Despite what the hotel bartender tells you, tipping is not mandatory. He may also say your room maid (actually his girlfriend) is a grossly underpaid single mother with eight children, and cares for her wheelchair-bound senile parents.

A tip ... the cliché original meaning is To Insure Promptness ... should be based on good service. Is the room clean and neat? Do you have adequate towels? If you're staying more than one night, is the room made up promptly in the morning? If you have kids with you, has the maid taken extra steps to make them comfy?

We suggest you leave $5 for each night. If a maid has been particularly efficient, such as extra towels, a bunch of flowers and/or candy on the pillows in the evening, add several more dollars a night.