How Much to Tip Hotel Housekeeping?
Here's a number that'll make you feel things: only 20–30% of hotel guests tip housekeeping. That's it. Most people just... don't.
And yet housekeeping is one of the hardest jobs in a hotel. They're cleaning up after strangers, on a tight schedule, for wages that barely clear minimum wage in a lot of states. No customer interaction, no charm tips, no card reader getting flipped around at checkout.
So yeah, tip them.
The Number: $2 to $5 Per Day
That's the standard range recommended by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. $2 on the low end for a budget hotel where you left a tidy room. $5 for a mid-range hotel with normal use. More if you're at a luxury property, had extra people in the room, or left things messier than you'd like to admit.
Per day is the key phrase there. Not per stay — per day. Because you might not have the same housekeeper every day, and leaving one lump sum at checkout means whoever cleans your room on day 4 gets nothing while whoever happens to be there on your last day gets it all.
Leave It Daily, Not at Checkout
This is the part most people get wrong even when they do tip.
Leave the money on your pillow or nightstand each morning before you head out, with a note that says "For Housekeeping" so it's clear the cash is intentional and not just forgotten. Without the note, some housekeepers won't touch it — they can't tell if it's a tip or money you accidentally left out.
A sticky note works. A hotel notepad works. Even a napkin with "thank you" written on it works. Just make it obvious.
When to Tip More
Go above $5 when there's a legitimate reason they earned it. You had kids or pets in the room — both of which create noticeably more work. You requested extra towels, pillows, or amenities multiple times. The room was a mess and you know it. You're in a suite or large room that takes longer to clean. You're staying more than a week — the same housekeeper coming back every day for that long deserves a bit more recognition.
At a luxury hotel where the service level is genuinely elevated — daily cleaning, nightly turndown, personalized touches — $5 to $10 per day is more appropriate. Some travelers at high-end properties tip $10 to $20, especially for long stays or exceptional service.
What if You Declined Housekeeping?
A lot of hotels now let you opt out of daily cleaning — environmentally friendly, and honestly sometimes you just don't want someone in your room. If you skipped housekeeping for most of your stay, tipping at checkout is still a good move, especially if your room needs real work when you leave. $5 to $10 for the checkout clean is reasonable.
What if You Don't Have Cash?
This is the most common reason people skip hotel tips — not stinginess, just the reality that most people don't carry cash anymore. A few options:
Some hotels have moved to digital tipping through apps or QR codes in the room — worth checking if yours has this. Otherwise, plan ahead. Hit an ATM on your way to the hotel or grab some small bills when you're out the first day. $5 in ones or a single five-dollar bill per day is all you need.
Does the Type of Hotel Change Things?
Yes, but maybe not how you'd expect.
At a budget hotel, $2 per day is fine. At a mid-range hotel, $3 to $5. At a luxury property, $5 to $10 and up. The reasoning isn't that nicer hotels deserve more because they're nicer — it's that the workload and expectations at higher-end properties are genuinely greater. More amenities to restock, more surfaces to clean, higher standards to meet.
At an all-inclusive resort, gratuities are often included in your package fee. Check your booking — if it says "all gratuities included," you're covered. If you're unsure, a small daily tip is still appreciated and never unwelcome.