Marriott's Envelope Please program urges hotel guests to tip housekeepers

Marriott hotels are urging guests to leave tips for housekeepers in envelopes provided in their rooms.

Marriott International is the first hotel chain to join The Envelope Please program to help hospitality staffearn extra bucks.

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"Room attendants arguably do the least glamorous job. And, because we dont see them, theres very much an out-of-sight, out-of-mind attitude to gratuity," etiquette expertKaren Cleveland, who blogs at Manners are Sexy, told CBC News."So we should absolutely be tipping them."

More than 160,000 Marriott hotel rooms across Canada and the U.S. includespecial envelopes to encourage travellers to leave tips and thank-you notes for housekeeping staff.

The program is the brainchild of MariaShriver'sfoundation, A Woman's Nation,created as a response to under-appreciated housekeeping staff who are often overlooked for tips because they have little contact with guests, according to the foundation's site.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association supports the foundation's work. It suggests guests tip between $1 and $5 US per night.

Cleveland seemsto agree with the suggestion, saying anyone staying in a ritzy hotel shouldspring for a toonie or so every morning.

Hotel customers interviewed by CBC News were asked if they already tiphousekeepers and their thoughts on the tipping service.

Not everyone said they felt comfortable with the idea of being prompted to leave gratuities.

"I think it's down to the individual to sort of make that choice," said a tourist from the U.K. staying in a Toronto-area hotel. "I don't think it should be imposed."

He said he generally tips housekeepers if he's happy with their work.