How much do you tip MOUSEKEEPING?

[UtahMama]

O.K., I just called Port Orleans Riverside and asked them if they could suggest an ammount to tip so I could budget the tipping into our planning. They were very sweet and tried not to answer my questions but I pressed on and asked, "Say I was very pleased with how wonderful our room has been cleaned and I really feel strongly on wanting to tip our 'mousekeeper', what would be a good rule of thumb to tip him/her?" Again they said it's totally up to the guest. So I asked, do they LIKE being tipped or are they paid SO WELL that they are offended when we show our appreciation with a token $5.00 a day? This lady just laughed and kept her sweetness and said, "I'm sure they appreciate any tips the guests leave them..." (BINGO!!!) I said, "That's great! thank you for your time." So FOR ME, I'll set this money aside (or it'll be spent like water!) and tip daily so they'll be paid appropriately. I'm glad to read most of us do tip and generously. But I agree it IS a personal choice. I do hair and LOVE tips!!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

O.K., I just called Port Orleans Riverside and asked them if they could suggest an ammount to tip so I could budget the tipping into our planning. They were very sweet and tried not to answer my questions but I pressed on and asked, "Say I was very pleased with how wonderful our room has been cleaned and I really feel strongly on wanting to tip our 'mousekeeper', what would be a good rule of thumb to tip him/her?" Again they said it's totally up to the guest. So I asked, do they LIKE being tipped or are they paid SO WELL that they are offended when we show our appreciation with a token $5.00 a day? This lady just laughed and kept her sweetness and said, "I'm sure they appreciate any tips the guests leave them..." (BINGO!!!) I said, "That's great! thank you for your time." So FOR ME, I'll set this money aside (or it'll be spent like water!) and tip daily so they'll be paid appropriately. I'm glad to read most of us do tip and generously. But I agree it IS a personal choice. I do hair and LOVE tips!!!!

Interesting. Thank you for sharing. So she didn't say "Mousekeeping is not a tipped position" or "They will not be able to keep any tip you leave for them"??

 

[Silverbelle990]

We gave them 5 a day. Hope this helps!

 

[tammy1210]

Wow! After reading that USA Today article, I feel like leaving them more!

 

[BeadyLady]

thanks for starting this thread , as I was wondering the same thing. I'm happy to hear the $5/night was ok for 2 people. I had done this the last trip and had made up the envelopes before the trip (out of sight, out of spend) and I just felt better about everything. Plus I left our brand new 4 cup coffee maker - couldn't see carrying it back.

 

[Mr.BsMom]

Here's an interesting link to a day in the life of a maid. Apparently, lots of folks think like me....

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2005-03-24-maid-for-a-day_x.htm

That being said, after reading this article, I'm much more inclined to tip. You see, folks say minds aren't really changed on these boards, but you guys changed mine!

Thanks for the enlightenment! These days, I don't stay in hotels much, I stay mainly with friends. But it's good to know for the future.

Thanks for the link! Very enlightening - for sure! I'm almost ashamed to say that I've never tipped... Because I really never thought about it before, I guess. They DO have a tough job - one that I certainly don't want - and they deserve to be thanked for it daily.

 

[5fordisney]

Wow. I feel like as heel!! I have apparently under-tipped the few times we have vacationed anywhere. There are 5 people in my family which would mean $70 total for a week of maid tipping. I have never tipped $70 a week. I felt generous if we left $20 (we always tipped the day we left). I like the idea if tipping daily, I had never thought about it. I think I will make up the tip envelopes ahead of time for our upcoming trip in 3 weeks. Good thread!

 

[beattyfamily]

Wow. I feel like as heel!! I have apparently under-tipped the few times we have vacationed anywhere. There are 5 people in my family which would mean $70 total for a week of maid tipping. I have never tipped $70 a week. I felt generous if we left $20 (we always tipped the day we left). I like the idea if tipping daily, I had never thought about it. I think I will make up the tip envelopes ahead of time for our upcoming trip in 3 weeks. Good thread!

My family of 4 tips $4. or $5 a day. So for 7 days we end up leaving about $35 total. Regardless, don't feel bad. It's the thought that counts.

HERE is a great mousekeeping envelope website many here use!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

No flames here but I was shocked to hear that some people don't tip housekeeping at hotels. Personally I tip every service industry provider (hairdressers, spa personnel, waiters, housekeeping, cab drivers, etc, etc) It would never occur to me not to. As for amounts- we usually leave $2 per person per day. We also make up mousekeeping envelopes at home prior to the trip.

 

[tatooed goofy]

We make Mousekeeping envelopes before we leave...we have Mickey print shop. We tip $5 a day for a family of 4. I am a neat freak so the place is cleaned up and beds made. We even have a hamper for dirty clothes for the week and then pack them in one suitcase. The only thing we need is towels. Maybe I am cheap but, I think it is a good tip. The article was an eye opener. WOW!!! Thank you for sharing. Maybe we will do more this year. It makes you really think about it.

 

[UtahMama]

beattyfamily- No this nice CM I spoke to did not say housekeeping is a non-tipping position/ and they wouldnt be able to keep any tips...She just didn't feel comfortable answering my quesions of "how much to tip" etc. She stuck to her statement that it's totally up to us the guests but after persisting she said they DO APPRECIATE any tips they get... So guys, if you are comfortable showing your appreciation to someone who possibly works her buns off all day to make sure your room is ship-shape when you come back from the parks, then do so. If not, that too is your choice and no one should make you feel badly.

 

[beattyfamily]

beattyfamily- No this nice CM I spoke to did not say housekeeping is a non-tipping position/ and they wouldnt be able to keep any tips...She just didn't feel comfortable answering my quesions of "how much to tip" etc. She stuck to her statement that it's totally up to us the guests but after persisting she said they DO APPRECIATE any tips they get... So guys, if you are comfortable showing your appreciation to someone who possibly works her buns off all day to make sure your room is ship-shape when you come back from the parks, then do so. If not, that too is your choice and no one should make you feel badly.

Thank you!

 

[BeadyLady]

HERE is a great mousekeeping envelope website many here use!

thank you for the link - I had forgotten where I found this last year.

 

[indigoxtreme]

We also like the one at themouseforless.com. We tip 5.00 per day for 2 or 4 people and I clean up too. We had the best mousekeeper this past Feb at POFQ in bldg 3.

http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/tripdownloads.shtml

 

[vhoffman]

Whether you tip or not, please try to leave your room in decent shape. No, you don't have to do the cleaning lady's job for her, but simple things, like putting all the used towels in one place, the trash in one place (I usually take garbage bags with me--we more than over fill those little trash cans), do pick up your clothes off the floor (hey, maybe some could start a new hobby here!). Also, if you stay in a condo or other place with a dishwasher, try to remember to start the dishwasher before you leave your room. I put dirty dishes in the dw anyways, what's the big deal about putting in soap and pushing a button? It takes so long for some dishwashers to cycle through, its helpful for them if its already going or even through when they come to clean. some places remove clean dishes and put them away, some don't, but they can't be expected to wait around half the day for the dishwasher to finish!