Not everyone agrees what guests should tip at hotels. Here’s what three etiquette and hospitality experts and three hotel companies suggest. |
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Suggested tip by hotel guest |
Etiquette expert Patricia Rossi: |
Etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore: |
Hospitality expert Roberta Nedry: |
The Ritz-Carlton: |
Hyatt Hotels: |
Omni Hotels: |
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Opening car door |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0-$2 |
$0-$2 |
$0 |
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Parking car in valet lot |
$0 |
$0-$3 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0-$2 |
$2 |
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Returning car from valet lot |
$2-$5 |
$2-$5 |
$1 |
$2-$4 |
$1-$5 |
$2-$5 |
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Transporting bags from car to lobby |
$1-$2/bag |
$1-$2/bag |
$1-$5 |
$0 |
$2-$5 |
$1/bag |
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Delivering bags to guest room |
$1-$2/bag |
$1-$2/bag |
$1/bag |
$1/bag; $2/heavy bag |
$1/bag or $5 |
$1-$2/bag |
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Concierge |
$0 for directions/restaurant recommendation; $3-$5 for show tickets/restaurant reservation; $15-$20 for sold-out-event tickets/premier restaurant reservation |
$0 for directions/restaurant reservation; $10-$50 for hard-to-get event tickets/premier restaurant reservation |
$0 for directions, information or simple reservations; $10 minimum for hard-to-get tickets/premier restaurant reservations |
$0; $20-$30 for high-demand theater tickets/premier restaurant reservation |
$0 for an answer to a simple question; $5-$10 for making dinner reservation and arranging transportation; $10-$50 daily for multiple bookings |
$2/errand outside hotel; $1-$5/dinner reservation; $10-$20/reservation if recommended restaurant is outstanding; $5/event tickets; $10-$20/hard-to-get event tickets |
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Maid |
$3-$5/daily |
$1-$2/twice daily |
$1-$2/daily |
$1/daily |
$5 for one-night stay or $2/daily |
$1-$5/daily |
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Pool towel attendant |
$1 |
$0; $1-$2 for special service |
$0 unless special service is provided |
$1-$2 |
$0 |
$1 if towel brought to you |
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Spa personnel |
15%-20%/service |
15%-20% if not included in bill |
15%-20%/service |
$20/service* |
15%-20%/service |
10%-15%/service |
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One drink from bartender |
$1 |
$1-$2 or 10%-15% |
at least $1 |
$3-$4 |
15%-20% |
$1 |
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More than one drink from bartender |
$1/drink |
$1-$2/drink or 10%-15% |
10%-20% |
$5-$7 |
15%-20% |
$1/drink; $5/round of drinks |
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Waiter/waitress in restaurant |
15%-20% |
15%-20% |
10%-20% |
15%-20% |
15%-20% |
15%-20% |
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Waiter/waitress at buffet meal |
10%-15% |
15%-20% |
10%-15% |
$5 |
15%-20% |
10%-15% |
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Wine steward |
15%/wine bill |
10%-20%/wine bill; $20-$30 if very expensive wine is ordered |
10%-15%/wine bill |
10%/wine bill |
$0; tip on bill is sufficient |
15%-20%/wine bill |
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Servers during free food/drink at happy hour |
$0 for food server; $1/drink |
$0 unless tip jar is provided |
$0 if guests get everything themselves |
$0-$2 |
tip based on estimated retail value of free items received |
$0 |
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Front-desk agent |
$0; $3-$5 if give special service |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 unless special service is provided |
$0 unless concierge or bellman service is provided |
$0 unless concierge service is provided |
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Delivery of room-service order |
$1 extra if 15%-18% tip is on bill; $18%-20% if no tip on bill |
$0-$3 extra, plus tip on bill |
$0, plus tip on bill, unless special service is provided |
$2-$3 extra, plus tip on bill |
$0, plus tip on bill |
$0 unless very quick service is provided, plus tip on bill |
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Delivery of extra towel, phone book or other requested item |
$1/item |
$1-$3 |
$0 unless hard-to-do item is requested |
$0-$2 |
$0 unless special service is provided |
$1 |
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Delivery of laundered/ironed clothing |
$1-$3/item |
$1-$3 |
$0; $5-$10 if require very quick turnaround |
$2-$3 |
$0 unless special service is provided |
$1 |
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Repair person fixing a problem in room |
$2-$5 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0-$5 |
$0 unless special service is provided |
$0 |
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* = 10%-15% all-day service; $2 for robe/towel deliverySource: Etiquette and hospitality experts, hotels |
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