Room Service Tipping Guide: How Much to Tip for Hotel Service

Experts weigh in on tipping etiquette.

Ask most travelers what they tip for room service, and chances are you’ll be met with a blank stare. Tipping is tricky, yet necessary; however, the etiquette can vary depending on where you are.

“It’s the most awkward thing to tell someone what to tip because [expectations are] so different everywhere,” says Julie Danziger, managing partner of Embark Beyond in New York City. “Especially for Americans who are used to tipping in one way, which other countries might take as an insult.”

There are no hard and fast rules for tipping. Therefore, do what makes you most comfortable, and don’t hesitate to ask your host or travel advisor for guidance. Try not to stress over it; we’ve all made mistakes at times. Fortunately, there are some guidelines to keep you informed of the tipping trends at home and abroad. Read on for tipping advice from travel and etiquette experts.

When to Tip for Room Service

Tipping for room service is typically expected in destinations where tipping is customary, especially when a room service charge has not already been added to the bill. For those staying abroad, where tipping customs may not be as clear-cut, do your homework, says Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute in Waterbury, Vermont. “Take the time to look up standards for the area,” she advises.

Tipping is common in Canada, similar to the U.S. It is also customary in the Caribbean, the Middle East, Mexico, and parts of Europe and South America; however, the standard tip amount in these regions is generally less than in the U.S. In places like the U.K., Australia, and much of Asia, the tipping culture is not as prevalent.

At top-tier hotels like the Ritz-Carlton, guests should anticipate an additional gratuity on top of a service charge, according to Danziger, who notes that such fees are rarely omitted from bills. If you’re unsure whether your hotel includes a service charge, just ask.

If you’re paying with a card, Betty Jo Currie, founder of Currie & Co. Travels Unlimited in Atlanta, suggests checking if the tip is included. If you’re not using a card, you might consider leaving a small cash tip. “I generally leave $5 or so,” she says, emphasizing how little these workers are compensated. Just because there’s a service charge and gratuity doesn’t mean the person who brought your food will receive it.

“Ask whether the person is receiving tips from the actual bill,” Danziger recommends.

How Much to Tip for Room Service

Danziger finds that applying the same mentality she uses when dining at American restaurants is helpful. “As Americans, usually we’re trained to double the tax or pay 18% or 20% on top,” she explains. Assuming the food came from the hotel, it should be fine to follow the same guideline for room service. If it didn’t originate from the hotel, you might opt to pretend it did, Danziger suggests.

The latest “Gratuity Guide” from the American Hotel and Lodging Association, published in 2014, confirms that 15% to 20% is standard in the U.S. when a room service charge hasn’t already been included in the bill. In regions where tipping is expected but the customary amounts are lower, you might tip between 5% to 15%; therefore, it’s crucial to conduct your research ahead of time.

This standard applies to full-service chains and boutique hotels alike. “Logically, one would think motels would provide less service and thus require less in terms of tips,” Currie says, but this is not necessarily accurate.

While Post emphasizes that tipping is a personal choice, she cautions against basing your tip on the type of establishment you’re staying in. “You want to ensure workers feel valued for their efforts,” she remarks. “If it’s not as high class, don’t reduce your tip because of that.”

Currie agrees, stating, “If the service is good, my amount wouldn’t change — and I encourage others to think the same way.”

How Much to Tip for Other Hotel Services

The standard tipping amount for hotel bartenders and waitstaff mirrors the rule of thumb for room service: 15% to 20%, contingent on your satisfaction with the service. The AHLA recommends tipping courtesy shuttle drivers and door staff $1 to $2 per person. It also suggests tipping housekeeping and bell staff between $1 to $5, explaining that these workers should be tipped each time their services are utilized. For parking attendants, tip the same amount, but only upon retrieving your vehicle.

Tip the concierge $5 to $10, “depending on how involved the service,” according to the AHLA, and for “delivery of special items,” the standard is $2 for a single item and $1 for each additional item.