If Marriott’s business model is so bad that they can’t afford to pay maids for cleaning rooms, maybe they should cut their dividend or lay off a few of the multitude of EVPs and SVPs to whom they pay the big bucks.
You can pay between $100-$200 a night for a room and you’re too cheap to leave a couple of bucks for the maid?
Keep in mind also that a LOT of hotel workers are SEIU.
I never knew that tipping was “customary”. To the point where 70% of guests did it. I really wonder whether this is something new thats being called “customary” as opposed to revisionism. Like with the tip jars that are now prevelent but barely existed 20 years ago.
I could imagine tipping a hotel maid in the Philippines or something, where they make about $20 a day. If Marriott is so worried about the maids, maybe they should give them a raise?
There’s nothing “now” about it, tipping hotel staff goes way back. Back in the day there used to be a little metal plate on the dresser for your tip. Somewhere along the way that disappeared.
I’ve been seeing envelopes in hotel rooms for many years, now.
When there is no envelope, and one still wishes to tip, just take a piece of stationery, write a short note, like, “Thank you for taking care of our room while we stayed here,” and wrap the tip one wishes to give in the piece of stationery.
I’m a software engineer working via contracts to different companies. Every time I deliver software I demand that I get an additional tip over and above my hourly rate ;)
Where does it stop?
Do maids make below the minimum wage like food servers? I don’t think so. Did I ask the maid to do something specifically, and only, for me? No. Is there any variability on what the maid had to do for my room vs. others? No.
What am I tipping for then? Or are we talking about a shake-down to guarantee they actually did change the sheets?
Besides, how many of them are here legally anyway? They’re almost all hispanic, I have a hard time believing they’re all legal residents/citizens - they probably drive down the pay rate for these jobs in the first place.
I’ve no problem tipping for things where I actually interact with somebody doing something that I specifically asked for and expected prompt service. I don’t see how this qualifies.
I always try to tip at least 18-20 % of the room rate before taxes.
Not.
I always tip, and tip well.
the is OLD NEWS, seriously there is nothing to report this this age old practice? I have seen this being done for DECADES.
They might as well report day follows night.
Not a good idea.
I always try to tip the maid when I stay at a hotel. Not a huge tip but a few bucks to let them know I appreciate what they do.
Tipping was common place when I worked in Alaska at some of the big resorts but towards the end of the 90’s the companies started to take away the cards asking to tip maids, baristas and such, . Only bar tenders were allowed to ask for tips.
If THAT doesn’t work, the maid could just squat in the room with a tin cup and sorrowful look on her face the day you leave. /s
Arnold tipped the maid...
-PJ
Not only that, how can you claim an expense without a receipt. Glad I used my marriott points up
If you get good service, tip bellhops, maids and any one who provides service to you. Its simple courtesy.
A hotel bill does NOT include gratuity.
I once tipped the hotel maid while staying in Hartford.
She left me a very nice hand-written thank you note and a bag of cookies. Gave me the impression I was the only guy in the history of the state of Connecticut who had ever tipped the hotel maid.
If I am staying multiple nights I will tip a little something the first night. If its just a one nighter I won’t. Motel rates are getting a little out of hand.
One question, are they represented by a union?
When I had to stay overnight at the hotel I worked at I’d leave a few bucks for the gal who cleaned my room, as well as any leftover brewskis [if any survived the night]. Only seemed a nice touch, even though I didn’t trash the room—and I’ve got lotsa stories I could tell about some of the guests...