Inexperienced travellers oftentimes are not sure as to what is expected of them when it comes to tipping hotel staff or even if they should tip them at all. If you are such a one, you should know that tipping the hotel staff for every service rendered to you is a necessary thing. Hotel personnel are paid only minimum wages and they consider tips as part of their salaries.

It is not only that. If you are consistent, and even generous, with your tips, you are assuring yourself that you will be getting the best service possible from the people serving you at the hotel instead of having to deal with disgruntled hotel personnel. Word always gets around amongst the hotel staff, and you would not want your stay at the hotel hampered by mediocre services provided by irritated service people.

So, how should you go about tipping hotel staff? Here are a few general guidelines.

1. Always keep small bills about your person all the time. It is always embarrassing to be rendered some form of service, only to find out that you only have large notes on you. You can always request for change from the front desk if you have to.

2. If you felt that the hotel staff failed to understand a request, it is better to fall back on the idea that it could have been an issue of language – they did not understand what you were telling them. Let not the language barrier be the cause of you withholding your tip.

3. Make it a point to tip the housekeeper who cleans your room on a day-to-day basis. Housekeepers change shifts. If you save your tips to the housekeeper to give it to them at the end of your stay, you may end up overlooking some people.

Now, how much should you tip? Here are a few rules of thumb when it comes to tipping the right amounts.

• 10% to 15% of the total bill for services charged separately from your hotel bill, such as a meal at the hotel’s restaurant, room service delivery, hairdressing

• £2 to £5 for the housekeepers, depending on how dirty your room was when they cleaned it

• £1 or £2 for the porters for every bag they carry for you; more if your bags were particularly heavy

• £1 or £2 for the valet every time he parks your car; more if the weather is bad

• £1 for the coat check for every coat you have checked

• £1 or £2 for the doorman whenever he hails you a cab; more if the weather is bad

• £5 to £25 for the concierge for any tasks he or she performs for you, depending on the task

• £5 to £25 for your personal attendant at the hotel’s spa