What is the proper tip for someone helping you at a hotel?

I made reservations for a weekend away and emailed the hotel to ask for tips on places to go for entertainment and restaurants. It is for a birthday. The guy that has been helping me has been great - he has emailed back and forth with me several times, made recommendations including websites so I can check it out myself, and is arranging reservations and getting us on the list for a club.

What is the appropriate tip to give him for all of his help when I get to the hotel?

slip him a 20

He sounds like the concierge. This is usually a service provided by the hotel. There is no customary tip. 10-20 as a tip is a nice gesture but up to you if you want to tip at all.

I would say the minimum would be $25, but $50 would be more appropriate.

Well you don't really tip the receptionist, but if you really want to reward him, write the hotel owner a personal letter of commendation about the person and mention him by name. That letter will go into his work record and could be the difference needed to get him promoted in the future, or even get a pay raise.

That is MUCH better than a tip.

Also, don't forget, there are indeed still people (though precious few anymore) who would see a tip as an insult. Some people simply do an excellent job from pride, which this person sounds like it, and are not pleased when customers assume they're only doing a good job because they are secretly begging for money. So avoid the tip.

Punch him in the face!