Marriott Hotels Invite Tips for Maids-Oops another tipping thread! (1 Viewer)

[Christo]

Do you leave a tip in your hotel room for the maid? Marriott is launching a program with Maria Shriver to put envelopes in hotel rooms to encourage tipping.

The campaign, called "The Envelope Please," begins this week. Envelopes will be placed in 160,000 rooms in the U.S. and Canada. Some 750 to 1,000 hotels will participate from Marriott brands like Courtyard, Residence Inn, J.W. Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance hotels.

The name of the person who cleans the room will be written on the envelope along with a message: "Our caring room attendants enjoyed making your stay warm and comfortable. Please feel free to leave a gratuity to express your appreciation for their efforts."

Shriver, who founded an organization called A Woman's Nation that aims to empower women, says many travelers don't realize tipping hotel room attendants is customary. "There's a huge education of the traveler that needs to occur," she said. "If you tell them, they ask, 'How do I do that?'" She said envelopes make it easy for guests to leave cash for the right person in a secure way.

So how much should you leave? Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson says $1 to $5 per night, depending on room rate, with more for a high-priced suite.

Michael Lynn, a professor at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, says his research shows that "30 percent of people stiff the maid," while 70 percent said they usually leave a tip.

Sorenson noted that housekeepers "are less frequently tipped" than other hotel workers because they do an "invisible task." In contrast, workers who carry bags, hail cabs and park cars tend to get tipped because they "make a personal connection" with guests, he said.

Rosario Rodriguez, who works as a housekeeper at Marriott's Times Square hotel, says many guests don't tip and welcomes the envelope campaign as "a good idea."

Jessica Lynn Strosky of DuBois, Pennsylvania, who earns $7.75 an hour cleaning rooms at a hotel that's not a Marriott, says only 1 in 15 or 20 guests leaves a tip. When they do, it's a dollar or two; she's lucky to get $20 a week in tips. "I've talked to lots of people who say they don't know they are supposed to tip," she said.

Unlike waitresses who earn less than minimum wage because tips are expected to raise their earnings, hotel housekeepers are paid minimum wage, and in expensive markets, substantially more. In Washington D.C., Sorenson said, Marriott housekeepers start in the mid-teens per hour.

Not everyone applauds the envelope concept. "It is not Marriott's responsibility to remind customers to tip; it's their responsibility to pay their workers enough so that tips aren't necessary," said author Barbara Ehrenreich, who tried working as a hotel maid for her 2001 book "Nickel and Dimed," which chronicled her experiences in low-wage jobs.

But Scott Lazerson, 42, who lives in Sundance, Utah, said he "had no idea" tipping was customary until his wife told him on a recent trip to Orlando. He said he "feels stupid" for not knowing all these years, and added: "Yes, the hotel industry needs to do a campaign about it."

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/envelopes-marriott-hotels-invite-tips-maids-25503553

 

[3C's]

"they don't know they are supposed to tip" No honey, they are not.

And I'll be staying at a Renaissance soon. Other than emptying the trash of beer bottles they really have nothing to do. I make the bed (can barely tell I slept anyway) and reuse towels.

 

[Brony]

If I leave any bodily residue in the bathroom, I usually tip.

 

[Socrates11]

B.S. Getting a home at a hotel comes with the expectation that the hotel will provide daily maid service. If your room is clean then the maid has done the job the hotel hired them to do, no more no less. Why would we tip? The hospital sheet tuck was done with more flair than normal? You can see your reflection in the fake wood laminate of the coffee table?

This is nothing more than the Marriot trying to get their maids more money via the customer tipping versus having to pay them more.

 

[Zow]

at "Most people don't realize it is customary to leave a tip."

If most people don't know it or do it, it ain't customary, toots.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

If I leave any bodily residue in the bathroom, I usually tip.

Shuke leaves it on the floor.

 

[Zow]

B.S. Getting a home at a hotel comes with the expectation that the hotel will provide daily maid service. If your room is clean then the maid has done the job the hotel hired them to do, no more no less. Why would we tip? The hospital sheet tuck was done with more flair than normal? You can see your reflection in the fake wood laminate of the coffee table?

This is nothing more than the Marriot trying to get their maids more money via the customer tipping versus having to pay them more.

FWIW I tip all all-inclusives. For a few bucks a day they'll do a much better job and usually leave much better booze.

 

[avoiding injuries]

Pay them less than minimum wage, lower the cost of the room and then leave me an envelope.

 

[Zow]

Pay them less than minimum wage, lower the cost of the room and then leave me an envelope.

This would work.

 

[Bucky86]

B.S. Getting a home at a hotel comes with the expectation that the hotel will provide daily maid service. If your room is clean then the maid has done the job the hotel hired them to do, no more no less. Why would we tip? The hospital sheet tuck was done with more flair than normal? You can see your reflection in the fake wood laminate of the coffee table?

This is nothing more than the Marriot trying to get their maids more money via the customer tipping versus having to pay them more.

This.

 

[RUSF18]

Other hotel chains have been doing this for a while now. I don't think Hilton does either, but the medium tier ones seem to.

I consider myself a very good tipper in basically all walks of life, but I have no interest in tipping for regular maid service. I just don't get it done, unless it's an all-inclusive type place and I need the bar restocked. Then I'll leave a few bucks, and at other places, if I need fresh towels, I'll call down and give a couple bucks to the person who brings them up.

 

[avoiding injuries]

B.S. Getting a home at a hotel comes with the expectation that the hotel will provide daily maid service. If your room is clean then the maid has done the job the hotel hired them to do, no more no less. Why would we tip? The hospital sheet tuck was done with more flair than normal? You can see your reflection in the fake wood laminate of the coffee table?

This is nothing more than the Marriot trying to get their maids more money via the customer tipping versus having to pay them more.

This.

Don't forget about Shriver's self gratifying need for attention.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I usually leave a few bucks or all my change.

Unless I sex soil the bed, then I leave a Lincoln.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

I usually leave $5-10, all of my pocket change and whatever beer/pedialyte/jerky that is leftover.

 

[SacramentoBob]

many travelers don't realize tipping hotel room attendants is customary.

Jessica Lynn Strosky of DuBois, Pennsylvania, who earns $7.75 an hour cleaning rooms at a hotel that's not a Marriott, says only 1 in 15 or 20 guests leaves a tip.

Uhhh, if only 5% of people are doing it, it's not customary.

 

[Poke_4_Life]

Interesting.

I travel 50+ nights/year mostly in Marriott properties. I never tip the housekeeping, but most of the time I leave up the DND sign and just get more towels if I need them.

This new tipping thing is interesting, because recently I stayed a Marriott that was giving bonus reward points (250/night) to opt out of cleaning during your stay. I took those points, because I love my Marriott points.

I'm actually wondering how my employer would handle the tipping of housekeeping. If I can get it through the expense report I may start leaving a few bucks when I check out.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

I usually leave $5-10, all of my pocket change and whatever beer/pedialyte/jerky that is leftover.

So does Shuke.

 

[parasaurolophus]

A Cornell education just isn't what it used to be.

 

[Arizona Ron]

I love this idea.

I usually just leave cash and whatever loose change I have for them on the table.

Also, when I'm staying for multiple days and even weeks, I often leave cash/change around (which has never been stolen). But I'm sure the person turning over my room can't be the same person for 2-3 weeks straight.

This is an easy way to say, "here this is for you" and them not feeling like they stole it.

Again, I love this idea.

 

[Zow]

I love this idea.

I usually just leave cash and whatever loose change I have for them on the table.

Also, when I'm staying for multiple days and even weeks, I often leave cash/change around (which has never been stolen). But I'm sure the person turning over my room can't be the same person for 2-3 weeks straight.

This is an easy way to say, "here this is for you" and them not feeling like they stole it.

Again, I love this idea.

I like the idea, I don't like the execution of it and the message essentially being "hey idiots, you're supposed to be tipping our maids."

 

[Jayrok]

I stayed a few days at a Marriott fairly recently and planned to leave a tip but decided not to. I asked for a no-tuck and came in from work to a tuck. It cost not only a tip, but also a small bag of freeze dried coffee.

 

[Fennis]

I leave $5 any day I have them come in to clean.

I always leave it on my pillow, like a reverse tooth fairy.

 

[[icon]]

Probably stay in hotels 20-30 nights a year on average. I put up Do Not Disturb tag on all but week+ stays, and request towels as needed (tip $5 for bringing).

I'll sometimes leave a few bucks but more often than not I leave nothing. I'm paying a good bit of money (always stay 3star+) for a room. It's reasonable to assume the room will be prepped for my arrival, and cleaned after my departure.

Now, if I make a big mess somehow, then I might leave $ proportionate to the mess (see: Vegas).

 

[johnnycakes]

I never tip the maids. What's the point, anyhow?

 

[Fennis]

I never tip the maids. What's the point, anyhow?

ever here that urban legend where the maid shoves your toothbrush up their ### and takes a picture?

$5 works as insurance money.

 

[johnnycakes]

I never tip the maids. What's the point, anyhow?

ever here that urban legend where the maid shoves your toothbrush up their ### and takes a picture?

$5 works as insurance money.

I figure if they're inclined to do that, they'll do that whether I leave money or not.

 

[chet]

I always tip the maid $2-5 depending on what I have. I figure it's the right thing to do and she has access to my stuff. Lot of cheapskates in this thread. Many times I only stay overnight so and I still tip even though she will never see me again.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

I stayed a few days at a Marriott fairly recently and planned to leave a tip but decided not to. I asked for a no-tuck and came in from work to a tuck. It cost not only a tip, but also a small bag of freeze dried coffee.

Blame Tom Brady for the whole tuck rule fiasco

 

[Jules Winnfield]

I usually leave $5-10, all of my pocket change and whatever beer/pedialyte/jerky that is leftover.

So does Shuke.

I thought he played "just the tip" and then jerked for the maid

 

[Jobber]

I normally leave the room cleaner than when I got there. I'm a maid's dream come true. They should tip me.

 

[johnnycakes]

I always tip the maid $2-5 depending on what I have. I figure it's the right thing to do and she has access to my stuff. Lot of cheapskates in this thread. Many times I only stay overnight so and I still tip even though she will never see me again.

Did she ever see you the first time?

 

[Brony]

I always tip the maid $2-5 depending on what I have. I figure it's the right thing to do and she has access to my stuff. Lot of cheapskates in this thread. Many times I only stay overnight so and I still tip even though she will never see me again.

Did she ever see you the first time?

That's why I tip $3 per night, plus a head shot of mine.

 

[Koya]

Regardless whether or not you know it, the correct action is to leave a nominal tip for the service provided.

I've been to a number of hotels who leave envelopes.

The fact that Marriott is looking out for their employees is also not a surpirse as they have a reputation for being one of the better hospitality companies to work for.

 

[belljr]

I thought most hotels already do this

 

[msommer]

If I'm leaving the country after my stay I may leave the coins behind.

Enough with the tipping. Pay people a decent wage.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

If I leave any bodily residue in the bathroom, I usually tip.

Mark Mangino agrees with this post.

 

[culdeus]

Stupid. My wife insists on doing this out of guilt. With restaurant service at least there is the illusion they put up that they might remember you if you come back.

Pay people what they are worth. If it costs another couple bucks a night so be it.

 

[eoMMan]

I just hump them. I like to think they appreciate that more than a couple bucks.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

I just hump them. I like to think they appreciate that more than a couple bucks.

Sometimes...tipping can lead to humping. Sometimes.

(at least I like to hope so)

 

[NutterButter]

Stupid. My wife insists on doing this out of guilt. With restaurant service at least there is the illusion they put up that they might remember you if you come back.

Pay people what they are worth. If it costs another couple bucks a night so be it.

Exactly. Enough with this tipping already.

 

[kupcho1]

Yes, free envelopes"

 

[Judge Smails]

I tend to do it at nicer properties. Just stayed at the Langham in Boston. Great experience, turndown service, etc. If I'm at a Hampton Inn I'm usually not leaving anything. That being said, I've left $40 for a day before during our annual golf trip to Palm Springs when our suite looks like a disaster area after poker, cocktails, cigars, etc. That might not be enough.

 

[T Bell]

I'm all for maid tipping. I just like the looks of shock on their faces.

 

[RhymesMcJuice]

Yeah, let's tip maids but #### anyone that works at McDonalds.

 

[3C's]

I'm all for maid tipping. I just like the looks of shock on their faces.

Kinda like cow tipping?

 

[Vike Me]

Your money is on the dresser, chocolate.

 

[parasaurolophus]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/06/24/hotel.housekeeping.tipping/

Tipping housekeepers is "a really lovely thing," said Reneta McCarthy, a Cornell lecturer who started out in the industry as a housekeeping manager with Marriott."But generally speaking I would say the majority of people don't do it. And when you look at it, you know, I hate to say it, but this is not considered a tips position. The housekeepers, unlike the bellmen, are not filling out tip reporting forms," she said.

Article from 2011, funny that the stats are reversed.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Stupid. My wife insists on doing this out of guilt. With restaurant service at least there is the illusion they put up that they might remember you if you come back.

Pay people what they are worth. If it costs another couple bucks a night so be it.

I don't even ever think about this. The key with restaurant service is that you get your service before you tip and there is personal interaction. Oh yeah, and they are paid tip wage.

 

[NCCommish]

I usually leave a buck or two. But really I only do that because I know they get paid like crap. I would gladly pay a few more bucks for a room if it meant the maids were getting a decent wage.

 

[East Coast Bias]

I always tip the maid. I thought everyone did. I guess I'll stop.