Housekeeping Tipping

[WinniWoman]

I usually leave a tip for housekeeping when I rent from an owner or directly from the resort or hotel and there is an envelope in the unit. But- if you are an owner paying maintenance fees, do you still leave a tip? I have never left a tip for housekeeping (or had an envelope placed in our unit) at our Smuggs timeshare, but there was one in our new Pollard Brook one. (Actually, I think Smuggs did put envelopes in the units for a few years but then discontinued the practice).

I feel we are already paying maintenance. Also,how do you know who will be getting this tip anyway? We had 3 different people/situations. The first night someone came by to ask if we needed anything. Then, the middle of the week we had a cleaning as part of our amenities by not sure who. Then the day before we left a completely different person from the first came to ask if we needed the trash thrown and towels changed, which we declined since we were leaving the next day anyway.

My husband also doesn't think we should tip in this case unless we ask for something above and beyond- something like that. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[VacationForever]

There was another long thread, i.e. can of worms on this topic a couple of months ago. Tips go directly to housekeeping staff and maintenance fees go to pay their wages, just like when you are paying a hotel. There is really not a difference. If you believe in tipping you should tip every time something significant is done including mid week cleaning. When I was traveling alot in my past life I also tipped for simple work like when a pillow was brought up to me. I believe tps that are collected on the last day are not shared with those who came earlier in the week.

 

[DeniseM]

I try to make a point of handing the tip directly to the person who provides the service. Or if it's cleaning day, and we aren't going to be there, I leave a tip with a note: "For the housekeeper, thank you! - DeniseM - date"

Maintenance fees do not go towards tips, and housekeepers make very low wages, so I don't think the maintenance fee is a consideration.

 

[Ty1on]

Maintenance fees do not go towards tips, and housekeepers make very low wages, so I don't think the maintenance fee is a consideration.

I agree with this. Also, some housekeeping staffs pool their tips, some don't.

 

[cotraveller]

WorldMark used to leave envelopes in the room, with a note on that that tipping was a personal choice and was optional. They stopped leaving the envelopes a number of years ago.

I always leave a tip for housekeeping. At a WorldMark resort I put the tip in an envelope, mark it housekeeping, Unit #xxxx, and give it to the front desk when we check out. That give me a little more assurance that it will actually get to the housekeeping personnel and not to the next person who happens to come in the unit. If we exchange into a non-WorldMark resort I normally use the same approach although sometimes I will leave the tip in the room.

 

[Passepartout]

I'll add, if it's daily service, I leave $3. If weekly, $20 goes on or under a pillow if there is no envelope. Better if I can put it in the hands of the housekeeper (maid)
MF has nothing to do with it.

Jim

 

[WinniWoman]

Now I feel bad, as I was going to leave a tip the last day but, again, wasn't sure who I was leaving it to and not sure about the practice for owners. I like the idea of leaving it on the day of the midweek cleaning since you know they are coming that day. Of course, they might not be the same crew that initially prepared the room. The other days I guess you play by ear- if you are there and they knock on the door - that's an easy call. If we don't want service, we can decline so no tip. If we say- "sure- change the towels and throw the trash thank you" we would hand them a tip. Of course, sometimes we don't have the "change" so to speak- another issue.

I honestly wouldn't trust some of the front desk people with it. They could easily tear open an envelope and take the dough for themselves.

 

[itchyfeet]

When we're in Mexico we leave a daily tip in pesos because we get daily HK. Other resorts we leave a tip at the end of the week. Usually $3-$5 daily or $20 weekly. I doubt if many resorts pay housekeepers more than minimum wage. And the minimum wage for housekeepers in Mexico is very very low.

 

[csxjohn]

We always leave a tip for house keeping, not much but it may brighten someone's day.

Usually $10 for a 1Br and $20 for a 2Br. For the daily touch up we give $5.

My Daytona resort leaves an envelope with the name of the person who cleaned the unit. It goes in a box in the lobby. For the daily touch up we hand it to the person coming in.

Search for the last thread if you can, pretty wide range of ideas. I tip just about anyone who does anything, fast food peeps, gas station help, mechanics, and all the normal ones.

 

[bobpark56]

Not always true

There was another long thread, i.e. can of worms on this topic a couple of months ago. Tips go directly to housekeeping staff and maintenance fees go to pay their wages, just like when you are paying a hotel. There is really not a difference. If you believe in tipping you should tip every time something significant is done including mid week cleaning. When I was traveling alot in my past life I also tipped for simple work like when a pillow was brought up to me. I believe tps that are collected on the last day are not shared with those who came earlier in the week.

What you say above is not true for all countries/locations. I have left tips in Spain that were rejected. I suspect this this may hold elsewhere as well. Any examples, anyone?

As an aside, when you are tipping, please do so in local currency. If you don't, the tippee just has to take it to a money exchanger and pay a fee to convert to local currency. This applies especially to stays in Mexico or the Caribbean, where many travelers thoughtlessly tip in US $.

 

[Ty1on]

What you say above is not true for all countries/locations. I have left tips in Spain that were rejected. I suspect this this may hold elsewhere as well. Any examples, anyone?

As an aside, when you are tipping, please do so in local currency. If you don't, the tippee just has to take it to a money exchanger and pay a fee to convert to local currency. This applies especially to stays in Mexico or the Caribbean, where many travelers thoughtlessly tip in US $.

Tips are rejected in Japan. In France of course, they will accept your tip, but then explain that tipping is not a French custom when they visit the US.

Your advice about local currency rings true in many cases, but especially in the tourist corridors of Mexico, dollars spend just fine. Also, you are paying an exchange fee so the tippee doesn't have to pay an exchange fee?

 

[Passepartout]

A little off topic, but if you want a bad experience tipping, just TRY it in Japan. They'll be insulted and you'll be ostracized. We tried to tip a baggage porter at a cruise terminal, and believe me, it was more than just the evil eye. He didn't want to be seen by any of his peers even being offered a tip!

 

[VacationForever]

What you say above is not true for all countries/locations. I have left tips in Spain that were rejected. I suspect this this may hold elsewhere as well. Any examples, anyone?

As an aside, when you are tipping, please do so in local currency. If you don't, the tippee just has to take it to a money exchanger and pay a fee to convert to local currency. This applies especially to stays in Mexico or the Caribbean, where many travelers thoughtlessly tip in US $.

Japan is a no-no but my point is not about which countries but more so about personal habits. Tips are happily accepted in Hong Kong for instance.

 

[Ty1on]

A little off topic, but if you want a bad experience tipping, just TRY it in Japan. They'll be insulted and you'll be ostracized. We tried to tip a baggage porter at a cruise terminal, and believe me, it was more than just the evil eye. He didn't want to be seen by any of his peers even being offered a tip!

Yes, in their culture, they take it as they don't make a decent living, so you have to offer them a handout.