How to Be a Great Hotel Guest, According to Housekeepers

Hotel stays are designed to feel effortless, from fresh sheets and fluffy towels to stocked minibars—all of this is thanks to housekeeping teams who work behind the scenes to create an experience that hopefully makes you feel at home while on the road.

If you’ve ever wondered what the etiquette for tipping is, or whether housekeeping actually prefers you to leave your towels in one area, you’re in the right place. We interviewed three housekeeping professionals to find out what they wish every traveler knew. 

Hang up damp swimsuits and beach towels.

At Twinpalms Surin Beach Phuket, a resort known for its water gardens and signature scent, the housekeeping team appreciates the simple gesture of hanging up damp items.

“One of the most appreciated gestures is when guests gather their beachwear or damp towels and hang them on the provided facilities in the bathroom, balcony, or garden,” says housekeeping supervisor Ploypailin Funnimit, who explains that it prevents humidity from spreading and helps make turndown services quicker.

Don’t leave surfaces cluttered throughout your stay.

At The Curtis in Denver, the self-described “Gleam Team” says they appreciate it when guests keep personal items off the vanity or desk so it’s easier to sanitize and restock. 

Mia Pirrello, the housekeeping manager at The Harpeth Hotel in Franklin, Tennessee, agrees. “To assist our team in cleaning more efficiently, the guests could gather any used cups, empty bottles, or other waste and place them in the trash bin or neatly by the door,” she adds. This helps minimize clutter and ensures a more thorough refresh of the room.

Many travelers know to leave used towels in a pile on the bathroom floor or in the tub, and the Curtis team confirms that’s the universal “ready to wash” signal. Pirrello echoes that sentiment, saying guests can help staff by placing used linens in a single area (rather than around the room) to help them easily identify which need to be replaced.

Communicate your schedule.

Rooms are cleaned on a specific schedule, especially at larger or high-end properties. “Guests often don’t realize that rooms are cleaned in a carefully timed sequence,” Funnimit says. “If you know you’ll need privacy, simply let us know your preferred time—it allows the team to plan efficiently and still ensure you receive a perfectly presented room.” 

Whether you’re heading out early or working from your laptop all morning, a quick note to housekeeping or the front desk helps the team plan their rounds and ensures your room gets attention exactly when you want it. Alternatively, you can use your Do Not Disturb door tag—but don’t forget to switch it back when you’re ready for your room to be serviced.

Leave a little note of appreciation for your housekeeper.

A quick thank-you note means more than you think. “Our team loves it when guests leave a short thank-you note or a kind word on the bedside table pad—it’s incredibly motivating,” says Funnimit. “In luxury hospitality, genuine appreciation goes a long way.”

Some hotels, like The Curtis, encourage playful exchanges. “If you leave a fun note, doodle, or candy wrapper joke, odds are our attendants will leave one back. We believe in keeping play alive, even in daily service,” the team says.

Tip daily for good service.

Tipping is another way to show your appreciation. “Even a couple of dollars a day, especially left daily, makes a huge difference and means a lot to the people behind your spotless room,” says The Curtis team.

While customs vary by destination, a good rule of thumb is $3 to $5 per night for standard hotels and $5 to $10 for luxury stays. Leaving it each morning in an envelope marked “housekeeping” helps ensure that it reaches the right person, since staff assignments can rotate. It’s an easy way to acknowledge the physically demanding work that goes into making your stay comfortable.