Tipping in Hotels?

I know it isn't the done thing to tip at restaurants in the UK. Because of that, I never tipped the housekeeper when we stayed in hotels while living in the UK. Just never thought of it, I suppose. When we stay in hotels in the States, we always tip the housekeeper.

We're off for our holiday to the UK in just over two weeks. We will be staying 5 nights in London and one night in Manchester while we are there. I have been wondering, though, should we tip the housekeeper? I hate to seem rude by not leaving one, but don't want to cause confusion if it isn't done.

I've never tipped housekeeping in hotels. But I do tip ~10-15% in restaurants (unless they include a service charge).

We never tip in hotels.  DH will usually tip 10% in restaurants.  I still tip the hairdresser but they always seem surprised!

Thanks for the info. I didn't want to seem rude, but since it isn't done, I won't. I'd always been told tipping in restaurants wasn't the done thing, but maybe I have talked to the wrong people. It always felt odd to me to not tip. Suppose I can change that on this trip.

Tipping is generally done in restaurants where you have waiter service - 10% is the norm, just check that the bill does not state that service is included.
Hotels I only tip if I have my bags carried to my room otherwise I don't tip.

I know it isn't mandatory to tip your housekeeper at a hotel, but here it is seen as a nice gesture to let her know she and her efforts are appreciated.

I didn't know tipping was done in restaurants there. Everyone I'd talked to said it isn't the done thing. Maybe they are all just cheap? 

I know it isn't mandatory to tip your housekeeper at a hotel, but here it is seen as a nice gesture to let her know she and her efforts are appreciated.

I didn't know tipping was done in restaurants there. Everyone I'd talked to said it isn't the done thing. Maybe they are all just cheap? 

Most restaurants have service -tip- included.  That's why people don't tip.

I usually tip in sit-down restaurants in the UK but I don't feel bad not tipping if the waiter/ess was awful.  I have never tipped in a hotel.

I will always tip in a restaurant unless they've already included a service charge, but I don't really tip anywhere else or for anything else (I'm UK born and raised).

Restaurants are generally about the only places that it's standard/expected for you to tip - everywhere else it's really at your discretion.


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Also UK born and raised and I always tip in restaurants unless (a) the service was dire or (b) a service charge is already included in the bill (it will say on the bill (and usually the menu as well up front) if this is the case).

I would not say that in my experience, and I've eaten in many places across the UK, that including a service charge automatically is the default. It's more common for large parties, and some restaurants do do it for all diners, but I would say its more usual for it not to be included and a tip left at the discretion of the diner.

As a PP said, 10% is usually the standard level if you are inclined to tip.I would agree with a PP that's about to only time that tipping is 'usual' in the UK. Well, that and cab drivers. It's by no means an absolute requirement however - the system is not the same as I understand it is in the US, where the tips are intended to make up the server's income to a living wage. Servers in the UK are not paid a lot, but restaurants (and other eating establishments!) are subject to the same minimum wage requirements as any other type of employer, so there's not the same onus on tipping.

Edited to Add - I wouldn't usually tip in a hotel unless, as a PP said, my bags were carried for me.

Interesting to hear the "It's not done" comment(s).

My husband is Scottish born and bred and has never lived in the US, but he ALWAYS tips the wait staff and housekeeping.  Being from the US, I only ever tipped housekeeping when I stayed in one place for longer than a couple of days and always in Las Vegas.

Interesting to hear the "It's not done" comment(s).

My husband is Scottish born and bred and has never lived in the US, but he ALWAYS tips the wait staff and housekeeping.  Being from the US, I only ever tipped housekeeping when I stayed in one place for longer than a couple of days and always in Las Vegas.

My partner is Scottish.... he buys drinks for barmen, tips waiters and waitresses, but not housekeeping staff.  However, when we stay in a hotel, he partially makes the bed, wipes up any water on the bathroom floor, rinses out the tea cups, and doesn't leave any rubbish in the bins... he packs it all into a poly bag and takes it away with us! I find that really odd, but he insists on doing it. 

Wish he was that tidy at home!

However, when we stay in a hotel, he partially makes the bed, wipes up any water on the bathroom floor, rinses out the tea cups, and doesn't leave any rubbish in the bins... he packs it all into a poly bag and takes it away with us! I find that really odd, but he insists on doing it.

WOW!!! Now that IS impressive. 

Actually, my DH is a bit like that as well.  He tidies the bed in hotels, rinses the tea cups, etc.  He will stack the dirty dishes and even wipe up the crumbs in a restaurant!  He'll fold up his napkin when he's done too -- although I point out that Amy Vanderbilt (or somebody) says to leave it crumbled at the side of the plate.  He's pretty neat at home too -- he'll compulsively rinse out a cooking pan before he'll sit down to eat.

I have always dried the tub/shower with a towel, rinsed the cups and coffee pot (since it is brewed coffee in the US, instead of a kettle), piled the dirty towels in one spot, and gathered all the trash into the bin and anything else I can think of. Since I have done hotel housekeeping, I started stripping the bed and pillows, and leaving the linens in a pile on the bed.