Tipping your host

Do you leave a tip for the innkeepers? If yes, what's a proper amount?
This one is tough for me because I'm never sure what to leave. What's too much, too little?
Do you leave it because they cleaned the room? (They didn't go out of their way for us, just standard innkeeper stuff.)

I wouldn't tip the innkeepers. You paid them already. Tips are for employees.

Start with $5. How helpful were they? Did they go above and beyond? Did they treat you special? If the service was beyond what I was expecting for the price, I tip more. But $5 is always a good start.

Generic said:

Start with $5. How helpful were they? Did they go above and beyond? Did they treat you special? If the service was beyond what I was expecting for the price, I tip more. But $5 is always a good start..

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Nope. From what I saw everyone was treated the same. No specialty items for us.

TheBeachHouse said:

I wouldn't tip the innkeepers. You paid them already. Tips are for employees..

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Ditto the don't-tip--the-innkeepers. If you liked them and want to leave a small gift I think that would be a nice gesture. But if you only stay a night or two and really did not connect with them, why bother?

My rule is $5 per night for a clean bathroom and bed. Surprise me $10 per night.... Make me feel special..... But that is me. Employee or Innkeeper? Whoever did the work, gets the money. The American Sail Team always give the tips straight to the manager.

I never have tipped an innkeeper, but we have bought a few gifts for some.

I have never "tipped" a host BUT many innkeepers have generously hosted me for Thank You. Unless it is someone I KNOW as a friend, meaning I believe it would insult, I leave $20 behind to at least cover breakfast and laundry expenses.
This is what we did in my Association when we traveled for Board meetings. The inn where we met would host those who traveled a distance - WV is small but it can take an hour to drive 30 miles and some would be traveling over 100 miles. A lunch would be provided and we all put money in a basket to cover costs and leave money in the room to cover expenses of breakfast & laundry.
IF I know they have staff, I leave a tip for the housekeeper ($5) and bring a gift to the innkeeper (which I try to do regardless - yes, my boring coffees.

gillumhouse said:

I have never "tipped" a host BUT many innkeepers have generously hosted me for Thank You. Unless it is someone I KNOW as a friend, meaning I believe it would insult, I leave $20 behind to at least cover breakfast and laundry expenses.
This is what we did in my Association when we traveled for Board meetings. The inn where we met would host those who traveled a distance - WV is small but it can take an hour to drive 30 miles and some would be traveling over 100 miles. A lunch would be provided and we all put money in a basket to cover costs and leave money in the room to cover expenses of breakfast & laundry.
IF I know they have staff, I leave a tip for the housekeeper ($5) and bring a gift to the innkeeper (which I try to do regardless - yes, my boring coffees..

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....because you are just so gracious and thoughtful K

Morticia said:

Generic said:

Start with $5. How helpful were they? Did they go above and beyond? Did they treat you special? If the service was beyond what I was expecting for the price, I tip more. But $5 is always a good start..

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Nope. From what I saw everyone was treated the same. No specialty items for us.
.

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Not special to you, but made you feel special, did something you weren't expecting. Otherwise stick with the $5.

Generic said:

Morticia said:

Generic said:

Start with $5. How helpful were they? Did they go above and beyond? Did they treat you special? If the service was beyond what I was expecting for the price, I tip more. But $5 is always a good start..

Click to expand...

Nope. From what I saw everyone was treated the same. No specialty items for us.
.

Click to expand...

Not special to you, but made you feel special, did something you weren't expecting. Otherwise stick with the $5.
.

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Generic said:

Not special to you, but made you feel special, did something you weren't expecting. Otherwise stick with the $5.

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Nope nothing like that either. And I probably added insult to injury when I emailed a complaint that I didn't want to mention in front of the other guests.

2cat_lady said:

gillumhouse said:

I have never "tipped" a host BUT many innkeepers have generously hosted me for Thank You. Unless it is someone I KNOW as a friend, meaning I believe it would insult, I leave $20 behind to at least cover breakfast and laundry expenses.
This is what we did in my Association when we traveled for Board meetings. The inn where we met would host those who traveled a distance - WV is small but it can take an hour to drive 30 miles and some would be traveling over 100 miles. A lunch would be provided and we all put money in a basket to cover costs and leave money in the room to cover expenses of breakfast & laundry.
IF I know they have staff, I leave a tip for the housekeeper ($5) and bring a gift to the innkeeper (which I try to do regardless - yes, my boring coffees..

Click to expand...

....because you are just so gracious and thoughtful K

.

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Na, I just learned from my parents that you treat people the way YOU would like to be treated. IF they treat me otherwise, it is THEIR problem, not mine. I can look at myself in the mirror - usually. (That does not mean I am not mentally moving some to the resolver of issues - the local funeral homes.)

Morticia said:

Generic said:

Morticia said:

Generic said:

Start with $5. How helpful were they? Did they go above and beyond? Did they treat you special? If the service was beyond what I was expecting for the price, I tip more. But $5 is always a good start..

Click to expand...

Nope. From what I saw everyone was treated the same. No specialty items for us.
.

Click to expand...

Not special to you, but made you feel special, did something you weren't expecting. Otherwise stick with the $5.
.

Click to expand...

Generic said:

Not special to you, but made you feel special, did something you weren't expecting. Otherwise stick with the $5.

Click to expand...

Nope nothing like that either. And I probably added insult to injury when I emailed a complaint that I didn't want to mention in front of the other guests.
.

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Assuming that they do the housekeeping as well. If they don't, nothing is needed. If they do the housekeeping, then a $2 a day. If it's not special, there is nothing to tip for.
Basically my rules is that housekeepers get a few bucks a day if the housekeeping was good, more if the housekeeping was exceptional or they went beyond the call of duty (like putting luggage out of it's way, folding things that were on the floor, etc.) I will leave something for owners if what they provided was of value beyond what I paid for the room. So, if they particularly helpful, generous, went out of their way service wise.
But if the end result is that the room and breakfast were appropriately priced for their location and service was appropriate, then nothing additional other than a few bucks for the housekeeping.
I know you say that you don't often get tipped... but I can tell you that our tip envelopes usually hold a few dollars in them. And every once in a while... a substantial amount.

I usually do something special for the innkeepers as I know how hard they work. I often also make some kind of connection with them so like to do something. I have found that the majority of innkeepers are exceedingly kind to me.
I usually carry some kind of cards/note cards with me and will address one to them and put a tip in there with a special note to them. If I'm there a few nights, I leave at least $20. Or, I also have left small gifts or a gift card (like to Starbucks...I mean, let's be honest, how often do innkeepers get to pop out for a cuppa or other treat?) I remember how special it was to me when a guest would do something considerate for me.
I haven't really encountered a horrible stay, so don't know exactly what I'd do!

Same as a hotel, except you should consider the hats they wear.
Since we do offer dinner and it is an inclusive price for our services as well as the meal, some guests do ask us to add something on, often at the end of their stay, for what they felt was a personal service well done that was not included in their room rate. We accept tips with gratitude.