Coffee still the most popular grab-and-go beverage option

No grab-and-go hotel operation is complete without a selection of beverages for guests to choose from. According to Danny Williams, GM of the Wyndham Orlando Resort – International Drive, coffee is king.

“We have different coffee drinks and they are certainly the most popular item all day long,” he said. “The cold coffees and the flavored coffees, those are extremely popular with a wide variety of guests.”

The Wyndham Orlando serves Starbucks products, everything from chai tea to espresso.

“Anything you would expect to have at a regular coffee bar we have available at our grab-and-go,” Williams said.

Plain coffee also remains popular, and the Wyndham offers a shortcut for those who don’t require a specialty brew.

“We have a coffee station with the coffee in thermal containers so people can serve their own coffee and they don’t have to wait,” Williams said. “They can get their decaf or regular coffee, cream, whatever they like.”

In fact, daily consumption of espresso-based beverages has nearly tripled since 2008, according to the National Coffee Association’s 2016 National Coffee Drinking Trends report. The report also showed that between 2008 and 2016, consumption of gourmet coffee beverages soared from 13 percent to 36 percent among 18-24 year olds, and from 19 percent to 41 percent for those 25-39.

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While coffee is the king of grab-and-go beverages, at Magnuson Hotel properties, the most popular selections are bottled water and soda, according to company CEO Thomas Magnuson. Many of the brand’s hotels do offer coffee, though, along with cappuccino and juices.

The Wyndham I-Drive also offers juices in its grab-and-go area.

Hilton Worldwide properties offer a variety of beverage options, according to Jonathan Wilson, VP, product innovation and brand services. It’s Herb N’ Kitchen urban market at Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties offers soda fountain options, wine and craft beer. The company’s Hampton by Hilton Treats areas include locally sourced and classic domestic beers and wine offerings.

Hotels that carry Hilton’s Canopy by Hilton flag (the first one opened last month in Reykjavik, Iceland), will host complimentary tastings of local craft beer, wines or spirits at the lobby bar, which guests can fit into their grab-and-go plans.

And of course, coffee and specialty coffee drinks are also on offer at Hilton properties.