Coffee Makers in Vacation Rentals: What to Include, What to Avoid, and How to Prevent Complaints About Coffee

It may seem trivial, but coffee is one of the things guests mention most in reviews. And almost always negatively. Whether the coffee maker doesn't work, there are no capsules, the coffee was bad, or they didn't know how to use it. In this post, I tell you which coffee maker to put depending on your type of apartment, how much each option costs, and the common mistakes that can turn a €30 detail into a lower average rating.

Why Coffee Matters More Than You Think

The guest arrives tired. The next morning, they get up, look for the coffee maker, and this is the first real moment of the day. If it works and the coffee is decent, they start the day happy. If not, you already have half a negative review in their mind.

It's the same principle as with WiFi or hot water: when it works well, no one mentions it. When it goes wrong, everyone talks about it.

And note, you don't need to buy a €400 coffee machine. You need to put something that works, is easy to use, and has coffee available. That's all.

Types of Coffee Makers and Which Fits Your Apartment

There's no single answer. It depends on the type of guest, the nightly price, and how much you want to complicate things. Let's go step by step.

Italian Coffee Maker (Moka)

The classic. Cheap (between €15 and €30), rarely breaks, and makes decent coffee. The problem: many foreign guests don't know how to use it. They will write to you at 8 a.m. asking how it works.

Advantage: lasts for years and ground coffee is cheap. Disadvantage: learning curve and if left on the stove without water, it gets damaged.

Capsule Coffee Maker (Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, and similar)

The most convenient option for guests. You press a button and that's it. Machine cost: between €60 and €120 for basic models.

The problem is the capsules. If you leave few, guests complain. If you leave many, they take them. Plus, they are expensive (between €0.30 and €0.45 per capsule). If you have high occupancy, this adds up.

Note: cheaper compatible capsules can jam some machines. If you use Nespresso, it's better to use Nespresso capsules or well-known compatible brands.

Drip Coffee Maker (Filter)

The typical American style. Cheap (€30-€50), easy to use, and makes coffee for several cups. Good for family apartments or groups.

The problem: filter coffee isn't liked by everyone in Spain, and Spanish guests often find it weak. It usually works well for international guests.

Manual or Automatic Espresso Machine

The bar style. Forget it unless you have a luxury apartment over €200 per night. They are expensive (decent ones start at €300), require maintenance, guests break them, and cleaning is a nightmare.

Quick Comparison

Type	Machine Cost	Coffee Cost	Ease of Use	Duration
Moka	€15-€30	€0.10	Medium-Low	5+ years
Capsules	€60-€120	€0.30-€0.45	Very high	2-4 years
Drip	€30-€50	€0.08	High	3-5 years
Espresso	€300+	€0.15	Low-Medium	Depends on use

Which Coffee Maker to Put Depending on Your Apartment Type

Budget Apartment (less than €80 per night)

A Moka or drip coffee maker. Ground coffee in an airtight container, sugar, and long-life milk in the cupboard. Total investment: €40-€60, and almost zero cost per stay.

Leave a short note explaining how to use the Moka. Seriously, do it. You'll save many messages.

Mid-range Apartment (€80-€150 per night)

Nespresso or Dolce Gusto capsules. Leave 4-6 capsules for short stays, more if the stay is long. Indicate in the welcome manual where the nearest supermarket is to buy more.

Also check our welcome manual guide to structure this info well.

Luxury or High-end Apartment (more than €150 per night)

Here, expectations are higher. A good premium capsule machine or even a super-automatic if you want to impress. Variety of capsules, fresh milk in the fridge (or high-quality long-life), sugar, sweetener, and decent cups.

The Most Costly Common Mistakes

1. Not Leaving Coffee

Classic. You put a beautiful capsule machine but leave not a single capsule. Or leave two for four guests over three nights. Count on at least 2 coffees per person per day.

2. Incompatible Capsules

Original Nespresso only accepts Nespresso capsules (or well-made compatible ones). Dolce Gusto only accepts Dolce Gusto. Mixing them causes machine failure. Guests think the machine is broken.

3. Not Cleaning the Coffee Maker

Capsule machines need descaling every 2-3 months if there's high turnover. Otherwise, they produce lukewarm coffee or stop working. Set a calendar reminder.

Moka needs internal cleaning occasionally, especially the rubber parts. Otherwise, it tastes rancid.

4. Not Providing Instructions

A German guest doesn't need to know how to use a Moka. A Spanish guest might not know which capsules to use. A photo in the manual and a couple of lines solve 90% of problems.

5. Buying the Most Expensive Coffee Maker Thinking It Will Improve Reviews

No. What improves reviews is that it works, is easy to use, and has coffee. An €80 Nespresso with capsules ready to go gets better reviews than a €600 super-automatic that the guest doesn't know how to use.

The Real Cost of Maintaining Coffee in Your Apartment

Let's look at real numbers for an average occupancy (180 nights a year, 2 people per stay, average stay of 3 nights).

Concept	Annual Cost
Capsule coffee maker (amortized over 3 years)	€30
Capsules (about 700 per year)	€250-€300
Milk, sugar, sweetener	€60
Descaler and maintenance	€15
Total annually	€355-€405

With ground coffee and a Moka, costs drop to €100-€120 per year. The difference: guest comfort and fewer complaints.

Small tip: if you use capsules, buy large packs on sale (Amazon or supermarket). This reduces the capsule cost to €0.20-€0.25. For about 700 capsules a year, that's €70-€100 savings.

The Detail That Makes a Difference: Presentation

A nice basket or tray with capsules, sugar in sachets, a note "Good morning, enjoy your coffee," and decent cups (not the mismatched ones left from your house). That costs €20 and shows in review photos.

Cheap Ikea cups are perfect. Same, white, replaceable when broken. Forget collectible or full porcelain sets: they break, can't be replaced, and you'll end up with an unbalanced set.

Tea and Other Alternatives

Many people don't drink coffee. For €5, you can buy a box of assorted tea bags (black, green, chamomile, peppermint) and look professional. Also, a jar of cocoa or Cola Cao if your audience is family.

Also check which amenities increase the price and which are money pits to put this into context.

How Autoregistro Fits

While you're ensuring the coffee is good and the machine works, there's another thing that can't fail: the Travelers Registration in SES Hospedajes. Autoregistro is the simplest way to do it. Send a link to the guest, they fill out their details before arrival, and we send them to SES automatically. One euro per month per property (less than a coffee, hey), and you're done. No manual forms, no lost IDs, no surprises with inspections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to leave coffee free or can I charge extra?

It's standard to include it. Charging extra for capsules is more likely to hurt reviews than save money. If you want to limit, leave a fixed amount and indicate where to buy more.

What if the coffee maker gets stolen?

It happens, but rarely. Basic capsule machines are the most stolen. If you're worried, buy a mid-range one (€60-€80) and check it at each check-out. You might lose one in five years.

Should I leave ground coffee or beans?

Always ground coffee. Beans require a grinder, which makes noise, maintenance, and guests might not know how to use it. Ground coffee in an airtight container lasts perfectly 1-2 months after opening.

Should I have a kettle?

Yes, always. Costs €15, used by tea drinkers, those making bottles, and anyone needing hot water for anything. It's one of the best cost-utility items in the house.

What if the guest breaks the coffee maker?

If it's normal use (a part wears out), it's your cost. If it's evident misuse (like leaving the moka on the stove without water), you can deduct it from the deposit. Check our guide on managing damages and deposits to do it properly without hassle.