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I don't believe I have ever stayed at a hotel in Europe that has had free coffee in the lobby. But there have been a few that have had in-room coffee makers. I think you going to have to settle on coffee served in the breakfast room.

Most of the Rick Steves recommendations I have stayed at have coffee available in the breakfast room, not the lobby.

Does that mean I have to order and pay for it or it's free but just in a different location than the lobby--maybe I just assumed he meant the lobby.

Thanks

Depending on the hotel and the rate you pay, breakfast will be included (your room rate will say whether it is). If it is, there is typically a separate "breakfast room" off the lobby (some of which are quite nice) that has a basic breakfast including unlimited coffee. As Rick says, breakfast is about the only time of the day you can count on free coffee refills.

I think your friend meant the lobby. A lot of chain hotels here in the US have coffee available in the lobby around the clock; he/she may have been referring to this. But this isn't common practice in Europe, except maybe at more expensive business class hotels.

He was speaking of Europe. I'm guessing he must have stayed in higher end hotels.

I agree with Schneider. I have never seen free coffee in the hotel lobby other than in the breakfast room during breakfast hours. Last September we were in the Intercontinental In London -- about as high end as it gets -- no coffee and no breakfast -- and no free internet but would allow fifteen minutes to print boarding pass -- generous at 300 pounds a night.

Thanks everyone. I'm back to making in room coffee plans.

We leave in 30 days so I'm getting serious about packing plans.

Connie: Occasionally I've brought along a dual-voltage immersion heater just for that purpose, along with single-serving coffee packets. (Folger's, and probably other brands, make them. They're like tea bags, but w/coffee. Slightly better tasting than instant coffee.). This, of course, tastes nowhere near as good as the "real" stuff you can get once you hit a nearby cafe. But if you absolutely need something first thing before you leave your room, it's an option.

I, like you, must have coffee as soon as I get up. I've tried immersion heaters in the past but had to use either instant or "bag" coffee. Not very tasty.

There are, however, travel single cup coffee makers that brew coffee. They weigh about a pound and pack down to a small size.

The one I have was made my Franzus bus is no longer made. I've seen two on the market online...check out Magellans.com and Packinglight.net

Just go down to the breakfast room and take cup back to the room. Why would you want to start your day in Europe with a cup of coffee slightly better than instant.. Life is too short to drink bad coffee.

Amen Frank!

Connie, I know you "need" that cuppa so inquire with the hotel when you arrive, and ask where you can get a free (or paid) cup.

Many nicer hotels (as people posted) have a kettle in the room. In my last few times in London I always had a kettle. However, in Milan, Munich and Barcelona, there were no kettles. It depends where you are.

Please don't make coffee in your room if you are going to be in Italy. Just walk out of the lobby turn left or right, go 50 feet and you will find a bar that can make you a fantastic cup in seconds. It just seems a bit sad, drinking nasty instant coffee in your hotel room. Also why would you want to take up precious packing space with a portable water heater, cups, and coffee packs? Most hotels should have breakfast included, and that means coffee.

The only hotel ever had coffee was in Bruselle, but it was part of the free breakfast included in the price of the hotel. 80 EUR in 2002.

I know I could go outside the hotel and get a great cup of coffee but the point is I want one right after I wake up before I do anything. I don't really want to have to go downstairs to get it but willing to.

My sweet dh is great about going to get me coffee if there is no coffeemaker in the room but he won't be on this trip. Don't worry, I will most certainly get a 2nd cup of coffee from a cafe.

Connie, you remind me a little of a poster last year on this site who advised everyone to bring instant coffee, cup, and a heater so that they could avoid the horrible stuff that was served as coffee in Italy. She didn't have a decent cup of coffee her entire trip. For us -- it was the reverse. After our first trip to Italy nearly 20 years ago, we had not bought a single pound of canned, ground coffee since we return. Have our own grinder, expresso machine -- and never looked back. Ya -- it is more work but it worth it. It is all personal preference so enjoy your coffee.

Frank, believe me, I love good coffee and am looking forward to great Italian coffee. I buy only whole beans and have a machine that grinds and brews. It's a lot of trouble cleaning the maching a lot more often than a regular coffee maker but so worth it. I'm thinking when this one wears out I'm going to get an espresso machine.

I do the same as you Connie. I travel with a small travel coffeemaker. I usually buy local coffee beans and have the store grind them for me. This way, I can get up in the morning, have a quick cup of decent coffee while I watch the news on TV. (I'm going to get hell for staying in hotels that have TV's and also watching the news. You do what you want on your vacation and I'll do what I want.)

But back to coffee, I'm not a morning person and it takes me awhile to get going. So, after my cup in the room, I then get dressed and go out for a second, or third cup of local coffee along with breakfast.

I just oredered a new travel coffeemaker made by Voltage Valet. It's dual voltage and "brews" an eight ounce cup of coffee. It weighs about a pound.

And for those who now want to complain about the extra weight---how about that full size laptop you insist on..or curling iron....or bulky camera equipment. You take what you want and I'll take what I want.

Thanks for letting me vent

Thanks, Frank, I'm going to look up that coffee maker.