Charge for In-Room Coffee at ES
 

I am at an Embassy Suites outside Washington, DC. I was last at this hotel two years ago, so it was my surprise to see purchase items on the wet bar. There is a large bottle of Voss water for $5. What shocks me, however, is a $2 charge to use one of the coffee packets for the in-room machine. I don't think I have come across any Hilton family hotels yet who have charged for in-room coffee, let alone a major brand (even a Fairmont I stayed at had free K-cups for the in-room machine). This is also in a suburban area, not a major city. Of course, you can go get free coffee during breakfast in the lobby, but that makes this even more strange.

Has anyone else seen this in their travels to Hilton brands?

What property?

The more specifics you provide, the better the information.

I have never seen a Nespresso or similar coffee machine in any Hilton :(

Charging for in room coffee is low, very low.

Higher end properties typically have them, particularly outside the US. Including most Conrads and WAs.

It is my experience that less expensive hotels give more freebies than upper end ones do.

Hilton Vacation Club gives one day only, directing guests to purchase more downstairs at their shop.

Every Hilton Garden Inn I have stayed at had a Keurig machine in the room and free K-Cups for it.

Seems particularly cheesy given that the property includes a full breakfast.

Post in TripAdvisor.

Room amenities and what is acceptable conduct do vary by region, e.g. US vs. Asia and one should never assume that properties include things which are included here.

But, for a mid-range property in the US which provides coffee with breakfast as an included item, to sell the stuff in the room is out the ordinary.

IIRC, Conrad Singapore has keurig/nespresso kind of machine, and free cups. I just assumed though since there's no price label on it like the one on fancy bottled water.

IMO those two products should not be discussed in the same sentence :)

I was just at Conrad Hong Kong and they have Nespresso.

I've never stayed in a hotel where they charge for Nespresso capsules. Though I do recall one (forget where) where they charged if you ask for extras.

This is an absolute shocker for me and something I've never experienced at any hotel I've been to either domestically or worldwide (and I make a point of using all the in-room coffee in my room). That's about as low as I've seen a hotel go (other than not including coffee maker in the room). What's next are they going to charge for using shampoo, conditioner and other toiletries in the bathroom?

On a side note, Nespresso vs Keurig thing really depends on where in the world you are. IME if you're staying at Hiltons in Canada/USA, it's almost always going to be a Keurig since that's the predominant single serve coffee maker over here. It's also somewhat difficult to procure Nespresso cartridges within NA (i.e. you need to be near a boutique or mail order them in which takes time). The only exception I could see for this would be in larger metropolitan areas like SF, where the boutiques are close enough to justify. Outside North America, it's almost always Nespresso since Nespresso has a worldwide cult following whereas Keurig doesn't...I don't even think you can buy a Keurig brewer in Europe!

Safe Travels,

James