When you stay in a hotel, it's generally accepted that you should tip your housekeeper to show your gratitude for the cleanliness of the room. A tip of $2 to $5 is the suggested norm, and you can leave this money in your room before checking out or, in the event of a stay that lasts several days, you can tip daily. In some cases, you may wish to consider tipping more generously. A spotless room and friendly interactions with the housekeeper can warrant this behavior, but a number of other factors can also prompt you to give beyond the suggested amount. Here are some scenarios.

Traveling With A Baby

If you're visiting a hotel with a baby, you may wish to tip your housekeeper a little more generously due to the garbage that you'll be leaving behind in the room. Even though you won't be leaving the room messy, the bathroom's garbage may contain several diapers and sanitary wipes, for example. Tipping a little extra is a way to acknowledge that you appreciate your housekeeper having to remove these less-than-desirable items for you.

Eating In Your Room

Many travelers favor picking up food and enjoying it in the comfort of their hotel room, rather than dining at a restaurant. If you take this approach — and especially if you do so several times over the course of your stay — tipping extra can be appropriate. By the time you check out, your room may contain food containers such as empty pizza boxes, empty bottles, food wrappers, and other waste. This can especially be the case if you're traveling with friends and they've joined you in your room for some meals. Even though you'll have placed these items in your garbage cans, the presence of these items requires your housekeeper to spend more time tidying your room.

Making A Mess

Sometimes, even against your best intentions, you'll make a mess in your hotel room. For example, you might mistakenly allow the shower to spray water on the floor, or you may spill some food or have a carbonated drink bubble over and land on the carpet. In these scenarios, you'll likely feel badly — and the best way to feel better is to give a larger tip. Doing so is a silent way to "tell" the housekeeper that you realize your room is messy, and that you appreciate that she is cleaning it up for you.