Tipping

[tvwalsh]

I was just wondering how many of you leave a tip for the cleaning staff (housekeeping). These people are definitely not overpaid!

 

[KNWVIKING]

If the room was properly prepared when we arrive and TnT is satisfactory, we will leave a tip. But if the room is not right or TnT is done haphazard-then no tip.

 

[vernon]

I always TRY to leave a tip although I did forget one of the stays on my recent trip .

The only time I have conciously not left a tip was when I got three " rogue" phone calls from 7.30 of the day I checked out and two knocks on the door. The door knocking I knew was the maid, the phone calls I was certain was either the maid or housekeeping checking to see if I'd gone or getting me up so I would leave early. I left a note explaining why she got no tip and I left the duty manager at check out with a serious ear bashing (verbal). They're certainly not overpaid, and they may be under pressure, but trying to chivey the guest out of their beds at 7.30 isn't going to put them in the type of moods that makes you any richer, JMHO. I don't think the service they provide matches that of a regular hotel housekeeping therefore I do not belive it's necessary or justified to "tip" to the same level you would a regular hotel room, although for the larger units there is some balancing to be done.

 

[jaysue]

I tip at the non-DVC resorts and do not tip at DVC resorts as I agree with vernon - it may be a rough position but I too received the infamous wake you up in your pjamas knock on the door and was not very pleased at all - mine was at 7:15am

Thanks
jaysue

 

[Maistre Gracey]

My usuall is $5 on T&T, and $20 for full cleaning (as well as check-out).

 

[cdy16zz]

My usuall is $5 on T&T, and $20 for full cleaning (as well as check-out).

We must think alike! That's just what we usually tip!

We've NEVER experienced a rude knock on the door, or phone call, I'm kinda shocked!! Was that at a DVC?? We've been members for 6yrs & many trips home, We usually make sure we do the speed check-out the night before & then just call to have our bags picked-up in the morning.
Then one last breakfast at our home resort, & teary eyed leave.

I think the housekeepers have alot more to get ready in a 1bdrm, 2bdem, & GV, than in a regular room or a studio, and they deserve it!! Let's face it some people are slobs!!!

 

[cheyita]

This is terribly embarassing to admit, but I'm one of the few who voted in the last slot. It was just on this board several weeks ago that I read references to leaving a tip in the room, and I was completely stunned. I am 32 years old and never had anyone tell me that they leave a tip for housecleaning, and somehow the idea never crossed my mind! My husband never suggested it, either.



Now I know!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by cheyita
This is terribly embarassing to admit, but I'm one of the few who voted in the last slot. It was just on this board several weeks ago that I read references to leaving a tip in the room, and I was completely stunned. I am 32 years old and never had anyone tell me that they leave a tip for housecleaning, and somehow the idea never crossed my mind! My husband never suggested it, either.



Now I know!

Hi, cheyita. I would not worry too much about it, as it is far from expected to tip housekeeping.

I live 1/2 my life in hotels (the kind that leave envelopes for tips) and NEVER leave a tip..... except at Disney.

 

[jaysue]

Yes, the infamous 0700-0730 knock on the door was at OKW on two separate occassions so far.....

thanks
jaysue

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by jaysue
Yes, the infamous 0700-0730 knock on the door was at OKW on two separate occassions so far.....

thanks
jaysue

Just curious (I honestly can't remember), are there "do not disturb" signs we can hang on the door?

 

[bicker]

Originally posted by cheyita
This is terribly embarassing to admit, but I'm one of the few who voted in the last slot. It was just on this board several weeks ago that I read references to leaving a tip in the room, and I was completely stunned. I am 32 years old and never had anyone tell me that they leave a tip for housecleaning, and somehow the idea never crossed my mind!

Tipping housekeeping is not a ubiquitous process in the United States, though it is becoming more widespread as national chains spread from areas wherein housekeeping has traditionally been a tipped position.

Incidently, at Disney resorts, housekeeping is a NON-tipped position. No tip is necessary, and Disney policy is for housekeepers to refuse tips (though it is clear that they rarely do so).

 

[Tigger1]

I tried to give a girl a tip at Vero. She would not take it. She was alsounable to hear or speak I believe. The housekeeper with her took it and said they were not allowed and thats why the girl would not. She was to give it to her.

I also got those phone calls and knocks on the door. We were packing the car one time and they woke up my daughter (16) in the connecting studio of our 2-bed lockoff. She was very upset.
Probely told them off.

I think this happened at all OKW, VERO, and BCV.

As far as tipping, what do you tip?

 

[KelNottAt]

I always WANT to leave a tip for housekeeping, but sometimes I forget.

When this happens, I double-up on the next day. That's risky b/c shifts change and I may be over-tipping someone I don't owe. I rationalize it by hoping there are other people out there like me and in the end, overall, the maids collect what they should. (As someone who survived on tips in college, I found this to be generally true.)

Kelley

 

[JimC]

It really depends on the service I am getting, the length of stay, whether I am in a DVC resort or not, etc. My view on tipping is that it has become too routine with little thought or sense of appreciation.

If it is the custom, then I tip according to the service provided (not the meal quality or room location or other factors the service provider has no control over). If it is not the custom to tip, I may anyway, if the service is beyond normal job duties/expectations -- ie it is clear that someone has extended a special courtesy or gone out of their way to assist me.

I say goodday to the staff, by name, whenever I see them. Some folks treat them like they are invisible. And I find a few kind words, a short conversation, and using their names can go much further than a few dollar bills.

Hand written thank-yous are especially well thought of because it is rare today when much of our communication is by e-mail. I also commend their service to management. Those are usually by e-mail, but when the courtesy is extreme, I will hand write to management as well.

 

[lurontravel]

I never seem to think of leaving a tip for housekeeping. I grew up in a family where we never did, and somehow as an adult, I learned that maids in hotels expect a tip. Then, sometime after that, I discovered that some people leave a tip every day! I am relieved to hear that it is a non-tipping position at DVC.

I have also found occassions where the room is not cleaned properly upon my arrival. Very disappointing. I hate cleaning someone else's dirt, esp. on vacation.

As some others have mentioned, housekeeping has hounded me about checking out. They have stopped me on my way to the car with a bag or two to fing out if I was leaving, they have called me and knocked on my door too. I don't remember the times, just that it happens frequently. Give me a break. Don't tell me that there no one else has already checked out and there are no other rooms to be cleaned at the moment.

Altogether, I find DVC's housekeeping okay, it is nothing special...
Maybe if they were REALLY GREAT, ALL of the time, I'd rethink tipping after reading this thread.