Here's the appropriate amount to tip hotel housekeeping during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether you're dining out or using rideshare services, tipping is a common practice. When on vacation, you likely tip your airport cab driver, the bellhop who assists with your luggage, and even for room service. But have you considered how much to tip the housekeeping staff at your hotel?

According to Rick Camac, dean of restaurant and hospitality management at the Institute of Culinary Education, the practice of tipping housekeeping has evolved significantly over the past decade—from a polite gesture to a strong recommendation, and now to an expectation. As travel resumes and hotels reopen, tipping housekeeping has become even more essential.

As we gradually transition into a post-COVID-19 travel landscape, the hospitality sector is adopting significant changes to enhance the safety of both guests and staff. From high-end resorts like the Four Seasons to hotels at Disney World, new health protocols such as contactless check-in and socially distanced dining are being introduced to minimize the risk of virus transmission. Hotels are also intensifying their cleaning protocols to ensure rooms are thoroughly sanitized, providing guests with peace of mind. Hilton has unveiled its Hilton CleanStay standards, emphasizing deep cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, while Marriott has established its Global Cleanliness Council, implementing stringent cleaning practices using hospital-grade disinfectants and electrostatic sprayers.

Tipping Guidelines for Hotel Housekeeping

Prior to the pandemic, Camac suggested a daily tip of $2 if no special services were rendered, and between $3 to $5 for additional tasks or superior service, such as providing extra pillows, chocolates, or turndown service. In light of the increased demands on housekeepers during the COVID-19 pandemic, he now advises a daily tip of $5, considering it a reasonable investment for enhanced safety and comfort. He also emphasizes the importance of tipping daily rather than a lump sum at checkout, as different housekeepers may service your room each day.

The union Unite Here, which represents workers in the hotel and other sectors, shares a similar perspective. In a statement to Dinogo, they noted, "The implementation of these enhanced standards will significantly increase the workload for hotel housekeepers represented by the union, who may be tasked with cleaning up to 16 rooms a day—a job that is both physically demanding and repetitive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, regular room cleaning is crucial to safeguard guests from potential exposure to coronavirus particles that could enter their room during their stay or be circulated through the hotel's ventilation system. Additionally, thorough cleaning of each room after checkout is necessary to eliminate any virus particles that might remain from the previous guest."

In light of these new protocols, Unite Here advises hotel guests to permit housekeeping to clean their rooms daily and suggests tipping housekeepers between $2 and $5 each day.