Should you tip hotel housekeeping and staff at all-inclusive resorts in Sharm El Sheikh?

From messages by 3 participants in 2 sources · Last activity: 53 days ago

TL;DR

Yes, tipping housekeeping and waitstaff is customary and expected in Sharm El Sheikh, though not strictly mandatory — a few Egyptian pounds or the equivalent of 'beer money' is typical. Some hotel chains (like Rixos) pool all tips together and split them equally among staff.

What the community said

Room cleaners typically don't get personal tea/water service from guests — that kind of treatment usually goes to staff maintaining common areas, not individual room housekeepers.

Not all hotels with a reputation for great tip-based service live up to it — some travelers returning from Rixos hotels in Sharm El Sheikh reported disappointment with the service despite the chain's reputation.

Rixos hotel chain

Tips generally go into a shared pool among all staff — this is standard practice almost everywhere, regardless of who personally receives the money.

Tips are considered a bonus on top of salary — staff are expected to provide good service regardless. In higher-end hotels (like Rixos), the service is reportedly excellent even without tipping.

Rixos hotel chain

One hotel had a system travelers liked: glass jars for tips placed in restaurants, with all money pooled and split among staff — ensuring every guest gets equally good service.