Hotel Tipping Guide
Hotels rely on a team of service professionals working behind the scenes to ensure your comfort and convenience. From housekeepers who maintain your room to concierges who secure impossible reservations, these workers often earn modest wages and depend on tips to make a living wage.
Unlike restaurants where tipping is straightforward, hotel tipping involves multiple staff members across different services. Knowing who to tip, how much, and when can significantly enhance your travel experience while ensuring fair compensation for excellent service.
Standard Hotel Tipping Guidelines
- $3-5 per night - Housekeeping (leave daily, not at checkout)
- $2-5 per bag - Bellhop/porter (more for heavy/awkward items)
- $5-20 - Concierge (based on complexity of request)
- $2-5 per retrieval - Valet parking (tip when car is returned)
- $1-3 - Doorman (for hailing cab, carrying bags, or providing directions)
- 15-20% - Room service (check if gratuity already included)
- $5-10 - Shuttle driver (to/from airport)
- $2-5 - Pool/beach attendant (per day for setup)
Service-Specific Hotel Tipping
🧹 Housekeeping
Tip $3-5 per night, left daily (not at checkout). Different staff may clean your room each day, so daily tipping ensures everyone is compensated. Leave cash on the pillow or nightstand with a note that says "Housekeeping" or "Thank you!"
Tip more ($5-7) for: suites, extra mess, special requests, or if you're staying at a luxury hotel.
🛎️ Bellhop/Porter
Tip $2-3 per bag for standard luggage. Increase to $5 per bag for heavy items (golf clubs, skis, large suitcases). If they escort you to your room and explain amenities, add an extra $2-5.
Minimum tip: $5 total, even if you only have one small bag. Their base wage is often minimal.
🎩 Concierge
Tipping varies by service complexity:
- • $5-10: Basic requests (directions, restaurant recommendations, standard reservations)
- • $10-20: Moderate effort (securing hard-to-get reservations, theater tickets, tour bookings)
- • $20-50: Exceptional service (last-minute sold-out event tickets, special arrangements, multiple complex requests)
No tip needed for: simple questions, directions, or providing brochures.
🚗 Valet Parking
Tip $2-5 when your car is returned (not when dropped off). Tip $5+ for: premium/luxury vehicles, bad weather, rush requests, or if they bring the car quickly.
Keep small bills readily accessible—it's awkward to ask for change. If you're staying multiple days and parking frequently, you can tip daily or give a larger tip at checkout.
🚪 Doorman
Tip $1-3 for hailing a cab. Tip $2-5 if they help with luggage or provide directions. No tip needed for simply opening the door (that's their job), but tipping for extra service is appreciated.
🍽️ Room Service
Tip 15-20% of the bill, but check first—many hotels automatically add gratuity to room service bills. If gratuity is included, you can add an extra $2-5 for exceptional service, but it's not required.
🚐 Shuttle Driver
Tip $2-3 per person or $5-10 total for airport shuttles. More if they help with heavy luggage or go out of their way to assist.
💡 Pro Hotel Tipping Tips
- ✓ Bring plenty of small bills - $1s, $5s, and $10s. Hotels rarely have change readily available
- ✓ Tip housekeeping daily - Don't wait until checkout; different staff work different days
- ✓ Leave housekeeping tips with a note - Write "Housekeeping" or "Thank you!" so it's clear who it's for
- ✓ Tip in cash, not on your room bill - Cash goes directly to the employee without tax withholding
- ✓ Tip when service is rendered - Don't wait until checkout to tip bellhops or valets
- ✓ Be generous at luxury hotels - Higher-end hotels warrant higher tips (add 50-100%)
- ✓ Check for included gratuities - Room service and other bills may already include tips
When to Tip MORE Than Standard
- 🏨 Luxury hotels - Increase all tips by 50-100% at 4-5 star properties
- 🎄 Holiday travel - Add $5-10 extra during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's
- 🧳 Heavy/awkward luggage - Golf clubs, skis, oversized bags (add $2-3 per item)
- 🛏️ Extended stays - Week+ stays warrant higher housekeeping tips ($5-7/night)
- 🌧️ Bad weather - Valets and doormen working in rain/snow deserve extra ($5-10)
- 👶 Traveling with kids/pets - Extra mess means extra work for housekeeping (add $3-5/night)
- ⚡ Rush requests - Last-minute help from concierge, fast valet service (add $5-10)
- 🎯 Going above and beyond - Staff who solve problems or provide exceptional service (double the tip)
Common Hotel Tipping Scenarios
Scenario: 3-night business hotel stay, 1 suitcase, no valet
Recommended: $12-15 total
$3-5/night housekeeping ($9-15 total) + $3 bellhop for bag help check-in/out if used.
Scenario: Weekend resort stay with valet, 2 bags, concierge dinner reservation
Recommended: $35-45 total
$8 housekeeping (2 nights x $4), $6 bellhop (2 bags x $3), $10 concierge, $10 valet (2 retrievals x $5).
Scenario: Luxury hotel week-long stay with daily valet, multiple bags, concierge services
Recommended: $150-200 total
$35-42 housekeeping (7 nights x $5-6), $20-25 bellhop, $40-60 concierge (multiple requests), $50-70 valet (daily use).
Scenario: Family vacation, suite with kids, extra mess, pool service
Recommended: Add 50% to standard tips
Kids create extra work. Tip $5-7/night for housekeeping, $3-5/day for pool attendant setup.
❌ Hotel Tipping Mistakes
- ✗ Waiting until checkout to tip housekeeping - Different staff work each day; tip daily
- ✗ Not bringing small bills - Staff can't make change; $20s and $50s don't work
- ✗ Forgetting housekeeping entirely - They work hard and are often underpaid
- ✗ Tipping valet on drop-off instead of pickup - Tip when you get your car back
- ✗ Double-tipping room service - Check if gratuity is already on the bill
- ✗ Not tipping bellhops - Even if you have one small bag, tip at least $5
- ✗ Leaving housekeeping tips without a note - They may not know it's for them
Hotel Tipping FAQ
Q: Can I add tips to my room bill or credit card?
A: Some hotels allow this, but cash is strongly preferred. Tips added to bills may be taxed or split with management. Cash goes directly to the employee.
Q: Should I tip at all-inclusive resorts?
A: Yes! "All-inclusive" refers to amenities, not staff gratuities. Staff still rely on tips. Check resort policy, but plan to tip at least $5-10/day total across all services.
Q: Do I tip the front desk staff?
A: Not typically for standard check-in. However, if they provide exceptional service (free room upgrade, solving a problem, late checkout), $10-20 is appropriate.
Q: What if I decline housekeeping service?
A: If you hang the "Do Not Disturb" sign all week, you can leave a lump sum tip at checkout ($15-20 for a week). If housekeeping never enters, some guests skip the tip, but leaving something is considerate since rooms still need deep cleaning after checkout.
Q: How do I tip for complimentary services like breakfast or cocktail hour?
A: $1-2 per drink at cocktail receptions. $2-5 for breakfast attendants if they provide table service. If it's self-serve, a small tip jar contribution is appreciated but not mandatory.
Q: Should I tip hotel managers or supervisors?
A: No. Managers and supervisors are salaried and don't expect tips. Direct your tips to hourly staff who rely on gratuities.
Q: Is it okay to tip using foreign currency?
A: Only if you're in that country. Staff need local currency they can easily use. Exchange your money first, then tip in local currency.
Hotel Tip Calculator
🧹 Housekeeping
🛎️ Bellhop
🎯 Concierge
🚗 Valet
Looking for more helpful tools? Check out ItemSplit - itemized bill splitter that complements tipguide’s calculators..
Disclaimer: This calculator is provided as-is for informational purposes. Tipping customs vary by location and situation. Always use your best judgment.