousekeeping is not a universal arrangement. Some people need to be happy that they have the extra money to tip housekeeping instead of flaming people who choose not to. JMHO.

 

[boomhauer]

I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen.

Those of us who frequent the over-priced Disney Resorts can afford a couple of dollars - it is the BEST way to thank someone for going the extra mile with towel animals for our children - etc.

The few dollars means much more to them than you can imagine and factored into a Disney vacation budget, doesn't even touch the comparison of an over-priced hamburger.

Try it - it WILL make you feel good when you see the response the next day. It's just a very nice thing to do.

How often do we have the chance to make someone feel good.

Anyone remember "random acts of kindness"?????????

My Gosh! With the cost of a Disney vacation.....if we can't afford a couple of dollars for the Mousekeepers than shame on us!

MY 2 cents worth.

Ok, flame suit on - I'm brave - go ahead I'm ready!

No flames here. I agree...and disagree.

It can also be said, that people are paying enough for their vacations as it is. Where does tipping stop? The kid who rips my ticket at the movie theatre makes less than a housekeeper - Should I tip him? The woman who gets my fries at McDonalds makes less than a housekeeper - Should I tip her?

Not trying to be arguementative, just pointing out that there really seems to be no end to tipping these days.

 

[HappyTap]

Seems to me that tipping, like many other actions, is rooted in the culture of a region.

I agree with this. When I mentioned to friends/family that I had read here that many tipped Mousekeeping, most were surprised and had never heard of such a thing (I'm in the Dallas, Tx area). My DH travels extensively for business, and has never seen a tip envelope in a hotel nor has he tipped housekeeping ever before our WDW trip. It's not a matter of saying, "Well, I know that tipped is expected but I *refuse* to do it", it's more like not even knowing that people did that!

That said, I did make cute little envelopes and we tipped our Mousekeepers at the WL. DH grumbled about it, but not too much. And he is staying at 3 different hotels on the business trip he is currently taking in 3 different regions of the country, and I guarantee he is not tipping at any of them...

 

[ICF]

Same here.

In fact, I had never even heard of tipping for housekeeping until I became a member of this board.

We are neat and clean up after ourselves...I don't feel that me getting clean towels deserves a tip.

That makes two of us. Reading these boards was the first I had ever read about people tipping for that type of service.

It was nothing I ever saw growing up or had thought to do as an adult. I don't consider myself "cheap" but those people make at least minimum wage and agreed to take the job for that wage. Our room is usually "picked up" when we leave about all housekeeping ever does is change the towels and make the bed(s).

I've worked jobs for minimum wage before at various places including a movie theatre where I would either sell ticekts, get concession items or clean the theatre afterwards. I never got a tip and I can promise you my hotel room has NEVER been as nasty as that theatre was sometimes.

 

[Strikan]

I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen.

Those of us who frequent the over-priced Disney Resorts can afford a couple of dollars - it is the BEST way to thank someone for going the extra mile with towel animals for our children - etc.

The few dollars means much more to them than you can imagine and factored into a Disney vacation budget, doesn't even touch the comparison of an over-priced hamburger.

Try it - it WILL make you feel good when you see the response the next day. It's just a very nice thing to do.

How often do we have the chance to make someone feel good.

Anyone remember "random acts of kindness"?????????

My Gosh! With the cost of a Disney vacation.....if we can't afford a couple of dollars for the Mousekeepers than shame on us!

MY 2 cents worth.

Ok, flame suit on - I'm brave - go ahead I'm ready!

I agree with your sentiments on a general basis. It is always a good thing to do something nice for someone else - random acts of kindness are awesome! It had just never occurred to me to tip housekeeping before I read these boards.

I suppose what bothers me a little is that I am not sure it is appropriate to make people feel bad for not doing so if it is not a fully accepted norm. It's like saying that someone is bad who doesn't regularly give to charity. I do regularly give to charity but I wouldn't dream of saying "shame on you" to someone who doesn't do that. Also, I am just not sure of the logic here. If you have a meal where a service charge is included would you say "shame on you" to someone who doesn't also add a little extra "act of kindness" on top of that? Like I said above, I always kind of assumed that paying for a deluxe resort for example, included a premium charge for good service as well as a nicer room etc.

In any event, I am now totally confused about what the generally accepted tipping practice is in the US for housekeeping services. It is kind of shocking that I have gone this long without knowing this.

 

[Dopey420]

I keep in mind that the housekeeper is going to have access to my room and all my stuff, such as laptop, souvenirs, cameras, etc. I want this person to be happy!

I leave $5 / per day for the housekeeper at any hotel I stay.

 

[Sorsha]

Now I'm highly interested in which parts of the country typically tip housekeeping and which don't. It's an intriguing topic.

Feel free to post if you tip or don't tip housekeeping. And which state you're from. I'm curious to see if there is any type of trend.

Iowa - I do not tip housekeeping.
My husband is orginally from California and he doesn't either.

Montana, and we don't usually tip ANYONE but waitresses, and then only if they are provided good service..
Then again, we are pretty independant and don't usually use the services of bellboys, valets, etc unless we are forced to. I'll hoik around my own bags, thanks. And cabs? We don't even have them. Closest thing we have is a service that you can call to get home from the bars if you imbibe too much.
In WDW I do tip mousekeeping, cause it seems to be the norm, and I enjoyed making up my little tip envelopes. But if I am just on the road and stop for the night at a Super 8, I don't even think of leaving anything.
Usually my rule of thumb is that someone really goes out of their way for me, I tip, but otherwise I consider it part of what I pay for when I purchase my vacation.

 

[JPN4265]

I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen.

Those of us who frequent the over-priced Disney Resorts can afford a couple of dollars - it is the BEST way to thank someone for going the extra mile with towel animals for our children - etc.

The few dollars means much more to them than you can imagine and factored into a Disney vacation budget, doesn't even touch the comparison of an over-priced hamburger.

Try it - it WILL make you feel good when you see the response the next day. It's just a very nice thing to do.

How often do we have the chance to make someone feel good.

Anyone remember "random acts of kindness"?????????

My Gosh! With the cost of a Disney vacation.....if we can't afford a couple of dollars for the Mousekeepers than shame on us!

MY 2 cents worth.

Ok, flame suit on - I'm brave - go ahead I'm ready!

If it makes you feel better, send me some money and I'll leave it as a tip. That way you will make me feel good, mousekeeping feel good, and you can feel good.

 

[wezee]

I'm from Ohio and I tip at WDW. Outside of WDW we usually only have quick overnight stays and I do not tip. Keep in mind all our vacations are at WDW. If we were to travel else where and plan an extended stay at a resort (more than 1 night), I would probably leave a tip. Just because I tip mousekeeping at WDW, usually $5 a day, I feel it is a personal choice! I just love the towel animals, lol

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Getting back to the original topic, if you tip housekeeping, awesome. But I certainly don't think those who don't should feel guilty about it.

I agree. But unfortunately you have people on threads like these who say people who don't tip housekeeping are "cheap" and "should be ashamed of themselves." I think that's where some of the guilt comes from...

 

[Stinky_Pete]

The other thing that confuses me a little is that I think it may also depend on the type of hotel. While I could imagine someone wanting to tip housekeeping in a moderate or budget resort, I find it really weird to think that you should tip housekeeping if you are staying at a deluxe resort. One of the main reasons why people pay up to $500 per night (or even more) to stay in a deluxe resort is for the high level of service. One of the most important services offerred to you at any hotel is housekeeping and so I tend to view the cost of that service as part of the room rate. It just seems a little strange to stay at somewhere like the Grand Floridian and pay top dollar for great service and then leave a tip for housekeeping on top of that.

This reminds me of a conversation I had with my DVC guide before we purchased. I asked why it was so few points to stay at a DVC villa and so many points to stay in a room in one of the Disney hotels (like CR or Poly). He said it was because at those hotels you got daily housekeeping. So it does seem like housekeeping is factored into the rate of the hotel, and should be expected (especially when paying hundreds of dollars a night!)

 

[NMW]

I always tip at WDW. Last trip I let my kids decorate envelopes for tips with Disney stickers, etc. However, I have to say that WDW is the only place we tip housekeeping. I have never seen tip envelopes in hotels, anywhere. I grew up in the northeast and have stayed at many hotels. We tip bell-hops, concierge, room service...but always thought housekeeping was included in the price of the room. We only do it at Disney because it's special somehow and they always make those cute towel animals. We do $5 a day, a dollar for each of us.

 

[lshaw]

I keep in mind that the housekeeper is going to have access to my room and all my stuff, such as laptop, souvenirs, cameras, etc. I want this person to be happy!

I leave $5 / per day for the housekeeper at any hotel I stay.

I lock my toothbrush in my safe AT ALL TIMES!!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I lock my toothbrush in my safe AT ALL TIMES!!

Do you really? I'm truly curious, and not being sarcastic.

 

[Phibbles]

If I tip, it is only on the last day. And only if I think housekeeping has done something to deserve a tip.

I usually prefer to use the safe just for money and electronics, but I do like to lock our dopp bags (toiletry kits to some) in our luggage each day. This way it is out of the maids way and secure from fiddlers.

I have seen tipping envelopes on some hotels, but they are usually smaller mom/pop type hotels. Like when we summer at the NJ shore, on the last night the maid almost always leaves a little note and an envelope.

But I don't think I have ever seen a major chain hotel with envelopes in the rooms. Wouldn't quite fit in with the high-end look most of these hotels attempt to achieve.

I think the US has gone tip crazy. 15% was once considered a great tip for a waiter, now if you don't get close to 20% your a cheap-o! Why? Service hasn't gotten any better over the last 20 years, why should I be tipping more?

 

[lshaw]

Do you really? I'm truly curious, and not being sarcastic.

Well yeah!! Think about it for a minute- are you really that trusting? Just being curious, not sarcastic.

 

[cobbler]

I had never heard of tipping housekeeping until I came here. My husband travels for work, stays in a lot of hotels which obviously the company pays for, they don't provide tip money for them nor are they required to use their own money.

 

[GreatLakes5]

First my answer to the tip - usually not. When I request additional items and if received in a timely manner we hand the tip to whomever is at the door bringing our items. Also when we've had lots of baby/kid gear and housekeeping has had to work around this (or we've left a pull-out couch out before leaving the room) then 'yes'.

I feel that the housekeeping service is hired to make beds, replace used toiletries, vacuum if necessary. It's in their job description. It's sad that guests have to fear retaliation of some sort if they do not tip - no one is expecting (or should expect) housekeeping to do any more than what they were actually hired to do. If they are being expected to do their jobs and they are paid based on a wage & not on wage + tip (as in waitstaff) then the expectation of tip (and fear of retaliation) should be moot.

Even more so, if guests aren't even using a service, certainly why tip. I'm in the crazy camp here - I rarely use the linens, choosing instead to place my own sheet on top of the bed and if I can pack a blanket then I'm all set. I usually place some towels on the carpet to walk on. I find hotels creepy in the unknown germ (and other "leftovers) department. Yup - and I"m not even OCD!

Midwest - I agree with the poster that said the money left behind was probably not understood as a tip. We have to leave notes with the tip when we stay in Chicago as well. It's probably a work ethic thing - sort of a stiff upper lip, work hard and don't 'expect' anything for it. Character trait or flaw depending on you're perspective.

Tipping is discretionary - tip away if you'd like.

Finally, "Random acts of kindness" are certainly not "random" when they are mandated.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Some hotels have envelopes in the room for the purpose, others have the little card that says "My name is Sarah and I am your housekeeper. if you need anything please call me" Do you really think those cards are there because Sarah expects you to call the desk ask for Sarah to send some soap? They are there for the purpose of leaving a tip.
As for those that travel on business, maybe the company does not give you tip money and no you are not required to pay it yourself, but it is good travel and business manners to leave a tip.
There are many people on this board who never travel except trips like Disney and really don't keep up to date on HOW to travel and what is the usual and customary practices. No reason they should know I suppose but too bad they don't educate themselves and when they are educated they say I never heard of that. I imagine some people in the world have never heard of eating with a knife and fork either but that does not make doing it a bad idea.