Tipping Hotel Maids

Do you do this? I know they're always wanting tips, but I didn't know anyone who tops them until today. I'm at a meeting in Boston and my coworker said she tipped her $5. Isn't that their damn job to clean the rooms? That's not a right to a clean room, it's expected. I have never tipped a hotel maid in my life. Am I a jackass for never doing this or is this not really common and just another damn person begging for extra money?

Supposedly $2/day is what is expected.

If my wife leaves the tip, it's $3/day. If I leave the tip, it's $5/day. It the one place we disagree on tipping. They're scrubbing my toilet and making my bed. It's worth it to me.

Happy ending? I'll leave spare change. Otherwise, screw that.

Really?! So I'm the douchebag? This is common practice?

I have a hard time coming to terms with this. Janitors seen tipped. Maids weren't always tipped (somewhat recent idea). Sure they make shit pay, but it's not a food service that depends on tips since they are paid an hourly wage below min wage. This is not the design for maids. I can see this being a bigger deal for fancier hotels. But for your average Marriott type or holiday inn, this is normal?

tGreenWay wrote:If my wife leaves the tip, it's $3/day. If I leave the tip, it's $5/day. It the one place we disagree on tipping. They're scrubbing my toilet and making my bed. It's worth it to me.

But they're not changing your sheets and they're washing your drinking glasses with pledge.

10 Hotel Secrets from Behind the Front Desk

5. ENJOY YOUR LEMONY FRESH GLASSES.

You know what cleans the hell out of a mirror, and I’m talking no streaks? Windex? No. Furniture polish. Spray on a thick white base, rub it in, and you’ll be face-to-face with a spotless, streak-free mirror. However, I am not recommending you take this tip and apply it in your own home. Though using furniture polish is quick and effective, over time it causes a waxy buildup that requires a deep scrub.

The housekeepers kept this move behind closed doors along with another dirty secret I didn’t discover until I walked in on ladies with Pledge in one hand and a minibar glass in the other. Keeping those glasses clean-looking was also part of the job. So the next time you put a little tap water into the glass and wonder why it has a pleasant lemon aftertaste, it’s because you just took a shot of Pledge.

My go to move is I get in the room, lysol the shit out of everything (especially the chairs, remote and bed sheets), remove the disgusting throw covers and pillows from the bed, and put the do not disturb sign on the door for the duration of my stay. If I have a few bucks cash when I check out, I'll leave it. But I don't want someone throwing dose nasty blankets and pillows back on my bed or touching all of my shit while I'm at the office.

Dendrobates wrote:Really?! So I'm the douchebag? This is common practice?

I have a hard time coming to terms with this. Janitors seen tipped. Maids weren't always tipped (somewhat recent idea). Sure they make shit pay, but it's not a food service that depends on tips since they are paid an hourly wage below min wage. This is not the design for maids. I can see this being a bigger deal for fancier hotels. But for your average Marriott type or holiday inn, this is normal?

You are. But for other reasons.

Dendrobates wrote:Really?! So I'm the douchebag? This is common practice?

I have a hard time coming to terms with this. Janitors seen tipped. Maids weren't always tipped (somewhat recent idea). Sure they make shit pay, but it's not a food service that depends on tips since they are paid an hourly wage below min wage. This is not the design for maids. I can see this being a bigger deal for fancier hotels. But for your average Marriott type or holiday inn, this is normal?

No need to worry, when we run away together I'll handle the maid tipping.

Also.... What if you don't have them come in while you're there? They are several towels and I can reuse some. I don't give a shit that they make the bed. Don't get what much value they are adding with a couple bucks of a tip.

LooseGoose wrote:

Dendrobates wrote:Really?! So I'm the douchebag? This is common practice?

I have a hard time coming to terms with this. Janitors seen tipped. Maids weren't always tipped (somewhat recent idea). Sure they make shit pay, but it's not a food service that depends on tips since they are paid an hourly wage below min wage. This is not the design for maids. I can see this being a bigger deal for fancier hotels. But for your average Marriott type or holiday inn, this is normal?

No need to worry, when we run away together I'll handle the maid tipping.

You loaded? No other reason to run away with you.

Left some cash and left over beer as tip once. The beer was fine and they charged the room for a cleaning fee. Apparently that offended them. So nah

Never tipped a maid ever. Not going to either.

I think they prefer pesos. Then they don't have to exchange it before sending back home.

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:Never tipped a maid ever. Not going to either.

Never even heard of such a thing

Dendrobates wrote:

LooseGoose wrote:

No need to worry, when we run away together I'll handle the maid tipping.

You loaded? No other reason to run away with you.

Not even close, but if that's what you want - give me a couple hours.

Dendrobates wrote:Do you do this? I know they're always wanting tips, but I didn't know anyone who tops them until today. I'm at a meeting in Boston and my coworker said she tipped her $5. Isn't that their damn job to clean the rooms? That's not a right to a clean room, it's expected. I have never tipped a hotel maid in my life. Am I a jackass for never doing this or is this not really common and just another damn person begging for extra money?

Never. Plus I make them clean it every day. If I'm traveling I want new towels every day. admittedly I'm spoiled, but I like it.

P Rob wrote:

Dendrobates wrote:Really?! So I'm the douchebag? This is common practice?

I have a hard time coming to terms with this. Janitors seen tipped. Maids weren't always tipped (somewhat recent idea). Sure they make shit pay, but it's not a food service that depends on tips since they are paid an hourly wage below min wage. This is not the design for maids. I can see this being a bigger deal for fancier hotels. But for your average Marriott type or holiday inn, this is normal?

You are. But for other reasons.

Mine is so fresh, it smells like roses

So I am seeing a good mix so far. I really am wondering how common it is. And what real purpose is this adding . The shit isn't clean anyway when they come in. They give you new towels and maybe new cups. That deserves a tip?

LooseGoose wrote:

tGreenWay wrote:If my wife leaves the tip, it's $3/day. If I leave the tip, it's $5/day. It the one place we disagree on tipping. They're scrubbing my toilet and making my bed. It's worth it to me.

But they're not changing your sheets and they're washing your drinking glasses with pledge.

10 Hotel Secrets from Behind the Front Desk

5. ENJOY YOUR LEMONY FRESH GLASSES.

You know what cleans the hell out of a mirror, and I’m talking no streaks? Windex? No. Furniture polish. Spray on a thick white base, rub it in, and you’ll be face-to-face with a spotless, streak-free mirror. However, I am not recommending you take this tip and apply it in your own home. Though using furniture polish is quick and effective, over time it causes a waxy buildup that requires a deep scrub.

The housekeepers kept this move behind closed doors along with another dirty secret I didn’t discover until I walked in on ladies with Pledge in one hand and a minibar glass in the other. Keeping those glasses clean-looking was also part of the job. So the next time you put a little tap water into the glass and wonder why it has a pleasant lemon aftertaste, it’s because you just took a shot of Pledge.

Yeah, I'm aware of that article. It opened my eyes to the Pledge trick. Now, I'll give glasses a closer look, touch, and smell. I'll also use the sealed plastic cups of they're available.
As for the sheets, I don't need new sheets every day, just make the bed and I'm happy.

Dendrobates wrote:So I am seeing a good mix so far. I really am wondering how common it is. And what real purpose is this adding . The shit isn't clean anyway when they come in. They give you new towels and maybe new cups. That deserves a tip?

And as WBH pointed out those bedspreads NEVER get washed or changed.

LooseGoose wrote:

Dendrobates wrote:So I am seeing a good mix so far. I really am wondering how common it is. And what real purpose is this adding . The shit isn't clean anyway when they come in. They give you new towels and maybe new cups. That deserves a tip?

And as WBH pointed out those bedspreads NEVER get washed or changed.

I already knew that. And I could tell. On more than 1 occasion I have found make up on the sheets. I call the front desk and get that shit changed. Otherwise, I try to live in denial about how filthy hotel rooms really are.

P Rob wrote:Happy ending? I'll leave spare change. Otherwise, screw that.

Giant Moose got a new account?

If they clean the room like this they will be getting the tip:

Cameron wrote:I almost never stay in hotels. I have never tipped a maid. Do you guys just leave a fiver on the pillow or something? Do you include a note, or do hotel maids assume that any cash they find in the room is a tip?

You put the tip on the nightstand when you leave to check out at the end of your stay, no matter how many days you've been there.

IMO $3 a day for motels. More for hotels and resorts

The Pantry wrote:

Cameron wrote:I almost never stay in hotels. I have never tipped a maid. Do you guys just leave a fiver on the pillow or something? Do you include a note, or do hotel maids assume that any cash they find in the room is a tip?

You put the tip on the nightstand when you leave to check out at the end of your stay, no matter how many days you've been there.

IMO $3 a day for motels. More for hotels and resorts

As someone who has stayed hundreds of nights in hotels I can tell you there is an etiquette. Do not leave money on the bed or nightstand as it implies a "happy ending" type service was rendered. Leave it on the desk or dresser.

I leave $1 each day (should probably do $2). Some folks like to leave it all the $$$ at the end of their stay, but what if it's a different person each day? Sometimes they don't take the $$ & I roll it into the next day.

It's not something that's expected as far as I know & I think it's mostly regular business travelers that do it since we just end up expensing it anyway.

Heat Miser wrote:

The Pantry wrote:You put the tip on the nightstand when you leave to check out at the end of your stay, no matter how many days you've been there.

IMO $3 a day for motels. More for hotels and resorts

As someone who has stayed hundreds of nights in hotels I can tell you there is an etiquette. Do not leave money on the bed or nightstand as it implies a "happy ending" type service was rendered. Leave it on the desk or dresser.

I leave $1 each day (should probably do $2). Some folks like to leave it all the $$$ at the end of their stay, but what if it's a different person each day? Sometimes they don't take the $$ & I roll it into the next day.

It's not something that's expected as far as I know & I think it's mostly regular business travelers that do it since we just end up expensing it anyway.

I'd like to discuss this further but can you first tell me why I can get on tSwill with my phone but not my laptop?

All other sites work fine on my laptop

The Pantry wrote:

Heat Miser wrote:

As someone who has stayed hundreds of nights in hotels I can tell you there is an etiquette. Do not leave money on the bed or nightstand as it implies a "happy ending" type service was rendered. Leave it on the desk or dresser.

I leave $1 each day (should probably do $2). Some folks like to leave it all the $$$ at the end of their stay, but what if it's a different person each day? Sometimes they don't take the $$ & I roll it into the next day.

It's not something that's expected as far as I know & I think it's mostly regular business travelers that do it since we just end up expensing it anyway.

I'd like to discuss this further but can you first tell me why I can get on tSwill with my phone but not my laptop?

All other sites work fine on my laptop

Local problem I'm guessing. No issues on my end.

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:

The Pantry wrote:I'd like to discuss this further but can you first tell me why I can get on tSwill with my phone but not my laptop?

All other sites work fine on my laptop

Local problem I'm guessing. No issues on my end.

It's weird. Both the laptop and phone are running on Wow home WiFi. tSwill is the only site I can't access with the laptop

I usually leave my returnables

Nordic wrote:I usually leave my returnables

Sounds like something Giant Moose douchebag would do

tGreenWay wrote:If my wife leaves the tip, it's $3/day. If I leave the tip, it's $5/day. It the one place we disagree on tipping. They're scrubbing my toilet and making my bed. It's worth it to me.

Chances are they're just making the bed and not changing the sheets.

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:My go to move is I get in the room, lysol the shit out of everything (especially the chairs, remote and bed sheets), remove the disgusting throw covers and pillows from the bed, and put the do not disturb sign on the door for the duration of my stay. If I have a few bucks cash when I check out, I'll leave it. But I don't want someone throwing dose nasty blankets and pillows back on my bed or touching all of my shit while I'm at the office.

This is pretty much what I do. I never let them clean my room until I leave. If I'm on vacation and my kid has left food all over the floor I'll tip but otherwise...

Motown Spartan wrote:

tGreenWay wrote:If my wife leaves the tip, it's $3/day. If I leave the tip, it's $5/day. It the one place we disagree on tipping. They're scrubbing my toilet and making my bed. It's worth it to me.

Chances are they're just making the bed and not changing the sheets.

You have to mark your turf if staying more than one night to keep them honest.

The Pantry wrote:

Motown Spartan wrote:

Chances are they're just making the bed and not changing the sheets.

You have to mark your turf if staying more than one night to keep them honest.

Are you suggesting wiping your ass with the white sheets?

Motown Spartan wrote:

tGreenWay wrote:If my wife leaves the tip, it's $3/day. If I leave the tip, it's $5/day. It the one place we disagree on tipping. They're scrubbing my toilet and making my bed. It's worth it to me.

Chances are they're just making the bed and not changing the sheets.

And that's usually per my request. Most of the places I stay in these days ask you to indicate if you want fresh sheets or just have the bed made up. I don't need clean sheets every night.

Motown Spartan wrote:

The Pantry wrote:You have to mark your turf if staying more than one night to keep them honest.

Are you suggesting wiping your ass with the white sheets?

That's one of a few options but I prefer using the pillow cases and leaving them on the bathroom floor with the wet towels

Dendrobates wrote:Do you do this? I know they're always wanting tips, but I didn't know anyone who tops them until today. I'm at a meeting in Boston and my coworker said she tipped her $5. Isn't that their damn job to clean the rooms? That's not a right to a clean room, it's expected. I have never tipped a hotel maid in my life. Am I a jackass for never doing this or is this not really common and just another damn person begging for extra money?

Yeah kind of a jackass. I normally leave $5 for a weekend stay.

LooseGoose wrote:

Dendrobates wrote:So I am seeing a good mix so far. I really am wondering how common it is. And what real purpose is this adding . The shit isn't clean anyway when they come in. They give you new towels and maybe new cups. That deserves a tip?

And as WBH pointed out those bedspreads NEVER get washed or changed.

They're probably cleaner than the remote that someone that just got done picking their nose used.