Being from Europe, the tipping culture is “enough” – as a reward for good service, and not expected (in which case, it’s what I call a service charge. But that’s by the by).
Marriott International has teamed up A Woman’s Nation, a non-profit organization founded by journalist and former California first lady Maria Shriver to deliver a programme called “The Envelope Please”
The envelopes will be in over 160,000 Marriott rooms in the USA and Canada, spreading across the Marriott brands.
Maria Shriver, founder of A Woman’s Nation states
“The Envelope Please was born from having conversations with women I’ve met who have taken care of my room during hotel stays. Their stories of hard work and perseverance inspired and informed me. They told me that room attendants, who are often the primary breadwinner for their families, are often forgotten when it comes to tipping, unlike other front-of-house employees, since most travelers don’t see them face-to-face. I hope this gratitude initiative will make these women feel seen and validated”
Interestingly, it is suggested by The American Hotel and Lodging Association suggests that hotel guests leave $1 to $5 per night, dependant on the type of hotel, and tipping daily rather than at checkout.
Handily, The American Hotel and Lodging Association had produced a gratuity guide of how much you should tip.
Personal Opinion
Now, I freely admit I don’t tip in hotels much. Some may call it mean – but I’ve paid for a service and a room. As such, I expect what I pay for. If there was an action that went beyond the call of duty, then I’d have no issue with tipping (such as extra amenities, some special service, etc).
But for making up the room each day from a semi tidy state, ensuring the bathroom was stocked and room to keep up to specification? Sorry. Not worth a tip in my book.
This to me stinks of Marriott not paying their staff a living wage, and asking customers to “top up” their wage packet instead.
And that annoys me like hell.
Least of all, the cost of printing these envelopes, placing them in rooms, replenishing them could actually go towards a rise.
Sorry Marriott International. The heart is in the right place, but if you pay your staff a living wage in the first place, this campaign wouldn’t be needed at all.
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I could not agree with you more. I was afraid I was the only one thinking like this.
It is truly annoying that they would expect you to tip somebody just for doing their job.
It’s like someone told me: here 10 euro because you got the debit and credit right. WTF, I’m an accountant, I’m supposed to do that.
I don’t tip hotel housekeeping out of goodness of my heart.
I tip housekeeping to make sure that is the only thing that is gone from my room when I return and everything else that is mine remains there.
But also, the “I only tip when there’s exceptional service” argument does not work. What I know of people is that when they aren’t in the habit of tipping in the first place, you will unconsciously continue to raise the bar so that nothing will ever impress you as exceptional service.
You should instead instigate a social movement to abolish tipping (like with no-tipping restaurants) if you want to take a meaningful stance.
I believe it’s called living in Japan, where a tip is actually rather offensive.
All you people make me sick! I always tip housekeeping where ever I travel as typically they
are the least paid in the hotel. They also work the hardest. As Left Handed Passenger said,
Europeans will always find a reason not to tip. I fully support this Marriott initiave.
I noticed workers protesting last week in Denver. Marriott not paying them well. Of course that’s what I assume since none of the 3 workers/protestors spoke English well enough to explain their situation. I guess Mariott wants us to pay their help on top of the room rate…sortta like a cruise ship…
Why America still has a tip system is beyond me, so is the whole inches and foot crap. And then there’s the 32 waist jeans that would fit someone who’s 36 waist comfortably. There’s a lot of thing I don’t understand stand about America, but I still can’t stay away.
Completely agree with you. I hope Marriott add a statement on their booking page to the effect of “we do not pay our housekeeping staff enough and we will pressure you in to topping up their wage”.