Tipping your host in the UK?
October 19, 2019 4:09 AM Subscribe
if you’re staying at an Airbnb in the UK (with some cleaning services included), how much should we tip our hosts?
We’re staying at an Airbnb (for lack of a better term) in the UK. There have been some cleaning services including some laundry, providing clean towels, and cleaning out room. We’re just wondering what the tipping protocol would be here.
We’re staying at an Airbnb (for lack of a better term) in the UK. There have been some cleaning services including some laundry, providing clean towels, and cleaning out room. We’re just wondering what the tipping protocol would be here.
I don't know anyone that would tip cash for this here in the UK, I'm confident it does happen but it won't be expected. If you're staying in the host's actual home then my wife and I would give a "gift for the house" such as some flowers or a scented candle when leaving. Just a small token rather than something of any great monetary value. But I would say nothing is going to be expected and you're not going to cause offence either way.
posted by samworm at 4:20 AM on October 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by samworm at 4:20 AM on October 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
I agree, we wouldn't tip for this in the UK. You've already paid a cleaning/service fee as part of the airbnb booking (or similar service).
posted by chrispy108 at 4:45 AM on October 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by chrispy108 at 4:45 AM on October 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
I wouldn’t tip on these services at an Airbnb anywhere in the world. Only in hotels in the US, at a hotel, I would leave $1 on the stand or pillow for each night I stayed, or $5, whichever is more. I don’t expect hotel service at an Airbnb.
posted by pazazygeek at 5:10 AM on October 19, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by pazazygeek at 5:10 AM on October 19, 2019 [6 favorites]
Why would you tip at an AirBnB? The owners are renting you the place, not employees.
posted by kawelch at 5:10 AM on October 19, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by kawelch at 5:10 AM on October 19, 2019 [9 favorites]
Best answer: If you want to do something nice for the owners, make sure that when you leave you strip the bedding, assemble used towels, empty bins, follow all the leaving instructions and be out on time. Source: my daughter cleans an Airbnb, and the difference this makes is huge (and often doesn’t happen)
posted by JJZByBffqU at 5:48 AM on October 19, 2019 [16 favorites]
posted by JJZByBffqU at 5:48 AM on October 19, 2019 [16 favorites]
Tipping is a practice for employees who have no control over their pay. Tipping is not done when the payment is going to "the boss" -- or the person who sets the prices. So, indeed, nowhere in the world should you be tipping at an AirBnB or Bed and Breakfast. If the price is not sufficient to sustain the person then they need to increase the price.
Or, as one restaurant owner once told me, "Never tip a restaurant owner."
posted by dobbs at 6:15 AM on October 19, 2019 [7 favorites]
Or, as one restaurant owner once told me, "Never tip a restaurant owner."
posted by dobbs at 6:15 AM on October 19, 2019 [7 favorites]
I've stayed in dozens of Air BnBs, mostly in the US, and with various different groups and under various different airBnB users: there is no tipping. It might be nice to leave a gift if you've had a room in someone's house, but as others have mentioned doing the right checkout things and leaving a nice review is the most helpful thing you can do.
posted by oneirodynia at 4:04 PM on October 19, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by oneirodynia at 4:04 PM on October 19, 2019 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
We don’t tip for things like this in the UK. If you want to do something nice for your hosts then leave them a wordily positive review.
posted by pharm at 4:14 AM on October 19, 2019 [16 favorites]