How much should we tip housekeeping?

[staceyatdisney]

I clean the bathroom myself on day one because I'm weird like that (don't get me started on the TV remote). The Do Not Disturb sign stays on for our entire stay. I ask for room supplies and leave the trash outside the door as needed. That said, I still hand housekeeping $5 a day when I see them - same process for any hotel I stay in.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Seems to me like most of the people who replied said $5 or $6 each day. I didn't count the number of replies, but that's how this thread came across to me.

My parents always tipped housekeeping when we vacationed. In fact, all of my relatives, friends and coworkers say they tip housekeeping and give the same amount--$5 a day given daily at any hotel where you're staying for more than one night.

It seems to be a pretty universal practice to me even though people have disputed it on this thread. Same thing as leaving a 15% to 20% tip at a restaurant--I'm certain that not everyone does, but that's definitely the norm.

 

[Bob NC]

In fact, all of my relatives, friends and coworkers say they tip housekeeping and give the same amount--$5 a day

Wow, did you call ALL your relatives, friends and coworkers about this, or did you just mail them a survey?

 

[JerseyJanice]

I've had many, many discussions about travel over the years.

In fact, the only people I know of who say that they don't tip housekeeping are those post on the Dis. Go figure.

 

[LEXAVE]

Be sure to leave a note for Mousekeeping letting them know the money is for them.

In a rush one day, I left tip money on one of the beds. When I got back, the room was made up and the money was left on the dresser. The next day I left a note and the money was taken.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

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.

This is not true - I am 43 (ACK) and my parents taught me to tip housekeepers when I was little. My mother has been tipping 60 plus years - this is NOT from Disney!

 

[jthornton94]

I think the reason I CHOOSE to tip at Disney is because they provide service above and beyond what I expect from housekeeping. We have always been greeted with towel animals and my children's belongings have been arranged in a cute way. That is what sets the experience apart from any other hotel I have ever been to. If I ever find another one that goes beyond cleaning my room, maybe I wil CHOOSE to tip them.

 

[bookgirl]

Every hotel/resort/cruise I have ever stayed in I have left a tip, it has nothing to do with disney and everything to do with the service industry.



I look at tips as an appreciation and an anticipation kind of thing.

Someone is doing a job that I in no way ever want to do. Cleaning toliets and picking up other peoples crap is not a fun job, but it is a job and I appreciate that they are doing it.

I also anticipate that if I acknowledge thier work with a tip, that they in turn will remember it when cleaning my room.


I'm a nice middle class kinda of person and I know that the fact that I have a professional job and a nice income means that I can afford a nice hotel and a worry free vacation. I believe in making sure to ensure that others know I don't take my good fortune for granted and so I spread the wealth and help make someone else's time a little more profitable so to speak and I TIP, because other's hard work means I enjoy my time. It's not a fortune in tips but I think every little bit helps and the though behind it goes a long way.

So no matter where I stay I leave a dollar or two (or more) per person when they clean my room, or carry my bags or get my car or bring me my meal. You don't have to give them a large amount but I'm sure they appreciate every gesture.

 

[Krystallen]

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

Well if only less than 50% of people tip then it is NOT the norm, is it? And according to this CNN survey only 30% of US hotel guests tip, so it isn't the norm.

The CNN article http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-24/...otel-guests-emily-post-institute?_s=PM:TRAVEL

 

[calismic]

Wow, I had no idea until reading this thread that it was not customary to tip! Regardless of position, if you're coming into my room on a daily basis to pick up my mess, clean my sheets and scrub my toilet, I'm giving you a little extra hand money! I like the idea of making the special envelopes before the trip. Got myself a new side project today, wohoo!

 

[jp02]

I tip 1-2 dollars per person per day. We are very clean so there isn't a lot for them to do regarding working around our things or picking up after us.

 

[shoney]

we have always left a tip...Disney or not. We always leave it on the pillow and it is always taken.

 

[discorsner]

We always tip whether it is at Disney or not.

I look at it as when we go on a cruise the cruiselines even tell us what is appropriate amount to tip our room attendant. Just because Disney or another hotel doesn't have an official tipping policy for their resort housekeepers doesn't mean that it isn't as appreciated.

I know it is not required but I think most people just want to tip. In fact out of all the people we do tip in an average vacation the housekeepers are the ones that I actually want to tip the most.

Heck, we tip the valet car guy just for brining around the car. I really think someone who is cleaning up after my whole family (even though we do leave it pretty clean) should get more than them!

 

[Andona]

I'm from Australia and we are largely a non-tipping culture. We DO generally tip at our restaurants but not as highly as what is expected in the USA. And we'll often round up the fare to a taxi driver but , again, not give them 10% or so.

So for us the whole tipping thing is a bit of a minefield when we come to your (wonderful!) country. Most of our USA guidebooks etc have advice about tipping and what is expected, they explain about expected tipping percentages in restaurants, taxi's , valet parking, bell guys etc but none of the books I own mention housekeeping.

However, I have always always tipped housekeeping at every hotel we stayed in ( many non-Disney) about $2 a day, because before our first trip I read on a message board ( I think a Disney message board) that it is common to tip housekeeping.

Now, having read this post I think maybe I should increase that amount next time?

Andona

 

[bigdaddy511]

So $5 a day is the norm ?

Really depends on how many people in the room, etc. Our last stay on site was a family suite and we would leave $5 to $10 a day, but that included making up two beds and a hide a bed along with two bathrooms to clean up.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Now, having read this post I think maybe I should increase that amount next time?

Tip what you're comfortable tipping. Don't let a bunch of strangers on a message board influence you .

 

[ols386]

I'm from Australia and we are largely a non-tipping culture. We DO generally tip at our restaurants but not as highly as what is expected in the USA. And we'll often round up the fare to a taxi driver but , again, not give them 10% or so.

So for us the whole tipping thing is a bit of a minefield when we come to your (wonderful!) country. Most of our USA guidebooks etc have advice about tipping and what is expected, they explain about expected tipping percentages in restaurants, taxi's , valet parking, bell guys etc but none of the books I own mention housekeeping.

However, I have always always tipped housekeeping at every hotel we stayed in ( many non-Disney) about $2 a day, because before our first trip I read on a message board ( I think a Disney message board) that it is common to tip housekeeping.

Now, having read this post I think maybe I should increase that amount next time?

Andona

You should do whatever you feel comfortable with. Tip, no tip...whatever amount of tip you think is appropriate.

Don't base your tipping or not tipping or amount of tip, on what folks on a dis board say. Do what you think is appropriate.

 

[Butterbunkins]

You should tip whatever you feel is appropriate. We tip $2 per day per person in a regular hotel room. Since we stay at DVC resorts our room gets cleaned and restocked once while we're there so we don't tip for every day but we do tip a little more than $2 per person. We let it depend on the job they do for that one day. We have never used envelopes. We just leave the money on the nightstand. They know who it's for.

 

[goofy4tink]

If you ask Disney, while at WDW, how to tip housekeeping, they will tell you that they do not consider housekeeping to be a tippable position. They do consider wait staff, bell services, valet all tippable positions. Same thing with specialty cruise captains. Housekeepers at WDW are paid a higher amount than comparable positions at other hotels/resorts. I'm not saying that they are getting $15 an hour, but in all reality??? They aren't being paid the same as wait staff. And the longer they are there, the more they are making.

So, do I tip at WDW? Sometimes. It all depends on where I am and what my experiences have been. When staying DVC, I seldom tip. They are in my room basically one time...to bring in fresh towels and toiletries. That's what they are paid to do. On the other hand, I have yet to have received such stellar service upon checkin, at a regular resort, that I have felt the need to leave a tip that next morning. While my rooms have been clean 'enough' there hasn't been anything that warrents leaving a tip. You shouldn't have to leave a tip because it's 'expected'!!! I am getting more than a little tired of everyone at WDW expecting to be tipped. The worst??? We arrived at the Polynesian. Our towncar was greeted by a CM...who 'helped' our driver unload our bags....then placed them on a rolling cart, which the CM then delivered to the outside Bell Services area so that we could give our info. And, he just stood there, looking at my dh...basically with his 'hand out'. My dh fished in his pocket and handed the CM $5...for 4 bags. Then, another CM rolled our cart, with our luggage, into the building..where he waited while we checked in. We got our room keys, and figured we would be off to the room. Nope, that CM just stood there, and he had 'that' look....so, dh gave him $3. Yet another CM came along, and put our luggage on one of those little golf carts...he drove the bags over, while we walked behind!!! He got our bags to the room, with the help of dh since there was no way he could handle all the checked bags and the carryon bags on his own...and after 'showing us around the room', just stood there..yet again...hand out pretty much. And another $5. You start to feel like you're being held hostage to the almighty tip!!

I refuse to tip someone who comes in, wipes down my vanity area, possibly leaves me a few soaps and shampoos, and does nothing else. I make our beds...always have, always will. I leave the damp towels hanging up to dry...but yet?? Housekeeping comes along and takes them down and replaces them. Yet, Disney leaves you literature asking you to be 'green' and not ask for fresh towels everyday!!! When I want fresh towels, the old ones go in the tub..pretty easy to figure out.
If I am greeted pleasantly by my housekeeper when I see her (or him), then I am more apt to leave something. But generally? Across the board? Nope.

 

[AliceIn]

The worst??? We arrived at the Polynesian. Our towncar was greeted by a CM...who 'helped' our driver unload our bags....then placed them on a rolling cart, which the CM then delivered to the outside Bell Services area so that we could give our info. And, he just stood there, looking at my dh...basically with his 'hand out'. My dh fished in his pocket and handed the CM $5...for 4 bags. Then, another CM rolled our cart, with our luggage, into the building..where he waited while we checked in. We got our room keys, and figured we would be off to the room. Nope, that CM just stood there, and he had 'that' look....so, dh gave him $3. Yet another CM came along, and put our luggage on one of those little golf carts...he drove the bags over, while we walked behind!!! He got our bags to the room, with the help of dh since there was no way he could handle all the checked bags and the carryon bags on his own...and after 'showing us around the room', just stood there..yet again...hand out pretty much. And another $5. You start to feel like you're being held hostage to the almighty tip!!

You do know you have the option of saying, "I'm sorry, we prefer to handle our own baggage. Thank you anyway." That way nobody is performing a service for you, and there's no tip expected. I've done this when I know I don't have any small bills on me to give a tip. However, when I DO accept the assistance, I always tip.