Hotel Tipping Guide: Who to Tip and How Much

This is the most commonly overlooked hotel tip. Leave $2–5 per night for housekeeping, placed on the pillow or nightstand with a note that says "Thank you" or "For housekeeping" so they know it's intended for them (and not just loose change you left behind).

Tip daily rather than at the end of your stay, because different housekeepers may clean your room on different days. A $20 lump sum at checkout only benefits whoever cleans your room that final day.

For extended stays, suites, or if you've made an unusual mess (kids, party, lots of room service trays), tip on the higher end — $5–10 per night.

Tip the bellhop $1–2 per bag when they carry your luggage to or from your room. For a couple with two suitcases, $4–5 total is standard. If you have heavy bags, lots of items, or they provide extra assistance (showing you around the room, explaining hotel features), bump it to $5–10 total.

If the bellhop hails you a cab or helps with something beyond luggage, an additional $1–2 per service is appropriate.

The concierge tip depends entirely on what they do for you. Simple directions or restaurant suggestions don't require a tip, though $5 is a nice gesture. If they secure hard-to-get reservations, arrange tickets to a sold-out show, or plan a detailed itinerary, $10–20 is appropriate.

For truly exceptional service — organizing a surprise proposal, coordinating complex travel arrangements, or solving a real problem during your stay — $20–50 reflects the value they provided. Think of it proportionally to the effort and result.

Tip 15–20% for room service delivery — but first, check your bill carefully. Many hotels include an automatic service charge or gratuity on room service orders (often 18–22%). If it's already included, you don't need to add more, though an extra $2–5 for the person who delivered it is a nice touch.

If no service charge is listed, tip 15–20% just as you would at a restaurant. The person delivering your food navigated an elevator, hallways, and set everything up in your room — that's more work than table service.

Tip $2–5 when your car is returned to you (not when you drop it off). At luxury hotels, $5–10 is more appropriate. If you're requesting your car multiple times per day, tip each time — the valet is doing the same amount of work each retrieval.

Tip the doorman $1–2 for hailing a cab or helping with bags. If they're simply opening the door, no tip is needed — that's part of the hotel's general service. For going above and beyond (holding an umbrella in the rain, loading heavy shopping bags), $2–5 is appropriate.