How much should we tip housekeeping?

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

Which hotel chains do you stay in? And I'm interested in how you know others don't tip. Do you go in other guests rooms to inspect?

It is customary to tip housekeeping in America.

I was wondering the same thing about the people that keep saying that it's customary and it's the norm, do they sit in the lobby and poll hotel guests when they leave to find out if they tip and how much?

 

[pixiedustmomma]

We tipped $5 a day. My parents always left a tip for housekeeping no matter where we stayed. They taught me to do the same.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is all great advice. My husband is just questioning why people on Disney properties have started tipping housekeeping when typically on Off Disney sites people tend not to tip. He is still going to go along with it but said that unless people go these boards they would never know that things are done differently at Disney

Respectfully, your husband is wrong. All the people I know who tip WDW Housekeepers do so because they/we tip housekeepers in hotels in the real world, and always have.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sorry but I have bee traveling all around the world all of my life from the time I was a baby literally. I'm an American from northern California but have lived in many countries and speak multiple languages with a degree in International Relations specializing in cultures and languages and I'm here to tell you that I have never tipped Housekeeping nor have I seen others tip housekeeping in hotels other than Disney. It is not the norm nor is it part of the American culture. It just seems more part of the Disney culture.

Sorry but I have been traveling all over Boston's North Shore, southern Maine, and southeastern New Hampshire lierally since I was a child (expanding to the wider United States and the ocean in adulthood). I'm an American from northern Massachusetts and have visited several countries but always only lived in [this] one.

I speak my native language with reasonable fluency, understand a couple of others and can say 'thank you' in Portuguese, with a certificate in Financial Accounting software and I'm her to tell you that I always tip Housekeeping, my family members who travel always tip Housekeeping, and that I don't snoop on (referring to what the quoted poster has 'seen') what other hotel guests/travelers do - not even my friends, unless we're sharing a room.

And I've stayed in more non-Disney hotels in my life.

 

[tinkermommyof3]

We tip $5.00 per day. We make an effort to be very neat. We declined turndown service at GF and CL as we do not find it necessary. We ask for extra supplies when we need them. Mousekeeping always left a daily supply of chocolates for my children.

 

[Dano1182]

Could not have said it better.

I was also taught to leave a tip in nice hotels.When you get good service.

In other parts of the world tipping is not customary but here in the United States it is for many service people.

I have not lived in other countries and frankly have no desire to do so.

I only speak English. I can understand some spanish.

I cannot figure out how the number of languages you speak has to do with giving a housekeeper a few bucks.

Nor do I get what being a world traveler has to do with it either.

To infer that Disney are the only hotels that people tip housekeeping makes no sense.

 

[AliceIn]

Sorry but I have bee traveling all around the world all of my life from the time I was a baby literally. I'm an American from northern California but have lived in many countries and speak multiple languages with a degree in International Relations specializing in cultures and languages and I'm here to tell you that I have never tipped Housekeeping nor have I seen others tip housekeeping in hotels other than Disney. It is not the norm nor is it part of the American culture. It just seems more part of the Disney culture.

Perhaps it's just how you were brought up, or the social class your parents belonged to. I'm from the east coast, and I was brought up to follow rules of polite society for that part of the country. My grandparents lived on the upper east side of NYC, and generally, they followed Emily Post rules on most things to do with hospitality, entertaining, and social gatherings. I saw my grandparents tip housekeeping at hotels, then my parents, then I did it, and I'm teaching my children as well.

 

[TDC Nala]

My husband is wondering why people are tipping housekeeping since normally we don't tip housekeeping when we stay at other non Disney hotels.

Disney will not provide you with tipping envelopes for housekeeping, as Disney itself does not list resort housekeeping as a customarily tipped position (even though some on the thread are referring to it being "Disney culture" to tip housekeepers). If you wish to tip your housekeeper and use tip envelopes you may provide your own. As it is not a tipped position, Disney has no guidelines as to what a customary tip for a housekeeper would be, but as you can see, many guests prefer to tip the housekeepers. the amount is up to you.

 

[fairytalelover]

Perhaps it's just how you were brought up, or the social class your parents belonged to. I'm from the east coast, and I was brought up to follow rules of polite society for that part of the country. My grandparents lived on the upper east side of NYC, and generally, they followed Emily Post rules on most things to do with hospitality, entertaining, and social gatherings. I saw my grandparents tip housekeeping at hotels, then my parents, then I did it, and I'm teaching my children as well.

Wow! Rude and snobby much? Whatever....

 

[fairytalelover]

Disney will not provide you with tipping envelopes for housekeeping, as Disney itself does not list resort housekeeping as a customarily tipped position (even though some on the thread are referring to it being "Disney culture" to tip housekeepers). If you wish to tip your housekeeper and use tip envelopes you may provide your own. As it is not a tipped position, Disney has no guidelines as to what a customary tip for a housekeeper would be, but as you can see, many guests prefer to tip the housekeepers. the amount is up to you.

I'm all for tipping mousekeeping and the two times we have visited WDW we have tipped because we read on the message boards that it is customary. But my husband just brought up the point that he found it interesting that this is just something that was started in the disney culture since it's not that common elsewhere.

 

[fairytalelover]

Could not have said it better.

I was also taught to leave a tip in nice hotels.When you get good service.

In other parts of the world tipping is not customary but here in the United States it is for many service people.

I have not lived in other countries and frankly have no desire to do so.

I only speak English. I can understand some spanish.

I cannot figure out how the number of languages you speak has to do with giving a housekeeper a few bucks.

Nor do I get what being a world traveler has to do with it either.

To infer that Disney are the only hotels that people tip housekeeping makes no sense.

I was only trying to make the point that I have spent my life travelling around the U.S and other countries and am familiar with cultural differences and have not noticed a custom of tipping to housekeeping except at Disney. That's all I was trying to say. No big deal.

 

[TDC Nala]

You read on the message board that it is customary. Disney distributes fact sheets at the resorts that list the customarily tipped positions. Housekeeping is not on that list. That is not to infer that people shouldn't tip Disney housekeepers. If you prefer to tip the housekeeper then you can do it, at any amount you wish. Many guests prefer to, in appreciation of the nature of the job they do.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Wow! Rude and snobby much? Whatever....

That's what you got out of Alice In's reply? I thought it was extremely well-written and explained the etiquette of, the reasons why, many travelers tip hotel maids... Whatever...

I'm all for tipping mousekeeping and the two times we have visited WDW we have tipped because we read on the message boards that it is customary. But my husband just brought up the point that he found it interesting that this is just something that was started in the disney culture since it's not that common elsewhere.

Not even close. He may be noticing it because you and he are reading this forum, but I know my parents were traveling - and tipping - before plans for the Magic Kingdom were ever publicly announced.

Tipping people who clean up after you has nothing to do wth "the Disney culture".

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I'm all for tipping mousekeeping and the two times we have visited WDW we have tipped because we read on the message boards that it is customary. But my husband just brought up the point that he found it interesting that this is just something that was started in the disney culture since it's not that common elsewhere.

ONCE AGAIN, tipping housekeeping did not start in Disney culture. Read the Emily Post guidelines I posted. They do not say "When staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, tip $x. When staying elsewhere, don't tip." I tipped housekeeping in hotels long before I ever stayed on Disney property.

And as for calling AliceIn's post rude and snobby, might I direct you to reread your own post and assess it for snobbery?

Originally Posted by fairytalelover
Sorry but I have bee traveling all around the world all of my life from the time I was a baby literally. I'm an American from northern California but have lived in many countries and speak multiple languages with a degree in International Relations specializing in cultures and languages and I'm here to tell you that I have never tipped Housekeeping nor have I seen others tip housekeeping in hotels other than Disney. It is not the norm nor is it part of the American culture. It just seems more part of the Disney culture.

 

[alebisi]

I'll be staying at Pop and this is the first time I travel without my parents to WDW, they've always tip mousekeeping. In the other hand we are really young (me and my boyfriend) and don't have a "steady job", my trip was a college graduation gift from my parents. So me and my boyfriend can barely pay for our trip expenses (fortunately we are having free dining), I still plan on mousekeeping tipping but I'll just tip $2 a day and also have a thank you note as I appreciate the job they do.

 

[dmband]

You read on the message board that it is customary. Disney distributes fact sheets at the resorts that list the customarily tipped positions. Housekeeping is not on that list. That is not to infer that people shouldn't tip Disney housekeepers. If you prefer to tip the housekeeper then you can do it, at any amount you wish. Many guests prefer to, in appreciation of the nature of the job they do.

Well said

I'll be staying at Pop and this is the first time I travel without my parents to WDW, they've always tip mousekeeping. In the other hand we are really young (me and my boyfriend) and don't have a "steady job", my trip was a college graduation gift from my parents. So me and my boyfriend can barely pay for our trip expenses (fortunately we are having free dining), I still plan on mousekeeping tipping but I'll just tip $2 a day and also have a thank you note as I appreciate the job they do.

karma
That ten bucks or whatever will come back to you

 

[Bob NC]

I've been to two county fairs and a goat wedding.

I'd like to speak in that language that twins use.

Sometimes I tip, sometimes I don't.

I know that WDW doesn't pay housekeeping like they pay other 'tipped' positions, and tipping is in no way required or expected, but, sometimes I live on the edge and toss a tip anyway.

 

[reiella]

Now I feel bad that we didn't tip housekeeping before. :/

It's difficult for us to tip on those type of services since when we travel, it's primarily by plastic [in general, I don't like carrying cash, and just use the cards to handle stuff]. Which is also why we tend to decline bell service.

But I really hate the idea of not tipping folks who supposed to be tipped [especially at disney resorts where they tend to do such a great job], so I may have to get over my problem with carrying cash.

 

[JerseyJanice]

A quick perusal of this thread tells you exactly what is customary for most Americans--i.e., they tip $5 per night on each morning of their stay. It's what we do, inside and out of DisneyWorld.

I never leave an envelope, but I do write a note on the paper in the room because I usually ask for more of something--paper cups, towels, shampoo, etc. I wrap my note around a 5-dollar bill and leave it on the nightstand.

I will also say that I think it behooves you to leave the tip daily. If your housekeeper believes you'll be tipping him/her every day, they'll be more motivated to clean your room well and leave you extra stuff if you want it.

 

[Bob NC]

A quick perusal of this thread tells you exactly what is customary for most Americans--i.e., they tip $5 per night on each morning of their stay.

WHAT? LOL, where in the world did you come up with that?

Even if every person on this thread say they tip $5 per day, which they haven't, that still doesn't tell you what is 'customary for most americans' by any stretch of the imagination.

We even had a former WDW housekeeper post that less than 50% of people tip at all.