Rich hotels’ poor coffee policies

By Serkan Oral

I saw Hospitality’s top brands at the iconic Arabian Travel Market Dubai 2025.
However, we witness that many hotels that make huge investments, luxury buildings and offer great tastes do not offer quality speciality coffee.

Well known hotel brands actually consume cheaper coffee beans instead of serving Speciality Coffee.
They often fail to serve quality coffee to customers.
Ok, I ll tell you the difference.
Large equipment is used to roast commercial coffee in bulk while specialty coffee is roasted in small quantities to prevent the burning.
I visited top brands and talked with high level management at ATM Dubai 2025.
Many business meetings, interviews and dates take place in a hotel lobby; the go-to drink is usually coffee.

The lobby of a five-star hotel is a sensory place. Lavish décor highlighted by rich lighting; a myriad of accents mingled with ambient music.

And you can not find specality coffee at these big hotels.

I am in a five-star hotel guy, I am expecting to receive an excellent coffee.

Unfortunately, I didn’t. It was a bitter disappointment.

Nowon I ll judge a hotel by its coffee.

Why hotels do not pay more attention to the type of coffee they serve?
If you have taste you search for the best, even in a hotel.

People should start asking, “How can it be so difficult to find good coffee in a place where everything else is of the highest standard?

Specialty coffee is growing in popularity, and more people are interested in the craftsmanship that transformed the coffee bean into the superb substance that fills their cup.

Mostly hotels have a wine/champagne list with names such as Krug and Dom Pérignon, and some even have a water list, but a coffee list? – A coffee menu? No.

They are away of the world of specialty coffee.

You are expecting high-grade coffee, after all this is a high-class establishment. Your coffee arrives, and it is unexceptional.

Huge investment hotels where I have stayed, served coffee made from Robusta beans, very low-quality Arabica blends

They say some even used coffee in capsules!

Most hotels use low-quality capsule coffee because it is easier for them to manage and cost-effective. While this may work in 3-star hotels, I believe it is unacceptable in a 5-star luxury hotel.

The annual business-to-business exhibition takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
I visited several 5 star hotels places.
And ı have chance to talk on coffee and modern f&b issue.
I m not happy with my hearings.
But they are going to think on for to serve or even keep speciality coffee beans at their lobbies.

Organised in collaboration with Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2025’s strategic partners include the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as Destination Partner; Emirates as Official Airline Partner; IHG Hotels & Resorts as Official Hotel Partner.

Arabian Travel Market reflects Dubai’s position as a leading global hub for tourism, travel and hospitality. Jumeirah, Rixos, Marriot, Rotana, Mandarin, Four Seasons, Kempinski, Armani Hotels… etc.

And hope to connect Speciality Coffee and luxury brands in the near future.