Ordering room service feels like a luxury—having a hot meal delivered straight to your hotel room. But when the bill arrives, the tipping question comes up: How much should you tip room service? Since hotels handle gratuities differently, here’s a clear breakdown of when and how much to tip.
Standard Tipping Etiquette for Room Service
The general rule for tipping room service depends on whether a service charge is already included in your bill.
1. If a Service Charge Is Included
Many hotels automatically add a 15% to 20% service charge to the bill. If you see this, you’re not required to tip extra—but leaving an additional $2 to $5 is a nice gesture for good service.
2. If No Service Charge Is Included
If the bill doesn’t include a service charge, tip 15% to 20% of the total cost.
💡 Quick Guide for Common Room Service Bills
- $20 meal → Tip $3 to $4
- $50 meal → Tip $7 to $10
- $100 meal → Tip $15 to $20
3. If You Paid with Rewards Points or a Free Meal Credit
Even if the meal is complimentary, you should still tip based on what the meal would have cost before discounts.
Factors That Affect Your Tip
1. Type of Hotel
- Luxury hotels & resorts → Higher-end hotels expect 20% or more.
- Budget hotels → 15% is usually fine.
2. Quality of Service
Did the staff:
✔️ Deliver your order quickly?
✔️ Set up the table or meal presentation?
✔️ Provide extra service (like bringing additional condiments, drinks, or utensils)?
If the service was exceptional, rounding up or tipping $5+ extra is a nice way to show appreciation.
3. Time of Delivery
- Late-night orders → Consider tipping extra since fewer staff members are working.
- Large or complicated orders → If you ordered for a group, tip on the higher end.
When You Might Tip Less (or Not at All)
- If a mandatory gratuity is already included, an extra tip is optional.
- If the service was poor (late delivery, missing items, unfriendly attitude), you can tip less—but consider mentioning the issue to hotel management.
Best Ways to Tip Room Service
- Cash – Handing a tip directly to the server is best.
- Credit Card – Some hotels allow you to add a tip when signing the bill.
- Room Charge – If you’re billing to the room, ask if you can add a tip.
Final Thoughts
For room service, tip 15% to 20% unless a service charge is already included—in that case, $2 to $5 extra is a nice touch. If you love the convenience of room service, tipping well ensures great service throughout your stay.
🍽️ Want a flawless hotel dining experience? Be kind, tip generously, and enjoy your meal!