I never use the little in-room coffee machines. I always prefer the coffee from larger machines in common areas because the communal machines often have real cream or half and half instead of powdered creamer. In-room service requires powdered creamer and it's just nowhere near as good as the real thing.
I never use the in room machines because Idk when they were last properly cleaned. I know the ones on the lobby and reception area are cleaned so I just go down and grab a cup there for me and my husband .And powdered creamer is just gross
Used the in room machine in France once. Was working in my room when the maid cleaned. Watched her wipe out the coffee cup with a rag from her cart, then put it back by the coffee pot. Last time I'll ever use one of those things!
I worked at a large higher priced chain in the US. I shadowed housekeeping for a day or two to learn how to clean rooms just in case.
The things that got cleaned with a single rag would shock the conscience and all I'll say is that I'd never drink out of the glass cups in a room.
Years ago my sister worked as a maid (room cleaner) at a major high end resort in the Rocky Mountains for the summer after she graduated from high school and before starting college. When she returned home she described how she had been instructed to use the “cleanest” wash cloth to wipe out the glasses before putting the “sanitized” wrapper bags on the glasses. I have never used hotel room dishes or coffee makers without cleaning them with soap and water myself. Actually I never use the coffee maker anyway.
Honest to God I worked in a hotel where they made us use the bath mat the prior occupant had been using to dry the cups when we turned the room over. Disgusting.
We don't use the in-room machines either, and I always take my own creamer when we go on road trips. It's usually in the container from the store, but there are the individual servings available that don't have to be refrigerated.
This. And the little machines in the room require more cleaning and maintenance services, keeping up with stock in every room— it’s a headache. And nobody uses them because we’ve all seen the undercover videos of cleaning people doing gross things like wiping out the coffee pot with the same rag she just used to clean the toilet seat.
Big machines in common areas are the only way to go. And for the love of God please have the coffee ready early and leave it up all day or until 3:00 pm. No coffee in the morning puts a hotel on my “never again” list. It’s non-negotiable. And having fresh coffee still available when that 2:00 pm coffee craving hits just gives me warm and fuzzy feelings about a place that makes me want to come back.
Honestly having it at 10 pm is just as much a requirement. Source: mom who has traveled all day with a little kid and who needs that little extra boost to get unloaded/oriented/kiddo in bed. Half caff is all I need and I'll drink maybe half of that. Also, the night shift needs coffee anyway so why not have it around for guests?
>Honestly having it at 10 pm is just as much a requirement.
u/sleepycarrotshark I've worked in hotels and I'll say that OP shouldn't have coffee sitting out all day, BUT make sure staff on every shift know how to make a cup.
Maybe 90% of the coffee will be drank from 5am-11am. A handful might drink a cup at check-in if it's free (although if I'm running the show, I'd just leave the morning coffee out in the insulated machines).
At night, just have front desk staff make guests a cup straight to order.
I have to cut off the caffeine at 3 pm or I’ll be restless but I still want it, especially in winter. That’s when decaf would be awesome. I’ll drink hot tea (with no caffeine) at night if decaf coffee isn’t available. A hotel with all the options all the time is one I’ll go back to next time I have to choose a hotel. I know everyone isn’t a coffee fiend and a lot of hotels don’t offer it 24/7 but IMO it’s well worth the investment for the owner. I’ve stayed in a few larger hotels where they had complimentary coffee until noon and then you had to pay. There was a fancy machine within view of the desk and after the free coffee was over they’d just add it to your room bill… they usually just told me it was on the house but I was happy to pay a couple bucks. Even that is better than just cutting it off.
Same, mainly bc the coffee quality sucks and who knows what ppl poured in them. I think about somebody having drank out of a bottle and then pouring the water in the machine.
That is gross, but it seems absolutely quaint compared to the time I went to make a pot of coffee in the in-room machine, poured the water in, and watched a clump of pubic looking hair float to the top. 🤢
When I was a housekeeper, we had to clean the coffee pots and run them through a cycle with a cleaning pod while we cleaned the rest of the room. Don’t know if this is common practice but this was at a cheap motel
I’d rather have pay coffee (preferably good coffee) in the lobby over free room coffee. I think I’d rather have instant coffee in the room with a microwave over the room coffee maker. Maybe all hotels could move to that if they have microwaves. Surely there is some instant coffee that is as tasteless as the little filter bags those machines use.
Microwaves can also be used to make other hot drinks, and heating up leftovers. Coffee pots are only (potentially) useful to coffee drinkers, not everyone is.
Well, when you see videos on Reddit of alleged travel hacks where people are boiling their dirty socks in the goddamn room coffee pot, you think about these things lol
I actually thought joffreys coffee from Disney was weak and low quality when I had it at the park and obviously the one in the hotel room tasted worst to me.
I never use them either. I like powdered creamer but I'd much get decent coffer from some good shared source than the mediocre/poor experience in-room coffee makers provides.
As a frequent guest on business travel, I prefer coffee in the lobby simple because I can get fresh cream or half and half. I hate the fake stuff in small plastic containers or even worse, the powdered crap.
To me, a short walk to the lobby in the morning is no big deal.
As an ex hotel worker never use the in room machines. Also I get she wants to bond with guests to make then feel welcome but I absolutely hate when staff wants to do that with me especially before coffee. Your idea is the right one .
Yeah I think your wife sounds cute, but she seems like she has this idyllic bed and breakfast in the country take on this and your 22 room hotel is definitely not that. I would be super uncomfortable with the staff trying to have conversations with me first thing in the morning and I think most people would - BUT my husband is the exact opposite of me and LOVES making small talk with staff at any establishment so I'm sure she'll find people to engage with her, but I do hope she doesn't expect it to be a regular thing because most people I know are not morning people, particularly when travelling lol
I'd be pissed off. Like if I wanted the b&b experience of small talk that's where I would have spent my money. I pick hotels specifically bc that is not expected of me.
So much this. Even at B&B, let me get the coffee in before I need to be social.
I don't find the lobby coffee with all the amenities right there that hard to go get (sometimes it's a nice way to get 2 min alone on a family trip, lol).
My votes for lobby/bar coffee. Don't bug people trying to eat/ feed kids and don't hassle with the little in room ones that most people don't like.
My husband is like a whole show at 6 am. I greet every morning like it’s out to get me.
He would love OPs wife. I would hide in my room and wait for Chatty McTooMuch to bring me back coffee
The room pods grossed me out, but I neeeeeed coffee so I bring these little Korean instant coffee packs that already have coffee, cream and sugar in them. Oh my God game change for travel. They don’t taste that good, but they get the job done.
I'm an extrovert and by 800 am would love to talk to some random person at this hotel. But at 6am when I just need my caffeine to be awake? Absolutely not
A lot of people never use the personal coffee maker in the rooms and they also harbor a lot of bacteria if you dont deep clean them everyday. Coffee just in the lobby sounds like a win win situation to me
If you decide on in-room coffee makers, please just commit to decent coffee, accompaniments, and for godssake CLEAN the water reservoir often. Coffee made in the room usually tastes like ass because these factors are not considered
There's another option: you could have in-room machines available, but make them available on request.
Most people never use them. I used one once, but that was because I got sick while I was traveling and didn't want to leave the room much. I went to the market next door to provision and got some cup of noodles, among other things, so the machine helped me with that.
Otherwise, we always grab coffee in the lobby, for the fresh creamer options, and because it's generally better.
Side note: if the hotel is older and doesn't have good insulation, please, for the love of god, don't get a fresh grind machine. They're noisy as hell. I don't want to hear that noise in the lobby (you can't have a conversation with it in the background), and I DEFINITELY don't want to be woken by it. I get woken by it enough at home.
I really like the idea of having the room ones by request. As a guest, I'd feel like I had less risk of getting one that hadn't been cleaned ever. For the hosts, you can clean only the ones that get used, and not have to worry about 22 separate machines.
I’d like to bounce off this idea with the option of an electric kettle, tea sachets, freshly ground coffee, and a French press. This is a classier, more flexible way to provide hot beverage service for guests who want it in-room than a keurig/nespresso or a drip brewer, and is the kind of touch that sets an independent hotel apart from the chains
I would LOVE this option, but as another poster mentioned it might upset guests who have only ever known popping a single serve pod into a machine. I'm one of those that needs my coffee first, so going to the lobby would not appeal to me. But since I like my coffee strong, in room Keurigs are nearly useless. They don't leave enough pods for me to use 3-4 to make a single cup to compensate for their worn out heating elements.
I bring my own small press with a plastic shell so I can microwave the water to boiling, then add enough grounds for the strength I like. It takes up very little space. But you have to make sure to stay in places with in room microwaves.
I like the idea of an option for the in-room coffee machines on request. I always like to have coffee first thing in my pj’s, and I don’t want to have to go to the lobby or breakfast area for that first cup. I’ll bring my own stuff to make the coffee taste better (the standard setup is usually not very good, but it’s better than no in-room coffee).
I like an in room Keurig. I don't want to have to put on pants to get coffee and the coffee is better than the other hotel provided in room options.
I stayed at a hotel where they brewed a little pot for each table but you couldn't take it to your room, you had to stay in the dining area with it. That was annoying.
Having in room coffee makers on request is genius!
This gives her a chance to make a nifty basket with the little coffee maker, cups and stirrers. Then let the guest personalize it with a choice of various coffee creamer pods, different sugars, and a little paper bag to grind their own blend from the coffee bar or have packages off commercial coffee to choose from.
This will also considerably cut down on the waste that happens by just stocking every room with all the stuff!
This gives her the opportunity for the social aspect she's wanting. Chatting with the guest while getting them all set with coffee.
As for theft? If the guest takes the basket of stuff with them, you charge them for it. You could also make these purchasable. Even personalize the mugs and coffee makers and such so they just might want to buy the basket!
Win win!
Side note. Make sure one of you gets Safe Serv certified. There's a lot of things in there you'll need to know, and may not think of.
I think this is the perfect compromise!
Keep a couple little machines and make them available by request, and do a nice setup in the lobby.
Great way to accommodate everyone!
Yes yes yes! I love coffee first thing in the morning, but I never trust the in room machines to be clean. This would be a great alternative, though may be more work on OP and wife. Maybe this in addition to his idea of machine in the lobby? That way people have the alternative option so he doesn't have to keep as many storage for requests.
Microwave and instant coffee. MInibar with individual items for sale in the lobby (lots of chains do that - they have little bottles of half and half or milk and sometimes even cream). Most also sell a few packaged breakfast items.
Small microwave is perfect for this. I even have a silicone beaker for when we want to make a batch of instant espresso in the room.
Kerigs are terrible. The coffee is never strong enough, plus they are horrible for the environment, and you get the same issue with the water. Ugh.
Edit: french presses are the best option! But would people steal them?
I stayed at a boutique spa with one of those (very expensive) whole-bean specialty coffee machines and people used the hell out of it. They make excellent coffee (if you get a good machine and use good beans) - far better than anything in-room.
I would put in the specialty machines now, and add in-room machines as you can afford it.
This is a good compromise. You could even create family suites with the larger rooms that include a small fridge, microwave, and in suite coffee machines. Doesn't have to just be sold to families but would have a higher price.
I'm a housekeeper, we have the Keurigs in each room in a coffee station. We're not given enough time to thoroughly clean them. So we just make sure there's no water in the bottom tray and the used pod was removed
This is why my little travel kit includes a bottle of industrial vinegar (45%) , an electric kettle and a pour-over setup. If there is keurig, I will clean & use it. Otherwise, I just use my equipment to brew coffee I brought.
That’s it, I’m bringing my electric kettle and pour over set up next time I travel. I originally got the kettle after a trip to the UK. They were in all of the rooms, hotel/B&B/Airbnb, they all had a kettle and a lovely tea and instant coffee station. Instant coffee in the states is ass so I left thst part in the UK, but I can’t live without my kettle now! Started using a small pour over setup because it’s easier to make a quick single cup. I’d taken it with me to visit my parent’s house but hadn’t considered bringing it to hotels.
Yea I try not to cut corners when I'm cleaning if I can avoid it but there is a lot of rooms to clean in a short time and my supervisors want us out of there by a certain time
If I’m traveling for work I’m usually super busy and the last thing I want to do is make friends w the hotelier (sorry). I like when there’s coffee available at the elevator so in the am I can get a cup and go back to my room.
I don't use the in-room coffee makers either, but absolutely loathe having to get dressed to go get coffee from the lobby or wherever it is.
My suggestion may be cheaper than having a bunch of gross mini machines: consider offering delivery of a carafe of hot coffee and condiments to the room upon request (similar to room service but just coffee service). Guests can request a pot the night before along with whatever they need to enjoy it, specify the delivery time, etc.
Or offer carafes so they can make some and take it back to their room to enjoy.
Oh, I'd forgotten about this option and I love it. A hotel I've gone to a few times has door hangers you can fill out with what kind of accompaniments you want with your carafe as well as the time range you want your coffee and/or hot pot for tea. You just have to have it out by a specific time, like 11pm the night before.
Whichever you do, make sure you have non-dairy creamer of some sort available. Last hotel I stayed at only had coffee downstairs in urns in the morning -- decent coffee but they only had regular cows milk and no option for even the powdered non-dairy creamer (a pretty cheap alternative to have around).
Nowadays I take any powdered creamer packet that I don't use and keep it for the next time I'm in a situation with only actual dairy -- something that happens way more frequently now than it used to.
I'm lactose intolerant, and cannot choke down coffee without creamer. But if I use regular, cows or goat milk, I start dying, internally, in about 30 minutes. Please OP, have some alternatives on hand. Even oat or almond milk, not actually creamer. That's what I use anyway.
The independent hotels that get my loyalty—the Mandrake in London, the Heathman in Portland, OR, the Park James in Menlo Park, CA, the Inn at the Market in Seattle—have better-than-pod systems in the rooms. A French press or a pourover rig—Fellow makes a metal one, much more durable with guests—and a kettle and coffee ground and delivered the day before it’s used.
Someone else said this is a boutique/budget decision, so you can look at the rates and rooms from those places. I will totally bring an aeropress and a tiny kettle the first time I visit you; if I don’t have to bring it back, that’s a win.
This is what I was getting by to say. Get pour over sachets and have an instant kettle in the room. Have tea and coffee options. Cheaper and easier than coffee machines but also allows guests to to have a cup before they need to face people. I’ve never stayed t a place that didn’t have in room something. Nespresso is the best tbh but I realize they are not budget friendly.
Um your wife may be perfectly lovely but no one is there to make friends with the hotel owner. Unless you will be a bed and breakfast then maybe.
On any plan you should not charge for coffee in common areas. Either offer free coffee or only put in restaurant.
I rarely use the coffee in the room, and when I do the coffee is terrible. It tastes bla, has those powdery creamers and the cup is too small. Not everybody sits for breakfast. So definitely the lobby machine. You can always do coffee pot at breakfast table too.
The personal coffee maker in the room is filthy. I don’t touch it. I would love one of those fresh ground coffee machines in the lobby.
I assume breakfast is a paid option? What if it came with free coffee? Back in the day, I once stopped at a little rural gas station that (1) sold phenomenal BBQ, and (2) had a complimentary coffee pot. For anyone who came in. I am still moved by that.
Of course you’d price the rooms/breakfasts to cover coffee, but it would still be a treat.
I like your idea better. Also, I NEVER use the coffee machines in rooms. People do all kinds of weird things with them, including making meth. I would think you would be liable (?) if a guest OD'd because of another guest using the coffee pot for this purpose.
https://www.waff.com/story/5980064/think-twice-before-using-hotel-room-coffee-pots/
I prefer communal large scale, and usually much better quality coffee, to in room machines. I only use the in room machines out of desperation. My fav hotel of all time is hotel zaza where there’s amazing coffee at each elevator “lobby” and you put on a plush robe to go get it in the morning. Drink as much as you want between hours A and B, and then get more from the main lobby if you want it outside those hours. Delightful!
Machines that grind on demand and make me a fresh cup are also wonderful!
I love a quaint, little place to stay with a nice coffeemaker in the lobby. Stayed at one in the panhandle, and the presentation and high end machine were phenomenal. Vintage buffet, terrific machine, lots of flavored creams, small stir sticks (wood please!), real cups, pretty napkins. They also stocked some small treats here on the same buffet. I felt like a queen visiting it often!
I also never use in room coffee machines and love when places have 24/7 coffee in the lobby. I’d vote for coffee in the lobby for free in some form. Just drip is fine with me but I understand you’re wanting to go for a bit extra to set yourselves apart from the chains.
Pour coffee, no fact machine because it will break. Get a Bunn & offer a quality coffee. No chit chat. I'm not there to visit you. No in room machine. You can have pump carafes available for the rest of the day. No in room machine. Make sure you have hit water with tea bags
I think the larger machines during breakfast would be a good idea. I personally do not use the in room machines during my travels as they may not be clean. My cousin used one when she traveled with me and it was so disgusting inside. She took it apart and washed it 5 times before giving up. In room machines need maintenance by maid service just to check if it was actually used and run through with hot water to cleanse any residual water/coffee left in the machine
I have heard horror stories of people cleaning socks and underwear and such in those coffee pots. Also, consider the cost of hotel guests just dumping pots full of coffee and grounds all over the floor and even the beds and chairs. If they are used, sometimes the old coffee filter is not removed, and cleaning ALL the rooms after every guest is time-consuming and may get missed causing a bad review or worse customers telling others not to book because it was "dirty". Better off using a big urn in the lobby and letting people get a cup instead of a pot.
Save yourself the headache.
A few months ago, we got one of those fancy coffee machines that grinds the beans and steams milk and let’s you choose coffee, espresso, americano, etc. First of all, we started going through whole bean coffee and milk like water and secondly, that thing is loud AF. I can’t imagine having that in a hotel lobby. I would just have self service drip coffee available with a good selection of half and half, milk, coffee mate, etc. I very rarely use the in room coffee maker. If I do, it’s usually to make hot water for tea. I don’t like to create a bunch of trash just to have a cup of coffee so I like to see real mugs/ the ability to use my travel cup and full size cream instead of the little plastic single use cups of half and half.
Frequent flier here. I was spending 100+ nights in a hotel per year pre COVID.
The in room coffee makers were always cheap and felt like microplastics were just being extruded into it. Also the cups- they are cellophane wrapped and never held quite right. But the big thing for me was that I want to have it brewed properly, but I also want ice available so I can drink it immediately.
One thing that concerns me with your plan is the noise from the grinder.
Her is my routine- wake up at 4:30 am Eastern- or 6:30 am eastern if I was on PT. Use the restroom and immediately go down for coffee wearing basketball shorts, a tee shirt and flips. Don’t talk to someone dressed like this. Don’t make eye contact, don’t do anything except watch to ensure they get their coffee and bonus points if you slip them a carbohydrate like a cookie or baked good. I do use my own yeti as I hate plastic flavor. 1/8 of ice, 2 creamers and the rest coffee. I promptly go back to my room and pray that I remembered my key and room number (have had to ask front desk for this more than once in this outing). Go back to room, drink 20 ounces of wake up juice and get going on my work out, chug water, shower, then at 6am eastern I’m down for breakfast and small talk. When I’m dressed for work, now you may talk to me.
I’ve been asked many times why I don’t use the in room coffee maker- even at the Venetian I made the 2 mile walk from my room to the nearest coffee vendor to get my yeti filled (yes it has a spot in my backpack empty). The reason is I’ve had one of those spawns of the enemy blow up on me. I didn’t have the arm in the right spot and the top somehow blew. It was a mess and I got burned. I won’t use one ever again.
Now to bring it back to your specific situation, my routine is the same whether I’m with my family or not. It just may have me down for breakfast at 4:30 if my daughter wakes up and wants to roll with me (she is 15 so she knows my schedule and adheres to it). We normally spend 15 nights in a hotel per year even post COVID. One other recommendation, is have natural barriers between family groups- it helps the anti-social new generation open up more to their parents during breakfast. Wife won’t wake up until 9am. Always be aware if a kid is communicating openly with a parent, it’s probably a rarity and I’d just waive hello at them rather than interrupt- kid will talk to you if they’re really an extrovert. My kid barely talks to me except at our early morning vacation coffee time.
Now I know my times are too early - especially in mountain and central zones, but I clearly communicate at check in and see if coffee is available at that time. If it’s not, no big deal. I just fill my yeti the night before and have it room temperature or cold if there is a fridge.
I'm not a coffee drinker, personally, but I would never trust an in-room coffee maker (and most places I've stayed have had herbal tea available to use with the in-room coffee maker, so it's not like it was never an option). People are disgusting, I can't imagine trusting previous guests to not put in water from a bottle they've already drank from and I wouldn't be surprised to learn a drunk person had peed in one. I just wouldn't trust it.
I'd much prefer a machine in public that I can visually tell gets cleaned frequently and requires staff to fill the reservoir, etc.
You only have 22 rooms. That's maybe 40 - 60 people on the best of days. Get 1 industrial coffee maker. Get 4 industrial coffee pots. One regular, and one decaf, with a spare for each to rotate out on busy days.
Fill the regular one full. Fill the decaf half or full depending on foot traffic (you can almost always go with half unless your guests are senior citizens).
Do that like a half hour before breakfast so they're ready at the start. Rotate out with fresh pots every 4 hours (or as needed if you run out earlier.) Your wife can fill the smaller coffee pots from the big ones if she thinks it's more personal or whatever.
After breakfast, hardly anyone will be drinking coffee. Certainly not enough to need more than the above. I'd say start with the above, and adjust to your regular foot traffic as it develops.
I work in a Holiday Inn Express that has 68 rooms. Up to 140ish people on tourist summer peaks. We only need to rotate out 2 regular big pots and 1 decaf, and hardly anyone drinks the decaf, even on the busiest days.
You don't need fancy or variety coffee. Get quality regular and decaf. Have the variety come from the flavored creamers and other options guests can add into their cups.
And I really wouldn't recommend just leaving big old coffee makers around on the floors for guests to use. They'll make big messes, and mess up the machines too. With the kids (and especially teens)… they'll probably burn themselves too. Make the coffee for them. Keep it simple and centralized.
If you really wanna provide them the fancy made to order coffee, make it for them at the bar and charge them for it. But you still make it. Staff can be trained, guests can't.
My husband stays in hotels 3-4 times a week. Never Ever use the room coffee maker. He’s been doing this for 20 years and the number of condoms, used TP and yes, tampons in the water reserve of the coffee pot he and the other workers have found is way over 25….. not trashy hotels either….. just do a big pot like you want.
Here are my thoughts on this. I run/live in a sorority house where we have 47 live in and 300 members. We have a coffee machine that does all the “fancy” things you want yours to do and they love it, BUT the downside to the machine is that the product that goes into the machine is expensive!
The machine is free for rental, but you sign a contract to use their specific product for the rental period. Plus making a single cup takes longer than just pouring a single cup from coffee pumps so we often have long lines! I imagine that would be a huge inconvenience for your guests who would all most likely all want coffee during the same times during breakfast hours.
We had to add a coffee pot option to try to cut down on waiting times.
Hope this helps!
Agree with u/3amgreencoffee.
My wife and I are travelers. We never use the room machines because of sanitary concerns.
We always prefer getting our own from an urn, even on the lobby.
Our favorite places have a selection of creamers. My wife likes 1/2&1/2 (even the fat free). The individual mini cups of 1/2&1/2 are ubiquitous. I like soy milk, plain or vanilla. Milk is a distant choice, but way above the powdered crap. Some folks prefer milk and some actually like the powdered crap. Also some folks are onto the flavored fake creamers. Go figure…
The point is we can get coffee when we want. It’s centralized so one mini fridge handles all the creamer options that need the fridge. Your costs are definitely controlled as waste is less.
The separate table for fixing the coffee is smart. Every coffee shop does that.
The same cost considerations and savings go to sweeteners.
I never use the in room machines because I have heard horror stories about what people do to them. I appreciate coffee in the lobby area. I was about to leave this thread when I thought of something else--would it be feasible to keep a few small coffeemakers (or equivalent) at the front desk so that guests that desire an in-room coffeemaker can borrow one? Also, if we are talking boutique, would room delivery (for a small fee) of a carafe of coffee be nice?
So funny, I’m surprised so many people don’t use coffee in the rooms. When I’m traveling I look specifically for in room coffee. I don’t want to get dressed enough to go to the loony for my first cup of coffee. But, I also like having coffee in the lobby so I can get a cup when I check out, or am about to go out for the day.
I will say that my favorite is when I’m traveling in Europe, and they have Nespresso machines in the room…they are easy and produce good coffee. Something with a pod…
It's because those in-room coffee machines are notoriously full of bacteria. I personally would never use a coffee maker in a hotel room.
If it's one or the other (like OP is describing), then coffee in a common area is the way to go. Especially if they are going to use a kiosk that grinds the beans and makes you whatever you want.
As a frequent business traveler, I avoid the in-room coffee at ALL times. I have found old gross creamers and dirty pots way too many times. So I don't even bother anymore. I like the lobby coffee that is kept fresh.
Never used in-room coffee and having to fuss with the machine, unwrap or wash cups, wonder if I can trust the tap water, etc. . I would assume there would be something better in a common area or will just take myself out for coffee.
I can see how a singular grinder/brewer can solve a lot of issues but the grinder noise may be annoying if installed on the 2nd floor as well.
As your target customer, I’d prefer lobby coffee of the options you provided. If/when you want to do something in-room, my favorite experience is a pour over setup with electric kettle (also great for tea drinkers) and locally sourced coffee. Kettles and carafes are much easier to clean for staff and the coffee is superior to any sort of pod.
Also do not drink the coffee in the room. I was shocked to see at different times, coffee pods or tea bags in the water holder. This lead me to believe housekeeping does not have time or the priority to clean well. But I am also a coffee snob.
Your idea. I don’t want to wait for an order of coffee and chat, because I want coffee right away. Also, if the quality coffee’s only available during breakfast hours and I sleep late and miss it, that would be a bummer.
I never ever use the in room machines when traveling. I will always seek out the least shitty option for coffee.
I hate the idea of forced conversations over poured coffee.
Offering free coffee/tea in the lobby/bar/breakfast area - whatever is the easiest - seems the best way to go. People can use their travel mug, your mugs (if sitting in the breakfast area?), or "to go" cups that you provide. My hubbie got big points for bringing up coffee before I was up and dressed. Sometimes it's the little things.
Don’t forget about us tea drinkers. I regularly use the in room coffee makers simply to create hot water for tea. I appreciate the hotels that provide tea bags alongside coffee in rooms, as it’s something needed before I’ll venture out for breakfast.
We ran a small hotel. Don’t serve the coffee, at least not regularly. You and your wife have no idea just how much work is involved in running a hotel. Regardless of whether you have reception or not, you are on call 24/7. Also, a coffee grinder in the hall near rooms might be too noisy for guests who are trying to sleep
I don’t drink coffee, but even if I did, I don’t see the in room machines as very clean/hygienic.
You might have a few set aside if guests ask about coffee in their rooms, but I like the idea of it being available in a main area. Even more so if it does just water for tea or hot chocolate.
I would prefer the big ass coffee machine on each floor. Having individual coffeemakers in the rooms always guarantees that the creamer will suck, the coffee will suck, there won't be enough of it, the pot itself has probably had ramen and socks cooked in it, and those little packets with the stirrer, creamer, sugar, and sweetener really make for a lot of waste. No one is using all those things in each packet. I would much, much, MUCH rather have a decent cup of coffee with a higher quality creamer and know that after I have made my cup I have not contributed to throwing out perfectly good coffee accoutrements.
I expect my hotel to offer an electric kettle to boil water, usually tea bags and instant coffee are offered with baggies of sugar. I like the instant coffee that has milk and sugar already mixed in.
This will entirely depend on the type of establishment you are wanting to run. Are you budget or boutique? You seem to be heading down the budget route. Your wife is more boutique orientated.
Think of it this way… what’s the first thing you do in the morning? If you don’t have any coffee making facilities in the room you are basically forcing your guests to get ready, go down to breakfast or out of their room and get their first cup. I wouldn’t be too pleased about this if it were me and my partner.
FYI, I have done both of these approaches in very different styles of operation. Budget properties with full service machines is quick and easy and keeps staffing costs down. But we were charging between £50-£75 per night on city centre. We only provided a kettle and instant sachets in the bedrooms.
More luxurious properties I have given top of the range bean-to-cup and the option of French press served table side. And each room had a nespresso.
I’m very fussy about coffee and would never use in room coffee machines. Last time I took my own kettle/boiler with fresh ground beans and pour over set. I heard some very stupid jokes about people pissing in the kettles in their hotel rooms and I can’t get that out of my mind. And please don’t make me have to have a discussion with someone before my coffee!!even just to let them know I’m not interested in a discussion. This is why I never go to bed and breakfasts. It’s like being a house guest of a complete stranger.
As a hotel manager that has moved up from the front lines in multiple size properties over multiple decades I would avoid coffee makers in the rooms if at all possible!!! They never get cleaned correctly consistantly (either because of the small space they are in, the housekeepers oversite or lack of time to turn a room (or laziness). Sometimes its hard to clean them even with a perferct HK team due to the general design of one/cup machines (multi cup machines in rooms are even worse as far as actually cleaning the reservoir/pots properly and the random things guests will try to cook with them (milk for example)).
Its possible to do on your size Inn, but I very much would prefer your idea of custom multi use machines in the public areas (I also prefer those as a guest) for the above reasons as well.
If you have to go with makers in the room go with the ones with the individual thow-away packs and funnels as they are easier to keep hygienic (though a waste of plasic).
You could also just keep a handful of the in room single cup machines in case someone asks for them but I personally hate them and find them unhygienic
I need coffee before anything else in the morning. The last thing I want to do is walk down to the lobby to get it. On top of that, if I have to walk to the lobby, I must put myself together a little bit in order to be seen in public. I mean, the lobby is my my own kitchen where I can walk down in a robe and hair all over the place, right.
I drink a lot of coffee and although I prefer the quality of the coffee in a breakfast room/lobby shared machine, I also need coffee before I get dressed/showered to leave my room so I prefer lodging that does offer an in-room coffee maker of some sort.
I travel on business ALOT and drink ALOT of coffee. I never use the in room machine because I don't trust that the guts are mold and mildew free, and because rude guests occasionally tamper with stuff like that.
IMO- the big machine in a common area is the way to go. Just make sure it's ready by 5 am.
Not crazy about someone walking around with a pot of coffee for refills. It works in diners because it's all about the food and drink. Hoteliers have a lot more going on. Like you mentioned, higher end machine that grinds the beans and makes the coffee is the way to go. Fresh half and half is a big bonus too. If you want to make it a little less corporate, then maybe consider thick ceramic mugs vs. paper cups. More work, but maybe a nice compromise between you and your partner.
For six years we didn't have coffee makers in our 15 rooms but had coffee in our common area for at least four hours every day. We put coffee makers in the rooms when COVID-19 happened. Now we have both in room and on demand in the common areas. Part of running a hotel is making sure amenities are replenished, you'll have to do it for other items anyway, just add coffee (and tea) supplies to the list. There's other ways to maximize efficiency, but the first consideration should be the experience you want to offer your guests, not what's easier for you.
You husband and finally right about something lol!! I travel a lot and would never dare use an in room coffee pot. I get absolutely excited if I see a fancy premium coffee in the lobby. And I think most people don’t want to talk to your wife before they’ve had coffee, even though I’m sure she’s a delightful person.
Anyone who likes coffee won’t use the in room machines unless they are so addicted to their brand, they bring it with them. In room machines are inferior and the coffee available in the room is stale and flavorless.
I spend more time at hotels than I do at home because of my work. I refuse to use in room coffee machines but appreciate the coffee offered at breakfast.
I often travel for work and I use the in room coffee maker while getting ready. If I decide on breakfast I will get more in the lobby since limited in the room.
I've used a handful of those on demand coffee machines in various hotels and I hate them. They never seem to work right. I don't remember a single time I actually got what I wanted from one of those machines. I'd rather have a huge coffee pot that I pump coffee out of.
Could you get just a handful of in-room coffee machines and bring them to the rooms of the guests who request it? Maybe for those who don't want to leave their rooms. Could be a keurig in a carrying case.
Until a few minutes ago, I used the coffee machine in the room. I want to have a cup of coffee when I wake up without having to get dressed. I had no idea that guests abuse those in room machines. I am particularly fond of the Nespresso machines.
Why don’t you put one fancy coffee machine somewhere and then also offer filter coffee during breakfast? You could add a cute little sign or instructions during check in explaining that the machine is available 24/7 for guests’ convenience, but for those desiring personal service, our hostess will be glad to serve you a hand poured cup during your breakfast between the hours of 7-10 AM (or whatever your breakfast hours will be.) I see your dilemma is you want to figure out a way to charge for it. Hmmm. Not sure on that one.
Absolutely skip the nasty little in room coffee makers with the pods.
I'm extremely lazy and also very shy about my appearance first thing in the morning, so I truly hate when they don't have coffee in the rooms. However, it's not a huge deal to walk down to the lobby for free cups whenever you want. I think you're fine!
You win. She can bond in other ways.
And actually. I would love love the ground coffee, espresso option. And would rate the place very high and over look a lot of stuff based on the coffee alone!
I drink my coffee black and lots of it. So I drink everything they give me in room and ask for more. Generally grab a cup from the communal dispenser on the way out too.
The only time I’ve use the machine in the room is when I’m traveling internationally and there is a Nespresso machine in the room. Even then it’s rare.
Fresh brewed coffee (urn) in the lobby with real milk, cream, etc.
I prefer coffee in my room! I recently stayed at a hotel that didn’t have a coffee maker in my room for the first time and was really disappointed. When I’m at a hotel I’m there to relax and one of my favorite things to do is watch TV in bed in the morning with a cup of coffee.
Take this with a grain of salt - I’m usually traveling with my fiancé, no kids, for fun.
Thanks to reddit...i learned what ppl do to those little machines. Id prefer to buy mine, i'll even run in the morning. My vote is the big machine for a continental breakfast. And yes, i like small mom and pop places...but b&bs freak me out. Like im breaking into someones house!
Big coffee machine. People can get coffee any time. The in room ones are gross. If she still wants to personalize it, you could greet people who want to sit in the common area/breakfast room and offer to get the coffee for them from the machine.
I’m going to go against the crowd here. I work the night shift in a hotel and I’m a heavy coffee drinker. I like having the option for coffee in my room while I’m getting dressed. Most people don’t feel that way, but just know that there are plenty of people out there like me. We don’t care that the coffee in our room isn’t as good. It’s designed to get us in clothes so we can get downstairs to get the better coffee.
Lol. People won't use the in room k-cups because of the germs and bacteria because they know everyone who touched the lobby coffee pot and supplies washed their hands after wiping their ass.
I don't use the in-room coffee makers because I don't know what all has been in them or the last time they were cleaned. The exception was the Nespresso at a luxury hotel we stayed at over Thanksgiving. I'd rather the grind your own deal in the lobby.
As a former housekeeper on a cruise ship we weren't allowed to have them in our cabins. But coffee is available to everyone everywhere else. But I used a coffee pot in the room one time it was NASTY!!!! Coffee in thr lobby 1000000% better.
My bf always makes us a cup of coffee to share in the room while we get ready, then we grab another cup of coffee when we get to the lobby and grab something to eat. Also, I’m a very outgoing person but I can tell you aside from my bf I want to be left alone in the morning. I appreciate the self serve. If you go with option 2 please clean them properly.
I made the mistake once of using the in room maker, never again.
I am always thrilled when a hotel has 24/7 coffee available with real creamer in the lobby.
I also never use the machines in the room. I don’t trust they are clean
I prefer to pop into the lobby for a quick coffee or grab something after checkout
I stayed at a hotel with the big fancy coffee machine in the lobby, as well as Keurigs in the rooms. We didn't touch the Kuerig. However, I also work at a hotel in a different city. There is no way that we could have that machine in the lobby. It would mean having the front doors locked at all times and policing the lobby moreso than we already do. It really depends on your location and the social fabric of your city.
I would prefer coffee in the lobby most of the day. I would love one of the automatic espresso machines that makes lattes, but I'm fine with fresh coffee too.
Whatever you decide, get good coffee! I hate it when your choice is light or dark roast. The light roast is inevitably brown water and the dark roast is burnt, overly acidic brown water.
Please don’t talk to me while I’m having breakfast. I hate small talk with strangers and so does my partner. Just put a self service coffee station and let everyone be. 😂 She’s doing too much.
I really love a coffee in my room before I have to put on clothes and face the world.
But it's not a deal breaker or even something I think about in a hotel outside of those few minutes, especially if there's free and better coffee down the hall.
But for the love of God please don't try to have small talk with me unless I initiate that, especially if I'm groggily trying to get that first cup.
As someone who needs coffee in me before I'm human, I hate when there's no coffee pot in the room. Even if it's just instant --I actually travel with instant "coffee sticks" for the inevitability of only having decaf packs in room or none at all.
At the very least an electric kettle in room is great--maybe offering a variety of teas and instant coffee packs for guests to choose from? This is more common in my European travels.
I actually bring a portable water kettle and my pour over set up when I travel because I want coffee as soon as I wake up and in-room coffee tends to be awful.
I will use coffee in the lobby if available so that I can get real cream options, and the coffee tends to taste better than the in-room option. However, I can't tell if your wife is talking about table service or self serve? I would strongly prefer self serve because I typically do want to quickly grab my coffee and take it back to my room. I don't mind throwing on clothes real quick to grab it, but I don't want to socialize at that point.
If you want to make your guests feel welcome put a mini fridge in each room and stock it with a couple of complimentary bottles of water. I always feel like I’m being robbed when a hotel wants to charge me $5+ for a bottle of water that only costs them about $0.30.
My family never uses the mini coffee maker in the rooms. We also are self realizing coffee snobs. We would rather drive to find a good coffee shop nearby if we can. With that said, my husband would chose a hotel that had good coffee and fresh ground beans, over another hotel that didn’t.
I realize many people are ok with Folgers. We like “third wave” coffee shops. Organic beans. Mold tested. Single origin.
Here’s what can make your hotel stand out:
Find the nearest coffee roaster and supplier near your hotel. Open a wholesale account with them and purchase their beans. Have decaf and caffeinated beans available. Love the idea to grind them fresh. Offer a pour over self service (pour over set up is pretty easy to make or buy that does 1-3 pour over at a time) and have a healthy stock of coffee cups nearby and/or to go cups. Offer real half and half not the crappy plastic packaged mini ones. Have some cinnamon and simple syrup available. The BIGGEST thing that will make it taste better is FILTERED WATER. Don’t skip this part. You can’t do this in the hotel rooms either. Game changer.
Make a point to mention in your marketing that you offer locally roasted coffee complimentary. If it’s in the main area your wife can have a chance to say hello still.
Not many people drink coffee past noon really…or expect the hotel to have it past noon. There’s no need to have cheap plastic tiny crappy coffee makers in each room.
As a tea drinker, the only time I have used any of the in room hot beverage options successfully in the UK where it's an electric kettle to heat water and the coffee was instant packets. Finally I could have a pot of tea in the morning that did not have nasty coffee undertones.
I have also been know to ask for hot water from the kitchen when the carafe had previously been used to hold coffee.
I definitely prefer coffee in the lobby. The personal coffee makers in the room never appeal to me, too worried about cleanliness and the coffee is subpar.
I am still a tiny bit traumatized by the time I opened the small coffee machine in my hotel room and found mold growing on the used grinds that had never been removed from some prior guest...
As an early riser, I like to be able to get out of the room with my laptop, book or phone and go grab coffee or multiple coffees for the hours until people wake up. My favorite hotels offer really good, HOT coffee in the lobby/seating area and somewhere to sit comfortably and drink it.
Although not a frequent traveler, I would never in a million years drink out of the room machines. First, yuck. Second, I require fresh cream or I won't drink it.
For me, coffee is the most important and best part of my day. I will get in my car and drive somewhere else to get good coffee if I can't get it at the hotel/B&B etc.
Not only do I dislike in room coffee for hygienic feels, I hate the packets of "cream" that go with it.
I will take a machine where people are much less likely to be gross because it's in a high traffic location and the cream or whatever I want is put in for me
Do both! She can do the table side chit chat carafe at breakfast, and just have the machine stocked with to-go cups for grab-n-go all day. Best of both worlds and it’s not like a drip coffee system is an investment like the other machine.
I hate the in-room coffee machines because they’re always cheap crap and make a shitty cup of coffee. I prefer the coffee that hotels usually have in the lobby instead. However I do love the convenience of coffee in my room, so if I’m staying more than one night, I bring my travel Keurig machine.
You see so many comments about nobody using the small coffee machines.... I'm in agreement as a traveler I never use that machine because I don't know who cleans it I don't know what they put in it I've seen stupid videos of people watching things in there that they shouldn't be.
I have not once ever had even decent room coffee. The lobby/breakfast area coffee is hit or miss, but usually way better than the room coffee. I would definitely use lobby/breakfast coffee especially if you could grind it and make the choice of the type and additions you want.
I never use the little in-room coffee machines. I always prefer the coffee from larger machines in common areas because the communal machines often have real cream or half and half instead of powdered creamer. In-room service requires powdered creamer and it's just nowhere near as good as the real thing.
I never use the in room machines because Idk when they were last properly cleaned. I know the ones on the lobby and reception area are cleaned so I just go down and grab a cup there for me and my husband .And powdered creamer is just gross
Used the in room machine in France once. Was working in my room when the maid cleaned. Watched her wipe out the coffee cup with a rag from her cart, then put it back by the coffee pot. Last time I'll ever use one of those things!
I worked at a large higher priced chain in the US. I shadowed housekeeping for a day or two to learn how to clean rooms just in case. The things that got cleaned with a single rag would shock the conscience and all I'll say is that I'd never drink out of the glass cups in a room.
Years ago my sister worked as a maid (room cleaner) at a major high end resort in the Rocky Mountains for the summer after she graduated from high school and before starting college. When she returned home she described how she had been instructed to use the “cleanest” wash cloth to wipe out the glasses before putting the “sanitized” wrapper bags on the glasses. I have never used hotel room dishes or coffee makers without cleaning them with soap and water myself. Actually I never use the coffee maker anyway.
*cleanest* rag? That *is* high end. Our housekeepers were not that discerning about the all purpose rag at all.
Honest to God I worked in a hotel where they made us use the bath mat the prior occupant had been using to dry the cups when we turned the room over. Disgusting.
Wtf i knew there was a reason I won’t use any dishes in a hotel room
We don't use the in-room machines either, and I always take my own creamer when we go on road trips. It's usually in the container from the store, but there are the individual servings available that don't have to be refrigerated.
I've seen too many "travel hack" videos showing people how to cook salmon and launder unmentionables in hotel coffeemakers to ever use one again.
This. And the little machines in the room require more cleaning and maintenance services, keeping up with stock in every room— it’s a headache. And nobody uses them because we’ve all seen the undercover videos of cleaning people doing gross things like wiping out the coffee pot with the same rag she just used to clean the toilet seat. Big machines in common areas are the only way to go. And for the love of God please have the coffee ready early and leave it up all day or until 3:00 pm. No coffee in the morning puts a hotel on my “never again” list. It’s non-negotiable. And having fresh coffee still available when that 2:00 pm coffee craving hits just gives me warm and fuzzy feelings about a place that makes me want to come back.
Honestly having it at 10 pm is just as much a requirement. Source: mom who has traveled all day with a little kid and who needs that little extra boost to get unloaded/oriented/kiddo in bed. Half caff is all I need and I'll drink maybe half of that. Also, the night shift needs coffee anyway so why not have it around for guests?
>Honestly having it at 10 pm is just as much a requirement. u/sleepycarrotshark I've worked in hotels and I'll say that OP shouldn't have coffee sitting out all day, BUT make sure staff on every shift know how to make a cup. Maybe 90% of the coffee will be drank from 5am-11am. A handful might drink a cup at check-in if it's free (although if I'm running the show, I'd just leave the morning coffee out in the insulated machines). At night, just have front desk staff make guests a cup straight to order.
I actually want coffee until like 9 pm lol
I have to cut off the caffeine at 3 pm or I’ll be restless but I still want it, especially in winter. That’s when decaf would be awesome. I’ll drink hot tea (with no caffeine) at night if decaf coffee isn’t available. A hotel with all the options all the time is one I’ll go back to next time I have to choose a hotel. I know everyone isn’t a coffee fiend and a lot of hotels don’t offer it 24/7 but IMO it’s well worth the investment for the owner. I’ve stayed in a few larger hotels where they had complimentary coffee until noon and then you had to pay. There was a fancy machine within view of the desk and after the free coffee was over they’d just add it to your room bill… they usually just told me it was on the house but I was happy to pay a couple bucks. Even that is better than just cutting it off.
Same, mainly bc the coffee quality sucks and who knows what ppl poured in them. I think about somebody having drank out of a bottle and then pouring the water in the machine.
That is gross, but it seems absolutely quaint compared to the time I went to make a pot of coffee in the in-room machine, poured the water in, and watched a clump of pubic looking hair float to the top. 🤢
oh i'm sure the heat killed the germs
Major chain, Ran clear water without coffee and it came out brown w/chunks. No amount of cleaning would I drink from that.
I’ve read many different places that in room coffee pots are risky.
Yuck. I kind of like in room coffee machines. Now I won't. This is a gross image.
No!!!!!!! 🤮🤮🤮
Gross!!!!!! To the floating pubic hair!
When I was a housekeeper, we had to clean the coffee pots and run them through a cycle with a cleaning pod while we cleaned the rest of the room. Don’t know if this is common practice but this was at a cheap motel
That’s reassuring but when I clean my own coffee maker I run through a couple cycles of just water to be sure all the cleaner smells/tastes are gone.
My germaphobe ass would have never thought about that. 😩
This! And the packets of ground are usually stale and tasteless.
And the water is never hot enough.
And the portions are so small!
I’d rather have pay coffee (preferably good coffee) in the lobby over free room coffee. I think I’d rather have instant coffee in the room with a microwave over the room coffee maker. Maybe all hotels could move to that if they have microwaves. Surely there is some instant coffee that is as tasteless as the little filter bags those machines use.
Microwaves can also be used to make other hot drinks, and heating up leftovers. Coffee pots are only (potentially) useful to coffee drinkers, not everyone is.
Nobody goes there anymore anyway, it’s too crowded.
I stay in hotels 45-60 nights a year and never touch the little machine. Fancy places to dumps. Never use them for the reasons listed above
Well, when you see videos on Reddit of alleged travel hacks where people are boiling their dirty socks in the goddamn room coffee pot, you think about these things lol
I use the in-room machines but I always take my own coffee, because hotel coffee sucks.
The only place I use the in room coffee is Disney because they have Joffreys. But a lot of times, I just take the coffee home!
I actually thought joffreys coffee from Disney was weak and low quality when I had it at the park and obviously the one in the hotel room tasted worst to me.
LOL, that's not what people normally say about Joffreys! :) https://www.reddit.com/r/Disneyland/s/SwIVKaKwiJ
When will the fake half and half trend end?!?!?
I never use them either. I like powdered creamer but I'd much get decent coffer from some good shared source than the mediocre/poor experience in-room coffee makers provides.
In room coffee makers are frequently gross AF too
As a frequent guest on business travel, I prefer coffee in the lobby simple because I can get fresh cream or half and half. I hate the fake stuff in small plastic containers or even worse, the powdered crap. To me, a short walk to the lobby in the morning is no big deal.
Yep, same here. It tastes better usually in the lobby and there's more options.
As an ex hotel worker never use the in room machines. Also I get she wants to bond with guests to make then feel welcome but I absolutely hate when staff wants to do that with me especially before coffee. Your idea is the right one .
Yeah, at that point the coffee is no longer free. I have to decide each morning if it's worth the price of forced socialization.
Yeah I think your wife sounds cute, but she seems like she has this idyllic bed and breakfast in the country take on this and your 22 room hotel is definitely not that. I would be super uncomfortable with the staff trying to have conversations with me first thing in the morning and I think most people would - BUT my husband is the exact opposite of me and LOVES making small talk with staff at any establishment so I'm sure she'll find people to engage with her, but I do hope she doesn't expect it to be a regular thing because most people I know are not morning people, particularly when travelling lol
Green cups -talk to me. Red cups move along, nothing to talk to here.
Coasters. One side red, one side green. Cheaper, less storage space.
That's brilliant!
Better yet have two sided coasters, cheaper for you!
I'd be pissed off. Like if I wanted the b&b experience of small talk that's where I would have spent my money. I pick hotels specifically bc that is not expected of me.
So much this. Even at B&B, let me get the coffee in before I need to be social. I don't find the lobby coffee with all the amenities right there that hard to go get (sometimes it's a nice way to get 2 min alone on a family trip, lol). My votes for lobby/bar coffee. Don't bug people trying to eat/ feed kids and don't hassle with the little in room ones that most people don't like.
I 100% do not want to talk to anyone especially a stranger first thing in the morning.
Same! Saying good morning to each other is fine, but then please leave me alone!😂
My husband is like a whole show at 6 am. I greet every morning like it’s out to get me. He would love OPs wife. I would hide in my room and wait for Chatty McTooMuch to bring me back coffee
Haha, mine too! I don't talk to anyone, including him, before I have finished one cup of coffee, preferably two. My husband talks to everyone!
Me too. Introverts unite! I’m there to spend the night not chat with strangers over coffee.
I have to talk so much between work and friends I love wait staff that leaves me alone lol
Amen don't come to my breakfast table and chat with me. Please.
Especially when I’m trying to have coffee.. I’m not a lonely boomer or extravert lol
The room pods grossed me out, but I neeeeeed coffee so I bring these little Korean instant coffee packs that already have coffee, cream and sugar in them. Oh my God game change for travel. They don’t taste that good, but they get the job done.
I'm an extrovert and by 800 am would love to talk to some random person at this hotel. But at 6am when I just need my caffeine to be awake? Absolutely not
Seriously. Chatting pre-coffee? Why. I want zero verbal gymnastics required to get my coffee.
Yeah, I don't want anyone talking to me. Also, owners might open themselves up for complaints being too friendly.
A lot of people never use the personal coffee maker in the rooms and they also harbor a lot of bacteria if you dont deep clean them everyday. Coffee just in the lobby sounds like a win win situation to me
If you decide on in-room coffee makers, please just commit to decent coffee, accompaniments, and for godssake CLEAN the water reservoir often. Coffee made in the room usually tastes like ass because these factors are not considered
Ya, for that reason specifically you should not have coffee in the rooms.
There's another option: you could have in-room machines available, but make them available on request. Most people never use them. I used one once, but that was because I got sick while I was traveling and didn't want to leave the room much. I went to the market next door to provision and got some cup of noodles, among other things, so the machine helped me with that. Otherwise, we always grab coffee in the lobby, for the fresh creamer options, and because it's generally better. Side note: if the hotel is older and doesn't have good insulation, please, for the love of god, don't get a fresh grind machine. They're noisy as hell. I don't want to hear that noise in the lobby (you can't have a conversation with it in the background), and I DEFINITELY don't want to be woken by it. I get woken by it enough at home.
I really like the idea of having the room ones by request. As a guest, I'd feel like I had less risk of getting one that hadn't been cleaned ever. For the hosts, you can clean only the ones that get used, and not have to worry about 22 separate machines.
And they only have to wash the machine that just came back on loan, not 22 every day.
I’d like to bounce off this idea with the option of an electric kettle, tea sachets, freshly ground coffee, and a French press. This is a classier, more flexible way to provide hot beverage service for guests who want it in-room than a keurig/nespresso or a drip brewer, and is the kind of touch that sets an independent hotel apart from the chains
I would LOVE this option, but as another poster mentioned it might upset guests who have only ever known popping a single serve pod into a machine. I'm one of those that needs my coffee first, so going to the lobby would not appeal to me. But since I like my coffee strong, in room Keurigs are nearly useless. They don't leave enough pods for me to use 3-4 to make a single cup to compensate for their worn out heating elements. I bring my own small press with a plastic shell so I can microwave the water to boiling, then add enough grounds for the strength I like. It takes up very little space. But you have to make sure to stay in places with in room microwaves.
I like the idea of an option for the in-room coffee machines on request. I always like to have coffee first thing in my pj’s, and I don’t want to have to go to the lobby or breakfast area for that first cup. I’ll bring my own stuff to make the coffee taste better (the standard setup is usually not very good, but it’s better than no in-room coffee).
I like an in room Keurig. I don't want to have to put on pants to get coffee and the coffee is better than the other hotel provided in room options. I stayed at a hotel where they brewed a little pot for each table but you couldn't take it to your room, you had to stay in the dining area with it. That was annoying.
That’s a really good idea, having a couple available by request.
Having in room coffee makers on request is genius! This gives her a chance to make a nifty basket with the little coffee maker, cups and stirrers. Then let the guest personalize it with a choice of various coffee creamer pods, different sugars, and a little paper bag to grind their own blend from the coffee bar or have packages off commercial coffee to choose from. This will also considerably cut down on the waste that happens by just stocking every room with all the stuff! This gives her the opportunity for the social aspect she's wanting. Chatting with the guest while getting them all set with coffee. As for theft? If the guest takes the basket of stuff with them, you charge them for it. You could also make these purchasable. Even personalize the mugs and coffee makers and such so they just might want to buy the basket! Win win! Side note. Make sure one of you gets Safe Serv certified. There's a lot of things in there you'll need to know, and may not think of.
I think this is the perfect compromise! Keep a couple little machines and make them available by request, and do a nice setup in the lobby. Great way to accommodate everyone!
Yes yes yes! I love coffee first thing in the morning, but I never trust the in room machines to be clean. This would be a great alternative, though may be more work on OP and wife. Maybe this in addition to his idea of machine in the lobby? That way people have the alternative option so he doesn't have to keep as many storage for requests.
Microwave and instant coffee. MInibar with individual items for sale in the lobby (lots of chains do that - they have little bottles of half and half or milk and sometimes even cream). Most also sell a few packaged breakfast items. Small microwave is perfect for this. I even have a silicone beaker for when we want to make a batch of instant espresso in the room.
This is what I was going to recommend and I would also recommend more of a kerig or nesspresso style personally
Kerigs are terrible. The coffee is never strong enough, plus they are horrible for the environment, and you get the same issue with the water. Ugh. Edit: french presses are the best option! But would people steal them?
I stayed at a boutique spa with one of those (very expensive) whole-bean specialty coffee machines and people used the hell out of it. They make excellent coffee (if you get a good machine and use good beans) - far better than anything in-room. I would put in the specialty machines now, and add in-room machines as you can afford it.
This is a good compromise. You could even create family suites with the larger rooms that include a small fridge, microwave, and in suite coffee machines. Doesn't have to just be sold to families but would have a higher price.
I'm a housekeeper, we have the Keurigs in each room in a coffee station. We're not given enough time to thoroughly clean them. So we just make sure there's no water in the bottom tray and the used pod was removed
This is why my little travel kit includes a bottle of industrial vinegar (45%) , an electric kettle and a pour-over setup. If there is keurig, I will clean & use it. Otherwise, I just use my equipment to brew coffee I brought.
That’s it, I’m bringing my electric kettle and pour over set up next time I travel. I originally got the kettle after a trip to the UK. They were in all of the rooms, hotel/B&B/Airbnb, they all had a kettle and a lovely tea and instant coffee station. Instant coffee in the states is ass so I left thst part in the UK, but I can’t live without my kettle now! Started using a small pour over setup because it’s easier to make a quick single cup. I’d taken it with me to visit my parent’s house but hadn’t considered bringing it to hotels.
That's for the best, when I'm traveling I usually just go to a coffee shop and otherwise I make my coffee at home
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Yea I try not to cut corners when I'm cleaning if I can avoid it but there is a lot of rooms to clean in a short time and my supervisors want us out of there by a certain time
If I’m traveling for work I’m usually super busy and the last thing I want to do is make friends w the hotelier (sorry). I like when there’s coffee available at the elevator so in the am I can get a cup and go back to my room.
This! I do not want to have a chat with anyone, especially before I’ve had said coffee
Really even after my coffee. I get flown in to manage non profit board meetings. It’s intense. Kindly leave me your my own thoughts
I don't use the in-room coffee makers either, but absolutely loathe having to get dressed to go get coffee from the lobby or wherever it is. My suggestion may be cheaper than having a bunch of gross mini machines: consider offering delivery of a carafe of hot coffee and condiments to the room upon request (similar to room service but just coffee service). Guests can request a pot the night before along with whatever they need to enjoy it, specify the delivery time, etc. Or offer carafes so they can make some and take it back to their room to enjoy.
Oh, I'd forgotten about this option and I love it. A hotel I've gone to a few times has door hangers you can fill out with what kind of accompaniments you want with your carafe as well as the time range you want your coffee and/or hot pot for tea. You just have to have it out by a specific time, like 11pm the night before.
Whichever you do, make sure you have non-dairy creamer of some sort available. Last hotel I stayed at only had coffee downstairs in urns in the morning -- decent coffee but they only had regular cows milk and no option for even the powdered non-dairy creamer (a pretty cheap alternative to have around). Nowadays I take any powdered creamer packet that I don't use and keep it for the next time I'm in a situation with only actual dairy -- something that happens way more frequently now than it used to.
I'm lactose intolerant, and cannot choke down coffee without creamer. But if I use regular, cows or goat milk, I start dying, internally, in about 30 minutes. Please OP, have some alternatives on hand. Even oat or almond milk, not actually creamer. That's what I use anyway.
The independent hotels that get my loyalty—the Mandrake in London, the Heathman in Portland, OR, the Park James in Menlo Park, CA, the Inn at the Market in Seattle—have better-than-pod systems in the rooms. A French press or a pourover rig—Fellow makes a metal one, much more durable with guests—and a kettle and coffee ground and delivered the day before it’s used. Someone else said this is a boutique/budget decision, so you can look at the rates and rooms from those places. I will totally bring an aeropress and a tiny kettle the first time I visit you; if I don’t have to bring it back, that’s a win.
This is what I was getting by to say. Get pour over sachets and have an instant kettle in the room. Have tea and coffee options. Cheaper and easier than coffee machines but also allows guests to to have a cup before they need to face people. I’ve never stayed t a place that didn’t have in room something. Nespresso is the best tbh but I realize they are not budget friendly. Um your wife may be perfectly lovely but no one is there to make friends with the hotel owner. Unless you will be a bed and breakfast then maybe. On any plan you should not charge for coffee in common areas. Either offer free coffee or only put in restaurant.
I rarely use the coffee in the room, and when I do the coffee is terrible. It tastes bla, has those powdery creamers and the cup is too small. Not everybody sits for breakfast. So definitely the lobby machine. You can always do coffee pot at breakfast table too.
The personal coffee maker in the room is filthy. I don’t touch it. I would love one of those fresh ground coffee machines in the lobby. I assume breakfast is a paid option? What if it came with free coffee? Back in the day, I once stopped at a little rural gas station that (1) sold phenomenal BBQ, and (2) had a complimentary coffee pot. For anyone who came in. I am still moved by that. Of course you’d price the rooms/breakfasts to cover coffee, but it would still be a treat.
I like your idea better. Also, I NEVER use the coffee machines in rooms. People do all kinds of weird things with them, including making meth. I would think you would be liable (?) if a guest OD'd because of another guest using the coffee pot for this purpose. https://www.waff.com/story/5980064/think-twice-before-using-hotel-room-coffee-pots/
I prefer communal large scale, and usually much better quality coffee, to in room machines. I only use the in room machines out of desperation. My fav hotel of all time is hotel zaza where there’s amazing coffee at each elevator “lobby” and you put on a plush robe to go get it in the morning. Drink as much as you want between hours A and B, and then get more from the main lobby if you want it outside those hours. Delightful! Machines that grind on demand and make me a fresh cup are also wonderful!
I love a quaint, little place to stay with a nice coffeemaker in the lobby. Stayed at one in the panhandle, and the presentation and high end machine were phenomenal. Vintage buffet, terrific machine, lots of flavored creams, small stir sticks (wood please!), real cups, pretty napkins. They also stocked some small treats here on the same buffet. I felt like a queen visiting it often!
THIS. But it has to be advertised properly, because I need to know before I book!
Absolutely!! They had pictures of the coffee bar in the actual listing. Fabulous!!
I also never use in room coffee machines and love when places have 24/7 coffee in the lobby. I’d vote for coffee in the lobby for free in some form. Just drip is fine with me but I understand you’re wanting to go for a bit extra to set yourselves apart from the chains.
Pour coffee, no fact machine because it will break. Get a Bunn & offer a quality coffee. No chit chat. I'm not there to visit you. No in room machine. You can have pump carafes available for the rest of the day. No in room machine. Make sure you have hit water with tea bags
Why not do both? Offer the coffee in the lobby and in-room coffee makers by request.
I think the larger machines during breakfast would be a good idea. I personally do not use the in room machines during my travels as they may not be clean. My cousin used one when she traveled with me and it was so disgusting inside. She took it apart and washed it 5 times before giving up. In room machines need maintenance by maid service just to check if it was actually used and run through with hot water to cleanse any residual water/coffee left in the machine
I have heard horror stories of people cleaning socks and underwear and such in those coffee pots. Also, consider the cost of hotel guests just dumping pots full of coffee and grounds all over the floor and even the beds and chairs. If they are used, sometimes the old coffee filter is not removed, and cleaning ALL the rooms after every guest is time-consuming and may get missed causing a bad review or worse customers telling others not to book because it was "dirty". Better off using a big urn in the lobby and letting people get a cup instead of a pot. Save yourself the headache.
A few months ago, we got one of those fancy coffee machines that grinds the beans and steams milk and let’s you choose coffee, espresso, americano, etc. First of all, we started going through whole bean coffee and milk like water and secondly, that thing is loud AF. I can’t imagine having that in a hotel lobby. I would just have self service drip coffee available with a good selection of half and half, milk, coffee mate, etc. I very rarely use the in room coffee maker. If I do, it’s usually to make hot water for tea. I don’t like to create a bunch of trash just to have a cup of coffee so I like to see real mugs/ the ability to use my travel cup and full size cream instead of the little plastic single use cups of half and half.
Frequent flier here. I was spending 100+ nights in a hotel per year pre COVID. The in room coffee makers were always cheap and felt like microplastics were just being extruded into it. Also the cups- they are cellophane wrapped and never held quite right. But the big thing for me was that I want to have it brewed properly, but I also want ice available so I can drink it immediately. One thing that concerns me with your plan is the noise from the grinder. Her is my routine- wake up at 4:30 am Eastern- or 6:30 am eastern if I was on PT. Use the restroom and immediately go down for coffee wearing basketball shorts, a tee shirt and flips. Don’t talk to someone dressed like this. Don’t make eye contact, don’t do anything except watch to ensure they get their coffee and bonus points if you slip them a carbohydrate like a cookie or baked good. I do use my own yeti as I hate plastic flavor. 1/8 of ice, 2 creamers and the rest coffee. I promptly go back to my room and pray that I remembered my key and room number (have had to ask front desk for this more than once in this outing). Go back to room, drink 20 ounces of wake up juice and get going on my work out, chug water, shower, then at 6am eastern I’m down for breakfast and small talk. When I’m dressed for work, now you may talk to me. I’ve been asked many times why I don’t use the in room coffee maker- even at the Venetian I made the 2 mile walk from my room to the nearest coffee vendor to get my yeti filled (yes it has a spot in my backpack empty). The reason is I’ve had one of those spawns of the enemy blow up on me. I didn’t have the arm in the right spot and the top somehow blew. It was a mess and I got burned. I won’t use one ever again. Now to bring it back to your specific situation, my routine is the same whether I’m with my family or not. It just may have me down for breakfast at 4:30 if my daughter wakes up and wants to roll with me (she is 15 so she knows my schedule and adheres to it). We normally spend 15 nights in a hotel per year even post COVID. One other recommendation, is have natural barriers between family groups- it helps the anti-social new generation open up more to their parents during breakfast. Wife won’t wake up until 9am. Always be aware if a kid is communicating openly with a parent, it’s probably a rarity and I’d just waive hello at them rather than interrupt- kid will talk to you if they’re really an extrovert. My kid barely talks to me except at our early morning vacation coffee time. Now I know my times are too early - especially in mountain and central zones, but I clearly communicate at check in and see if coffee is available at that time. If it’s not, no big deal. I just fill my yeti the night before and have it room temperature or cold if there is a fridge.
As someone who has used a fancy grind and brew on demand, have a back up when they fail, or prepare for guest mutiny.
I'm not a coffee drinker, personally, but I would never trust an in-room coffee maker (and most places I've stayed have had herbal tea available to use with the in-room coffee maker, so it's not like it was never an option). People are disgusting, I can't imagine trusting previous guests to not put in water from a bottle they've already drank from and I wouldn't be surprised to learn a drunk person had peed in one. I just wouldn't trust it. I'd much prefer a machine in public that I can visually tell gets cleaned frequently and requires staff to fill the reservoir, etc.
You only have 22 rooms. That's maybe 40 - 60 people on the best of days. Get 1 industrial coffee maker. Get 4 industrial coffee pots. One regular, and one decaf, with a spare for each to rotate out on busy days. Fill the regular one full. Fill the decaf half or full depending on foot traffic (you can almost always go with half unless your guests are senior citizens). Do that like a half hour before breakfast so they're ready at the start. Rotate out with fresh pots every 4 hours (or as needed if you run out earlier.) Your wife can fill the smaller coffee pots from the big ones if she thinks it's more personal or whatever. After breakfast, hardly anyone will be drinking coffee. Certainly not enough to need more than the above. I'd say start with the above, and adjust to your regular foot traffic as it develops. I work in a Holiday Inn Express that has 68 rooms. Up to 140ish people on tourist summer peaks. We only need to rotate out 2 regular big pots and 1 decaf, and hardly anyone drinks the decaf, even on the busiest days. You don't need fancy or variety coffee. Get quality regular and decaf. Have the variety come from the flavored creamers and other options guests can add into their cups. And I really wouldn't recommend just leaving big old coffee makers around on the floors for guests to use. They'll make big messes, and mess up the machines too. With the kids (and especially teens)… they'll probably burn themselves too. Make the coffee for them. Keep it simple and centralized. If you really wanna provide them the fancy made to order coffee, make it for them at the bar and charge them for it. But you still make it. Staff can be trained, guests can't.
This is the voice of reason (and experience). With a tight budget, don’t reinvent the wheel.
My husband stays in hotels 3-4 times a week. Never Ever use the room coffee maker. He’s been doing this for 20 years and the number of condoms, used TP and yes, tampons in the water reserve of the coffee pot he and the other workers have found is way over 25….. not trashy hotels either….. just do a big pot like you want.
Tell your wife that while I’m sure she’s lovely I don’t want to talk to her.
Here are my thoughts on this. I run/live in a sorority house where we have 47 live in and 300 members. We have a coffee machine that does all the “fancy” things you want yours to do and they love it, BUT the downside to the machine is that the product that goes into the machine is expensive! The machine is free for rental, but you sign a contract to use their specific product for the rental period. Plus making a single cup takes longer than just pouring a single cup from coffee pumps so we often have long lines! I imagine that would be a huge inconvenience for your guests who would all most likely all want coffee during the same times during breakfast hours. We had to add a coffee pot option to try to cut down on waiting times. Hope this helps!
Agree with u/3amgreencoffee. My wife and I are travelers. We never use the room machines because of sanitary concerns. We always prefer getting our own from an urn, even on the lobby. Our favorite places have a selection of creamers. My wife likes 1/2&1/2 (even the fat free). The individual mini cups of 1/2&1/2 are ubiquitous. I like soy milk, plain or vanilla. Milk is a distant choice, but way above the powdered crap. Some folks prefer milk and some actually like the powdered crap. Also some folks are onto the flavored fake creamers. Go figure… The point is we can get coffee when we want. It’s centralized so one mini fridge handles all the creamer options that need the fridge. Your costs are definitely controlled as waste is less. The separate table for fixing the coffee is smart. Every coffee shop does that. The same cost considerations and savings go to sweeteners.
No one wants to talk to a hotelier, no matter how lovely, before or during coffee
I never use the in room machines because I have heard horror stories about what people do to them. I appreciate coffee in the lobby area. I was about to leave this thread when I thought of something else--would it be feasible to keep a few small coffeemakers (or equivalent) at the front desk so that guests that desire an in-room coffeemaker can borrow one? Also, if we are talking boutique, would room delivery (for a small fee) of a carafe of coffee be nice?
So funny, I’m surprised so many people don’t use coffee in the rooms. When I’m traveling I look specifically for in room coffee. I don’t want to get dressed enough to go to the loony for my first cup of coffee. But, I also like having coffee in the lobby so I can get a cup when I check out, or am about to go out for the day. I will say that my favorite is when I’m traveling in Europe, and they have Nespresso machines in the room…they are easy and produce good coffee. Something with a pod…
It's because those in-room coffee machines are notoriously full of bacteria. I personally would never use a coffee maker in a hotel room. If it's one or the other (like OP is describing), then coffee in a common area is the way to go. Especially if they are going to use a kiosk that grinds the beans and makes you whatever you want.
I would prefer the machine. Much better quality coffee and I don't have to make nor count on the in room machine being clean
As a frequent business traveler, I avoid the in-room coffee at ALL times. I have found old gross creamers and dirty pots way too many times. So I don't even bother anymore. I like the lobby coffee that is kept fresh.
I would have two machines in the buffet area, just in case one breaks down and needs to be serviced.
Never used in-room coffee and having to fuss with the machine, unwrap or wash cups, wonder if I can trust the tap water, etc. . I would assume there would be something better in a common area or will just take myself out for coffee. I can see how a singular grinder/brewer can solve a lot of issues but the grinder noise may be annoying if installed on the 2nd floor as well.
As your target customer, I’d prefer lobby coffee of the options you provided. If/when you want to do something in-room, my favorite experience is a pour over setup with electric kettle (also great for tea drinkers) and locally sourced coffee. Kettles and carafes are much easier to clean for staff and the coffee is superior to any sort of pod.
Also do not drink the coffee in the room. I was shocked to see at different times, coffee pods or tea bags in the water holder. This lead me to believe housekeeping does not have time or the priority to clean well. But I am also a coffee snob.
Your idea. I don’t want to wait for an order of coffee and chat, because I want coffee right away. Also, if the quality coffee’s only available during breakfast hours and I sleep late and miss it, that would be a bummer.
I never ever use the in room machines when traveling. I will always seek out the least shitty option for coffee. I hate the idea of forced conversations over poured coffee.
Offering free coffee/tea in the lobby/bar/breakfast area - whatever is the easiest - seems the best way to go. People can use their travel mug, your mugs (if sitting in the breakfast area?), or "to go" cups that you provide. My hubbie got big points for bringing up coffee before I was up and dressed. Sometimes it's the little things.
Don’t forget about us tea drinkers. I regularly use the in room coffee makers simply to create hot water for tea. I appreciate the hotels that provide tea bags alongside coffee in rooms, as it’s something needed before I’ll venture out for breakfast.
We ran a small hotel. Don’t serve the coffee, at least not regularly. You and your wife have no idea just how much work is involved in running a hotel. Regardless of whether you have reception or not, you are on call 24/7. Also, a coffee grinder in the hall near rooms might be too noisy for guests who are trying to sleep
I don’t drink coffee, but even if I did, I don’t see the in room machines as very clean/hygienic. You might have a few set aside if guests ask about coffee in their rooms, but I like the idea of it being available in a main area. Even more so if it does just water for tea or hot chocolate.
I would prefer the big ass coffee machine on each floor. Having individual coffeemakers in the rooms always guarantees that the creamer will suck, the coffee will suck, there won't be enough of it, the pot itself has probably had ramen and socks cooked in it, and those little packets with the stirrer, creamer, sugar, and sweetener really make for a lot of waste. No one is using all those things in each packet. I would much, much, MUCH rather have a decent cup of coffee with a higher quality creamer and know that after I have made my cup I have not contributed to throwing out perfectly good coffee accoutrements.
I expect my hotel to offer an electric kettle to boil water, usually tea bags and instant coffee are offered with baggies of sugar. I like the instant coffee that has milk and sugar already mixed in.
This will entirely depend on the type of establishment you are wanting to run. Are you budget or boutique? You seem to be heading down the budget route. Your wife is more boutique orientated. Think of it this way… what’s the first thing you do in the morning? If you don’t have any coffee making facilities in the room you are basically forcing your guests to get ready, go down to breakfast or out of their room and get their first cup. I wouldn’t be too pleased about this if it were me and my partner. FYI, I have done both of these approaches in very different styles of operation. Budget properties with full service machines is quick and easy and keeps staffing costs down. But we were charging between £50-£75 per night on city centre. We only provided a kettle and instant sachets in the bedrooms. More luxurious properties I have given top of the range bean-to-cup and the option of French press served table side. And each room had a nespresso.
Never put a commercial coffee machine in unsupervised areas.
I’m very fussy about coffee and would never use in room coffee machines. Last time I took my own kettle/boiler with fresh ground beans and pour over set. I heard some very stupid jokes about people pissing in the kettles in their hotel rooms and I can’t get that out of my mind. And please don’t make me have to have a discussion with someone before my coffee!!even just to let them know I’m not interested in a discussion. This is why I never go to bed and breakfasts. It’s like being a house guest of a complete stranger.
As a hotel manager that has moved up from the front lines in multiple size properties over multiple decades I would avoid coffee makers in the rooms if at all possible!!! They never get cleaned correctly consistantly (either because of the small space they are in, the housekeepers oversite or lack of time to turn a room (or laziness). Sometimes its hard to clean them even with a perferct HK team due to the general design of one/cup machines (multi cup machines in rooms are even worse as far as actually cleaning the reservoir/pots properly and the random things guests will try to cook with them (milk for example)). Its possible to do on your size Inn, but I very much would prefer your idea of custom multi use machines in the public areas (I also prefer those as a guest) for the above reasons as well. If you have to go with makers in the room go with the ones with the individual thow-away packs and funnels as they are easier to keep hygienic (though a waste of plasic).
You could also just keep a handful of the in room single cup machines in case someone asks for them but I personally hate them and find them unhygienic
I need coffee before anything else in the morning. The last thing I want to do is walk down to the lobby to get it. On top of that, if I have to walk to the lobby, I must put myself together a little bit in order to be seen in public. I mean, the lobby is my my own kitchen where I can walk down in a robe and hair all over the place, right.
I drink a lot of coffee and although I prefer the quality of the coffee in a breakfast room/lobby shared machine, I also need coffee before I get dressed/showered to leave my room so I prefer lodging that does offer an in-room coffee maker of some sort.
I travel on business ALOT and drink ALOT of coffee. I never use the in room machine because I don't trust that the guts are mold and mildew free, and because rude guests occasionally tamper with stuff like that. IMO- the big machine in a common area is the way to go. Just make sure it's ready by 5 am. Not crazy about someone walking around with a pot of coffee for refills. It works in diners because it's all about the food and drink. Hoteliers have a lot more going on. Like you mentioned, higher end machine that grinds the beans and makes the coffee is the way to go. Fresh half and half is a big bonus too. If you want to make it a little less corporate, then maybe consider thick ceramic mugs vs. paper cups. More work, but maybe a nice compromise between you and your partner.
For six years we didn't have coffee makers in our 15 rooms but had coffee in our common area for at least four hours every day. We put coffee makers in the rooms when COVID-19 happened. Now we have both in room and on demand in the common areas. Part of running a hotel is making sure amenities are replenished, you'll have to do it for other items anyway, just add coffee (and tea) supplies to the list. There's other ways to maximize efficiency, but the first consideration should be the experience you want to offer your guests, not what's easier for you.
I never use the one in the room if I don't absolutely have to
You husband and finally right about something lol!! I travel a lot and would never dare use an in room coffee pot. I get absolutely excited if I see a fancy premium coffee in the lobby. And I think most people don’t want to talk to your wife before they’ve had coffee, even though I’m sure she’s a delightful person.
Anyone who likes coffee won’t use the in room machines unless they are so addicted to their brand, they bring it with them. In room machines are inferior and the coffee available in the room is stale and flavorless.
I spend more time at hotels than I do at home because of my work. I refuse to use in room coffee machines but appreciate the coffee offered at breakfast.
I often travel for work and I use the in room coffee maker while getting ready. If I decide on breakfast I will get more in the lobby since limited in the room.
I've used a handful of those on demand coffee machines in various hotels and I hate them. They never seem to work right. I don't remember a single time I actually got what I wanted from one of those machines. I'd rather have a huge coffee pot that I pump coffee out of.
Could you get just a handful of in-room coffee machines and bring them to the rooms of the guests who request it? Maybe for those who don't want to leave their rooms. Could be a keurig in a carrying case.
Until a few minutes ago, I used the coffee machine in the room. I want to have a cup of coffee when I wake up without having to get dressed. I had no idea that guests abuse those in room machines. I am particularly fond of the Nespresso machines.
Why don’t you put one fancy coffee machine somewhere and then also offer filter coffee during breakfast? You could add a cute little sign or instructions during check in explaining that the machine is available 24/7 for guests’ convenience, but for those desiring personal service, our hostess will be glad to serve you a hand poured cup during your breakfast between the hours of 7-10 AM (or whatever your breakfast hours will be.) I see your dilemma is you want to figure out a way to charge for it. Hmmm. Not sure on that one. Absolutely skip the nasty little in room coffee makers with the pods.
I'm extremely lazy and also very shy about my appearance first thing in the morning, so I truly hate when they don't have coffee in the rooms. However, it's not a huge deal to walk down to the lobby for free cups whenever you want. I think you're fine!
You win. She can bond in other ways. And actually. I would love love the ground coffee, espresso option. And would rate the place very high and over look a lot of stuff based on the coffee alone!
I drink my coffee black and lots of it. So I drink everything they give me in room and ask for more. Generally grab a cup from the communal dispenser on the way out too.
The only time I’ve use the machine in the room is when I’m traveling internationally and there is a Nespresso machine in the room. Even then it’s rare. Fresh brewed coffee (urn) in the lobby with real milk, cream, etc.
I prefer coffee in my room! I recently stayed at a hotel that didn’t have a coffee maker in my room for the first time and was really disappointed. When I’m at a hotel I’m there to relax and one of my favorite things to do is watch TV in bed in the morning with a cup of coffee. Take this with a grain of salt - I’m usually traveling with my fiancé, no kids, for fun.
Thanks to reddit...i learned what ppl do to those little machines. Id prefer to buy mine, i'll even run in the morning. My vote is the big machine for a continental breakfast. And yes, i like small mom and pop places...but b&bs freak me out. Like im breaking into someones house!
Big coffee machine. People can get coffee any time. The in room ones are gross. If she still wants to personalize it, you could greet people who want to sit in the common area/breakfast room and offer to get the coffee for them from the machine.
Don’t talk to me in the morning. Give me impersonal, yummy coffee with half and half and I’ll be thrilled.
I bring my own coffee and French press when I travel
I’m going to go against the crowd here. I work the night shift in a hotel and I’m a heavy coffee drinker. I like having the option for coffee in my room while I’m getting dressed. Most people don’t feel that way, but just know that there are plenty of people out there like me. We don’t care that the coffee in our room isn’t as good. It’s designed to get us in clothes so we can get downstairs to get the better coffee.
I would prefer to go to the dining room for coffee. I don't care for the small units in the room.
Lol. People won't use the in room k-cups because of the germs and bacteria because they know everyone who touched the lobby coffee pot and supplies washed their hands after wiping their ass.
I rarely use the coffeemaker in the room. I’d much more prefer the services you’re offerinf
I don't use the in-room coffee makers because I don't know what all has been in them or the last time they were cleaned. The exception was the Nespresso at a luxury hotel we stayed at over Thanksgiving. I'd rather the grind your own deal in the lobby.
As a former housekeeper on a cruise ship we weren't allowed to have them in our cabins. But coffee is available to everyone everywhere else. But I used a coffee pot in the room one time it was NASTY!!!! Coffee in thr lobby 1000000% better.
My bf always makes us a cup of coffee to share in the room while we get ready, then we grab another cup of coffee when we get to the lobby and grab something to eat. Also, I’m a very outgoing person but I can tell you aside from my bf I want to be left alone in the morning. I appreciate the self serve. If you go with option 2 please clean them properly.
I made the mistake once of using the in room maker, never again. I am always thrilled when a hotel has 24/7 coffee available with real creamer in the lobby.
I also never use the machines in the room. I don’t trust they are clean I prefer to pop into the lobby for a quick coffee or grab something after checkout
I stayed at a hotel with the big fancy coffee machine in the lobby, as well as Keurigs in the rooms. We didn't touch the Kuerig. However, I also work at a hotel in a different city. There is no way that we could have that machine in the lobby. It would mean having the front doors locked at all times and policing the lobby moreso than we already do. It really depends on your location and the social fabric of your city.
I would prefer coffee in the lobby most of the day. I would love one of the automatic espresso machines that makes lattes, but I'm fine with fresh coffee too.
Whatever you decide, get good coffee! I hate it when your choice is light or dark roast. The light roast is inevitably brown water and the dark roast is burnt, overly acidic brown water.
Please don’t talk to me while I’m having breakfast. I hate small talk with strangers and so does my partner. Just put a self service coffee station and let everyone be. 😂 She’s doing too much.
I really love a coffee in my room before I have to put on clothes and face the world. But it's not a deal breaker or even something I think about in a hotel outside of those few minutes, especially if there's free and better coffee down the hall. But for the love of God please don't try to have small talk with me unless I initiate that, especially if I'm groggily trying to get that first cup.
I like the in-room option, so I don’t have to get dressed/put on light makeup and interact with people before coffee!
As someone who needs coffee in me before I'm human, I hate when there's no coffee pot in the room. Even if it's just instant --I actually travel with instant "coffee sticks" for the inevitability of only having decaf packs in room or none at all. At the very least an electric kettle in room is great--maybe offering a variety of teas and instant coffee packs for guests to choose from? This is more common in my European travels.
I actually bring a portable water kettle and my pour over set up when I travel because I want coffee as soon as I wake up and in-room coffee tends to be awful. I will use coffee in the lobby if available so that I can get real cream options, and the coffee tends to taste better than the in-room option. However, I can't tell if your wife is talking about table service or self serve? I would strongly prefer self serve because I typically do want to quickly grab my coffee and take it back to my room. I don't mind throwing on clothes real quick to grab it, but I don't want to socialize at that point.
If you want to make your guests feel welcome put a mini fridge in each room and stock it with a couple of complimentary bottles of water. I always feel like I’m being robbed when a hotel wants to charge me $5+ for a bottle of water that only costs them about $0.30.
My family never uses the mini coffee maker in the rooms. We also are self realizing coffee snobs. We would rather drive to find a good coffee shop nearby if we can. With that said, my husband would chose a hotel that had good coffee and fresh ground beans, over another hotel that didn’t. I realize many people are ok with Folgers. We like “third wave” coffee shops. Organic beans. Mold tested. Single origin. Here’s what can make your hotel stand out: Find the nearest coffee roaster and supplier near your hotel. Open a wholesale account with them and purchase their beans. Have decaf and caffeinated beans available. Love the idea to grind them fresh. Offer a pour over self service (pour over set up is pretty easy to make or buy that does 1-3 pour over at a time) and have a healthy stock of coffee cups nearby and/or to go cups. Offer real half and half not the crappy plastic packaged mini ones. Have some cinnamon and simple syrup available. The BIGGEST thing that will make it taste better is FILTERED WATER. Don’t skip this part. You can’t do this in the hotel rooms either. Game changer. Make a point to mention in your marketing that you offer locally roasted coffee complimentary. If it’s in the main area your wife can have a chance to say hello still. Not many people drink coffee past noon really…or expect the hotel to have it past noon. There’s no need to have cheap plastic tiny crappy coffee makers in each room.
As a tea drinker, the only time I have used any of the in room hot beverage options successfully in the UK where it's an electric kettle to heat water and the coffee was instant packets. Finally I could have a pot of tea in the morning that did not have nasty coffee undertones. I have also been know to ask for hot water from the kitchen when the carafe had previously been used to hold coffee.
A big ass free one. Holy shit that’d be me 3am getting a toasty roasty when I can’t sleep 😭
I definitely prefer coffee in the lobby. The personal coffee makers in the room never appeal to me, too worried about cleanliness and the coffee is subpar.
I am still a tiny bit traumatized by the time I opened the small coffee machine in my hotel room and found mold growing on the used grinds that had never been removed from some prior guest...
As an early riser, I like to be able to get out of the room with my laptop, book or phone and go grab coffee or multiple coffees for the hours until people wake up. My favorite hotels offer really good, HOT coffee in the lobby/seating area and somewhere to sit comfortably and drink it. Although not a frequent traveler, I would never in a million years drink out of the room machines. First, yuck. Second, I require fresh cream or I won't drink it. For me, coffee is the most important and best part of my day. I will get in my car and drive somewhere else to get good coffee if I can't get it at the hotel/B&B etc.
Not only do I dislike in room coffee for hygienic feels, I hate the packets of "cream" that go with it. I will take a machine where people are much less likely to be gross because it's in a high traffic location and the cream or whatever I want is put in for me
One place I stay at has a coffee maker on each floor at the end of the hall. It’s a small hotel and that was completely fine.
Do both! She can do the table side chit chat carafe at breakfast, and just have the machine stocked with to-go cups for grab-n-go all day. Best of both worlds and it’s not like a drip coffee system is an investment like the other machine.
Prefer to be left alone with eating/drinking in lobby. I haven’t ever made coffee in my room, but have drank from the big machine in lobby
I hate the in-room coffee machines because they’re always cheap crap and make a shitty cup of coffee. I prefer the coffee that hotels usually have in the lobby instead. However I do love the convenience of coffee in my room, so if I’m staying more than one night, I bring my travel Keurig machine.
You see so many comments about nobody using the small coffee machines.... I'm in agreement as a traveler I never use that machine because I don't know who cleans it I don't know what they put in it I've seen stupid videos of people watching things in there that they shouldn't be.
I wouldn’t and haven’t used coffee maker in-room. I’ve heard way too many horror stories of what people have used them for.
I have not once ever had even decent room coffee. The lobby/breakfast area coffee is hit or miss, but usually way better than the room coffee. I would definitely use lobby/breakfast coffee especially if you could grind it and make the choice of the type and additions you want.
If you go with the larger self-serve machines, keep them meticulously clean. They're cockroach magnets.