How to Tip Hotel Cleaning Staff

Tipping can be a confusing scenario, especially if the situation isn’t cut and dry. In some countries, tipping just isn’t customary, even at restaurants. In the United States, while tipping 15 to 20 percent is considered common for restaurant service, it’s unclear whether that extends to other situations like hotel cleaning staff.

The answer is just as complex as the question. The country you’re visiting will determine tipping etiquette across the board, so it’s best to research various situations before you leave town.

In the United States, it’s a nice gesture to leave a few dollars a day for the staff cleaning your room. A best practice is to leave the bills in your room rather than with the front desk, as those staff members may be inclined to keep the tip rather than pass it on. And you don’t need to feel compelled to tip more if you’re staying at a high-end place; a hotel room is a hotel room, and all are cleaned with equal rigor — or at least they should be, says etiquette expert Lizzie Post.

No matter where you are, kindness and warmth go a long way too — and thank you notes are always a nice gesture.