Tipping in hotels in Germany

Question

When staying in a hotel in Germany (Bavaria), what are the customs concerning tipping hotel staff, in particular chambermaids?

• Is tipping expected, and if yes, how much?
• What is a reasonable amount for a long term stay?
• Is it better to tip daily, weekly, or just once?
• How to tip (to avoid an unintentional insult etc.)?

Answer 1

In Germany, service costs are always (§ 107, 3.) included in the compensation. But it’s common to give a tip if you are happy with the service (but you are never required to). If you are unhappy with the service, you should give no tip at all (instead of a very low tip).

I found the following recommendations (sources are in German):

knigge.de, Der Trinkgeld-Knigge (here and here also): for upscale hotels:

• room service: 2-5 € per delivery
• luggage carrier: 2 € per item
• concierge (for special services, e.g., organizing tickets for a sold out event): 10 €

spiegel.de, Trinkgeld-Knigge: Man sollte, aber muss nicht:

• how much to tip depends on how long you stay, hotel price range, and of course how much money you have
• it’s uncommon to round up the hotel bill at checkout
• always tip the luggage carrier and the room attendant
• you may leave the tip in your room (e.g., in the ashtray or on the nightstand); to make clear that it’s a tip (and that you didn’t forget your money there), you may leave a thank you note
• to make sure that the whole service staff gets a tip, you can give a summed up tip at the reception before checkout

experto.de, Rainer Wälde: Trinkgeld geben - aber mit Stil:

• valet parking: 1-3 €
• porter (for calling a taxi; for helping to get into the taxi): 1 €
• luggage carrier (often also the porter): 1 € per heavy item
• if you pay a restaurant/bar bill at the checkout, don’t forget to add a tip: 5-10%
• concierge (for special services, e.g., organizing tickets/presents): 1-3 €
• houskeeper: before checkout, leave a tip in the bathroom or at the nightstand
• houskeeper (for bringing additonal pillows, cosmetics, a vase, etc.): 1 €

berlin.de, Trinkgeld: tips for hotels in Berlin:

• luggage carrier: 1-2 € per item
• housekeeping: 2-3 € per day
• concierge (for special services): 5-10 €

faz.de, Das „Danke“ gehört dazu :

• luggage carrier: 1 € per heavy item
• in general, you should say "thank you" when giving a tip (so don’t leave it on the table in the restaurant; don’t hand it over wordlessly); only for the housekeeping team it’s okay to leave it in your room (e.g., on the table or on the bed)
• tip valet parking service, porter, concierge/reception and housekeeping separately

test.de, So geben Sie im Urlaub richtig Trinkgeld

• luggage carrier: 1 € per item
• housekeeping: 1-2 € per day (leave it on the nightstand)

Answer 2

You should, but you don't have to. Tipping is a reward for good service.

Answer 3

I think tipping for normal paid work is a bad habit to support and is not expected or traditional in Germany. I never leave tips other than (generously) rounding off. And none to housekeepers etc

Answer 4

I've tipped once when I was on vacation, but not for any of the around 600 nights on business trips in hotels in Germany so far (I work at a consulting company). I wouldn't even have thought of it and even if, it would have eaten into our own compensation quite a bit. I'm 99% sure my colleagues haven't either.

Answer 5

Tipping in Germany (whototip.net):

Tipping etiquette for hotels in Germany

Tip good service at hotels.

In Germany tipping is expected in hotels. If you receive good service you should tip your porter 1-3 Euros per bag and your housekeeper 3-5 Euros per night (you can leave the tip on the bed or nightstand). If your concierge provides good service, you can tip up to 10-20 Euros.

Hope this helps