Quick Answer
Whether $2 is an appropriate tip for housekeeping at a motel per night stayed depends on a few factors:
- Quality of service and effort required: If housekeeping provides exceptional service, cleans thoroughly, and the room requires significant tidying/restocking, $2 may be on the lower end.
- Local tipping norms: In some areas, $2 is considered a standard tip, while in others $3-5 may be more typical. Checking regional tipping guidelines can provide context.
- Room rate/motel class: At higher-end hotels or more expensive room rates, tips in the $3-5 range are more customary.
- Number of people in room: For multiple guests using a room, a slightly higher tip may be warranted.
- Length of stay: On longer stays, periodic tips (every 3-5 days) rather than daily tips are typical.
While $2 is often an acceptable tip, $3-5 per night is more generous based on the above factors. Setting expectations with the motel on their tipping policies can also provide helpful guidance.
The Role of Housekeeping
Motel housekeepers have an important behind-the-scenes role in ensuring a clean, comfortable, and safe guest experience. Their responsibilities typically include:
- Cleaning bathrooms: Disinfecting sinks and counters, cleaning toilets, showers, mirrors, replacing towels.
- Changing bed linens: Removing dirty sheets and making beds with fresh linens.
- Vacuuming floors, entryways, upholstered furniture.
- Dusting surfaces throughout the room including TVs, desks, dressers, windowsills.
- Restocking supplies: Toilet paper, tissues, soap, coffee, cups.
- Removing trash/recycling and replacing bags.
- Reporting maintenance issues in the room.
- Checking for personal belongings left behind.
- Sanitizing surfaces including remote controls, doors, and high-touch areas.
A thorough cleaning and sanitizing of the room between guests is essential for comfort, hygiene, and the motel’s reputation. Housekeepers work extremely hard, often lifting heavy mattresses and supplies, bending, and scrubbing.
Factors Impacting Appropriate Tip Amount
When considering an appropriate tip for motel housekeeping, here are some important factors to take into account:
Quality and Effort of Service
The overall quality of the cleaning and level of effort required should impact your tip amount. Some considerations:
– Was the room thoroughly cleaned and sanitized upon arrival? Counters, floor, tub sparkling?
– Were sinks, shower, and toilet scrubbed and disinfected?
– Was there attention to detail such as folded end of toilet paper, decorative towels/pillows placed?
– Were carpets vacuumed, including edges and under furniture?
– Was furniture dusted under lamps, behind TV, around edges?
– Were the beds neatly and tightly made?
– Were all amenities properly restocked? Soap, shampoo, coffee, cups, ice bucket.
– Was the fridge cleaned out and wiped down?
If the room was pristine upon arrival, the housekeeper likely worked hard and deserves a higher tip like $3-5. For an average cleaning, $2 is more customary.
Local Tipping Norms
Tipping customs can vary greatly across different regions of the U.S. Checking local norms provides helpful context:
– In some budget motels, $1-2 tips are standard for basic cleaning.
– In tourist regions like Las Vegas, $3-4 is the average.
– In high-end establishments, $5 or more per night is typical.
When staying at national motel/hotel chains, check corporate tipping guidelines. For independent local motels, ask the front desk for tipping recommendations.
Room Rate and Motel Class
The room rate paid and overall motel class also help guide appropriate tips:
| Motel Class | Sample Rate | Recommended Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $50-70 | $1-2 |
| Moderate | $70-150 | $2-3 |
| Upscale | $150-300 | $3-5 |
| Luxury | $300+ | $5+ |
At higher room rates and motels with enhanced amenities and services, tipping at the higher end of the range is customary.
Number of Guests
For rooms with multiple guests, tips should be increased accordingly:
| Number of Guests | Recommended Tip |
|---|---|
| 1 | Base tip amount |
| 2 | Add $1-2 |
| 3+ | Add $2-3 |
Having more guests inherently creates more work for housekeeping. More towels and bathroom supplies are used, more trash accumulates, and more cleaning is needed.
Length of Stay
For extended motel stays of 5 nights or longer, periodic tipping every 3-5 days is customary rather than daily tipping:
| Length of Stay | Recommended Tip Frequency |
|---|---|
| 1-2 nights | Daily tip |
| 3-4 nights | Daily or end of stay |
| 5+ nights | Every 3-5 days |
Periodic tipping allows you to adjust tip amounts based on service quality and avoids excessive daily tipping for long stays.
Housekeeping Tipping Etiquette
Following proper tipping etiquette ensures your tips are received correctly:
- Tip daily vs. end of stay: Daily tipping allows housekeepers to receive tips immediately.
- Leave tip in obvious spot: Leave on pillow or bed with note, not randomly placed.
- Tip cash: Cash ensures the tip goes directly to the appropriate housekeeper.
- Double-check do not disturb signs if you skip a day’s cleaning.
- Request envelope to tip individual housekeepers if desired.
- Tip houseman for special requests separately.
- Avoid tipping on credit card to ensure housekeeper gets the tip.
Being thoughtful with tip timing, placement, and method will maximize the chance it reaches the person providing the service.
Alternative Tipping Methods
While cash tips are preferred, here are some other acceptable options if needed:
Tip on Motel Bill
Many motels allow adding a tip for housekeeping onto the final bill at checkout. This ensures tips are distributed to staff. However, tips should be in cash envelope whenever possible.
Write Note of Appreciation
If unable to tip, writing a thank-you note expressing appreciation can highlight great service. Include room number and date stayed.
Tip Higher at Dining/Bar Areas
Increasing tips to motel restaurant servers, bartenders, and baristas also indirectly supports housekeepers. These teams often share tips.
Notify Management
Providing positive feedback to management highlighting great service by a housekeeper will support and encourage staff.
Impact of Tipping on Staff Morale
Housekeeper tips have a big impact on job satisfaction and morale:
- Show appreciation for hard work cleaning rooms.
- Provide financial incentive and supplement low wages.
- Help offset physically demanding work.
- Build personal guest relationships through recognition.
- Represent acknowledgement for good service.
- Create a sense of pride in work.
- Reflect guest satisfaction.
Fair tipping shows respect for housekeepers and the essential service they provide. For many, tips dramatically boost often-low earnings.
Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted housekeeper tipping:
- Enhanced cleaning protocols increase workloads.
- More frequent and thorough cleaning of high-touch areas.
- New sanitizing procedures between guests.
- Higher risk of exposure while cleaning rooms.
- Reduced occupancy rates at many motels resulting in fewer tips.
- Higher reliance on tips to compensate for reduced work hours.
Acknowledging these greater burdens by tipping at the higher end of standard ranges can help motivate housekeepers during challenging times.
Economic Realities for Housekeepers
Motel housekeeping has historically been a low-paying job. Some economic realities include:
- Federal minimum cash wage only $2.13 per hour for tipped staff.
- Median hourly wage around $11 per hour nationally.
- High physical demands while cleaning multiple rooms.
- Often no health insurance or paid time off provided.
- Tips essential part of making a living wage.
- Reliance on steady tip income to pay bills.
- Little public awareness about pay rates.
Fair tipping is crucial for housekeepers to earn decent take-home pay after intense physical work. Even a few dollars make a difference.
Regional Differences in Tipping Amounts
Common tip amounts for motel housekeepers can vary significantly across different areas of the United States:
| Region | Typical Tips |
|---|---|
| West Coast (WA, OR, CA) | $2-5 |
| East Coast (NY, MA, DC) | $3-5 |
| South (GA, FL, TX) | $2-3 |
| Midwest (IL, MO, OH) | $1-2 |
| Hawaii | $5-10 |
| Alaska | $5-10 |
Higher tips are customary in some areas like Hawaii where costs are greater. In budget regions like the Midwest, lower tips around $1-2 are more standard.
Housekeeping Tipping Guidelines by Motel Chain
Many national motel and hotel chains provide tipping recommendations:
| Motel Chain | Suggested Tip |
|---|---|
| Marriott | $2-5 per night |
| Hilton | $1-5 per night |
| Hyatt | $2-3 per night |
| Wyndham | $2-5 per stay |
| Best Western | $1-5 per night |
| Motel 6 | $1-2 per night |
These ranges account for differences in properties and locations while providing helpful benchmarks.
Tax Treatment of Tips for Housekeepers
The IRS considers tips regular taxable income for housekeepers:
- Tips must be reported as income.
- Federal income tax, Medicare, and Social Security tax apply.
- Only first $20 per month in tips are tax-exempt.
- Motels must allocate tip income for tax purposes when pooled.
- Pay stubs show allocated tip income estimates.
- Actual cash tips received may differ from allocation.
These tax rules, especially tip allocation by employers, make cash tips preferred for the full amount to reach housekeepers.
Fair Compensation for Motel Housekeepers
To provide fair pay and reduce reliance on tips, many advocate for:
- Higher base hourly wages for housekeepers.
- Pay scales based on experience and tenure.
- Premium pay for late night/early morning shifts.
- Benefits like health insurance, retirement, paid time off.
- Clear policies on tip distribution and pooling.
- Compensation for physically demanding work.
- Wages keeping pace with inflation and rising costs.
While tipping provides a needed supplement, improved overall compensation better values housekeepers’ hard work in supporting motel operations.
Conclusion
Tipping motel housekeepers $2 per night stayed is often considered an acceptable baseline. However, tip amounts of $3-5 per night more appropriately reflect the physical demands of the job, extensive cleaning required between guests, and the exemplary service provided by many housekeepers. With regional differences, type of motel, room rates, and other factors impacting tips, checking local tipping norms provides useful guidance. Housekeepers rely on gratuities as an essential part of making ends meet and supporting their families. Generous tipping acknowledges the key role housekeepers play in ensuring a great guest experience.