7 Ways to Tip Like a Boss During Your Next Hotel Stay

1. Tip early.

Do you wait until all services have been
rendered before you dole out tips? Rookie mistake. “In almost every situation, tipping up
front is the best way to go,” Tomsky says. “Get that out of the way, right
away, and watch the stress drain from the situation.” 

Murphy agrees. “I usually tip early in my stay,” he says. “I often
give the first person that is in a position to help me a substantial gratuity
and make it clear I will appreciate their best efforts on my behalf.”

2. Be clear and confident.

No need to fumble, mumble, or be shy when it comes to tipping. “I put
the gratuity in the palm of my hand and offer a firm handshake while making eye
contact. This way they know I appreciate their effort, but I am not making a
spectacle or public declaration of the transaction,” Murphy says. 

And don’t worry
about a tip being inappropriate. “Worst-case scenario, they refuse politely and still consider you a
wonderful person for even trying,” Tomsky says. But in most cases, tipping is
warmly welcomed. “Embrace it! Loud and proud. It is a beautiful
gesture. No reason on earth to be awkward,” Tomsky assures. “Just a simple ‘Here this
is for you,’ and it’s all over.” 

3. Always tip housekeeping.

If there’s one job that should always, always receive a tip, it’s this.
“I’ve done housekeeping,
and it is HARD,” Tomsky says. Murphy
adds that housekeeping is “meant to have an almost invisible personal presence,
but their work is the most visibly recognizable.” 

So if the hotel leaves
envelopes for tips, be sure to use them. “Money left on a night table is
ambiguous. Is it a tip? Or am I an absent-minded fool who left his cash
behind?” Murphy says. “A five on the desk might look like a five on the
desk you expect to see there when you return,” Tomsky adds. “The addressed and
sealed envelope is key.”

4. Tip on the level of service, not the luxury of the hotel.

It’s easy to be swayed by luxurious surroundings — or be dismissive of
value hotels — but the truth is, good service requires the same amount of effort no matter the level of hotel, and thus should always be rewarded. “I
usually evaluate all hotel staff based on the quality of their service, not the
cost of the hotel,” Murphy says. In other words, even if you’re staying in a
budget motel by the highway, you should still leave out money for housekeeping,
because your sheets don’t change themselves.

5. Throw a little cash on top of the room service tab.

We know. Room service is already super pricey. And if there’s
an added gratuity on top, you may feel you’ve paid your share. But if you can,
pass along a few dollars in cash in addition. After all, that added gratuity goes onto a paycheck
that’s taxed, which means it can “come out pretty paltry on the other end,” Tomsky says. “A few
dollars in the pocket can mean the world to them.” 

And even if you’re not
inclined to tip above that 20 percent, consider adding a bit more during certain
times of the day or for certain room service orders. “If the delivery is particularly late at night or involves chocolate
and/or Champagne, I’ll tip a few bucks above the included gratuity,” Murphy
says.

6. Study the norm, and go a little above.

The American Hotel
and Lodging Association puts out a set of “Gratuity Guidelines,” but both of our experts felt their suggestions were a tad too skimpy. “These are pretty much on par with what is
average,” Murphy says. But he’s not content to settle for average. “I’ll
consistently give more to individuals who remember my name and what I like,
treat my kids well, or introduce me to an awesome bar, restaurant, view, local
shop, or something I had no idea existed.” Tomsky also believes in
bumping up these amounts. “Honestly, on down the list, I’d make every $1 into
$2,” he says. “But this list is a pretty decent starting point.”

7. Give thanks, and get thanks.

Ultimately,
tipping is about karma. “Hospitality is hard, and it’s the best way to show any
hotel employee you understand that universal truth,” Tomsky says. Sometimes
that karma comes full circle. A well-placed tip can open doors…literally.
“Twice, 100 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $10 US) at check-in got me
upgraded to deluxe rooms on top floors,” Tomsky adds. 

But ultimately tipping is
about showing appreciation. “Giving
gives us pleasure. Knowing this, I usually over tip. This way everyone walks
away happy — except my accountant,” Murphy says.

Oyster’s General Guidelines for Tipping:

• Valet/Parking
  Attendant: $2 to $5
• Shuttle
  driver: $2
• Door
  Staff: $2 to $5 for hailing cabs (especially in poor weather)
• Bellman:
  $2/bag ($5 for especially cumbersome bags)
• Front
  Desk: $5 to $10 (optional, but encouraged)
• Concierge:
  $20
• Housekeeping:
  $5/day
• Room
  service: 20% of the tab (a few extra dollars in cash if tip is automatically
  charged)
• Delivery
  of items to room: $2 to $5
• Pool
  or beach attendant: $5
• Waitstaff busing
  buffets: $5

*Based on expert feedback.