Making A Decent Cup Of Coffee In A Hotel Room

Hotel Room Coffee That Doesn't Suck I’m in Tucson this weekend for the Members-Only Workshop being put on be the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. The hotel is gorgeous, the weather beautiful, the company fantastic. But I’ve got a problem, and that’s my caffeine addiction.

See, my morning ritual begins with a cup of coffee at home. On the road, I have the choice of either doing without it entirely or slogging down to the hotel coffee shop for my morning fix. After all, those little coffee makers in hotel rooms … well, they suck. Coffee comes out thin, tasteless, and makes me even more ornery than I was when I woke up.

I found a fix awhile ago and wanted to share it. I’d give attribution but I’ve forgotten who told me. If it was an online source it was probably Lifehacker, but who knows?

First, run your water through the coffee machine without any coffee.

Second, run the hot water back through the machine – this time with the coffee.

I think the problem is that the heating mechanism in these cheapo coffee machines doesn’t bring the water to a temperature sufficient to release the flavor from the coffee grinds. But once you heat it and then re-run it through, the water is at a far better level.

I’ve just made my morning cup and am enjoying it before hitting the speaking circuit this morning, and I can tell you it works just fine.

Photo courtesy of svanes.

jennisawday

Excellent idea! I hate those little machines too. Grrrr.

Lewis Roberts

What is more troubling is how do they wash the mugs that are provided in the room? I find it disturbing that the same mug was in my room the whole weekend. (There was a chip in the mug in the same spot - so same mug.)

Jim Shepherd

Jay, I feel your pain. Here's another trick I've used: don't stop with just one of those paper/coffee packets, put in 2 or even 3! The flavor isn't any better but you'll get a better kick out of your cup.

Cheers,
Jim Shepherd

Law Offices of James Shepherd
514 El Cerrito Plaza
El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 527-9600
shepherd.jim@gmail.com

Wm Paul Slough

I recommend an Aeropress ($25) or even a small single-cup Melitta cone ($5). Both are very travel friendly and you can usually get hot water via a microwave at the hotel; use a small thermometer to make sure it's between 160-180.

A common misconception is that you want boiling hot water; not true, you'll scorch the coffee and it'll taste burned. Many of these little coffee pots actually make it too hot.

JayFleischman

Paul, you hit the nail on the head - 160-180 degrees is optimal. I have long yearned for a Technivorm Moccamaster, which is the gold standard among coffee fanatics. It's too rich for my wallet, but someday ...