What kind of hotel?
Tip every morning, not at checkout. Rooms are often cleaned by a different person each day, so a lump sum at the end only reaches the last one. Leave cash with a note that says "Housekeeping".
Per-night tip guide by hotel type
| Hotel type | Min/night | Standard ★ | Generous | 3-night total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget motel | $2 | $3 | $5 | $9 |
| Standard hotel | $3 | $5 | $7 | $15 |
| Upscale hotel | $5 | $7 | $10 | $21 |
| Luxury / resort | $7 | $10 | $15 | $30 |
| Extended stay (7n) | $21 | $35 | $50 | $35 |
How much should you tip hotel housekeeping?
Unlike most tipped services, hotel housekeeping uses a flat rate per night rather than a percentage. The standard is $3–5 per night at a standard hotel and $5–10 per night at a resort or upscale property. For a 3-night stay at a mid-range hotel, budget $9–15 total.
The most important rule: tip daily, not just at checkout. Housekeeping staff rotate, meaning a different person may clean your room each day. A single tip left at checkout goes only to the last day's housekeeper. Leave $3–5 in cash on the pillow or nightstand each morning before you leave your room.
Hotel housekeeping is one of the most overlooked tipping situations in travel. Surveys suggest fewer than 30% of hotel guests leave tips. These staff clean multiple rooms per shift, often earning close to minimum wage with no guaranteed gratuity.
Suites, long stays and Do Not Disturb
- Hotel tier: Budget motel ($2–3/night), standard hotel ($3–5/night), upscale hotel ($5–7/night), luxury resort ($7–10+/night). The tip scales with the level of service expected.
- A suite with a kitchen and living area takes a lot longer to clean than a standard double room. Tip toward the higher end for suites or rooms with multiple beds.
- Length of stay: For extended stays (7+ nights), some guests consolidate tips to every 2–3 days rather than daily, and $10–15 per cleaning is fair.
- Do Not Disturb usage: If you declined daily service, only tip for days the room was actually cleaned. Leave a consolidated tip at checkout for serviced days only.
- If your room requires extra work like lots of towels, room service dishes, or a generally messier-than-average cleanup, tip toward the higher end or add a few extra dollars.
Hotel housekeeping tip etiquette
Always leave cash. Hotel housekeeping cannot be tipped via the front desk or your hotel bill in most properties. Place the tip visibly on the pillow, nightstand, or in a provided tip envelope with a note that says "Housekeeping, Thank you" so it's clear the money is intentional and not forgotten cash.
Tip separately from other hotel services: bellhop ($1–2 per bag), room service (18–20% if gratuity not included), concierge for special requests ($5–20). Each service is tipped independently.
For resort fees: even if your hotel charges a resort fee, this does not go to housekeeping staff. Continue tipping per night as normal. Resort fees cover amenities and facilities, not staff gratuity.