Does Coffee Cost Money at Hotels? (Free Coffee Everyone!)

I’ve always assumed coffee in your hotel room is free, but you know what they say about assumption. So is coffee really complimentary in the big hotel chains?

Coffee in large hotel chains is generally complimentary, which means it comes free of charge with the room. However, this may not include the cookies, chips and other soft drinks supplied. Coffee in smaller boutique and family-run hotels may not be free of charge.

Let’s dive down into this topic in greater detail, and discover where amongst the big hotel chains you can get your coffee for free (well kind of as you still have to pay for the room!)…

Does Coffee Cost Money at Hotels?

Can I Take the Coffee From My Hotel Room? (Free of Charge)

The general hotel etiquette is that if something is “complimentary” (hotel speak for “free of charge”), you can take it with you when you check out.

So what can you take from your hotel room without paying for it? Things like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, creamer, and sugar are usually fine to scoop up into your suitcase.

In the bathroom, those mini bottles of shampoo, body lotion, and shower gel are fine to take, too. 

Hotel stationery is OK  to take from your room as well. Indeed, the hotel is more than happy that you use their logo-ed pen at work because it’s cheap advertising for them.

Free hotel stationery can be pens, pencils, writing pads, envelopes, and even picture postcards of the hotel.

Most other items (and yes, that does include the towels) should be left behind. If in doubt, just ask a member of staff at the reception desk – we know that those packs of hotel slippers can be a gray area.

Bathrobes are available to take only if you’re staying somewhere very upscale, and in those cases, the hotel will make sure that you know.

OK, so we’re fine to stock up with coffee when we leave most hotels. One word of warning: just be careful when packing up those hotel room treats, because while the coffee and creamer are typically free of charge, the cookies and chips right next to them might not be.

By the time you get to the hotel reception to check out, those snacks will have been added to your final bill.

Which Hotels Give You Free Coffee?

Coffee is complimentary in most hotels. The ability to make yourself a nice fresh cup of joe in your room is regarded as one of those essential hotel comforts.

Check in, and before you even unpack, get that hotel room coffee machine up and running. The aroma of freshly brewing coffee already makes it feels like home.

If you’ve never used a hotel coffee maker before, here’s a look at how you make a hotel brew away from your own kit and kitchen.

And here’s an extra travelers’ tip: run a cycle through the coffee maker before you brew your first cup, just to give the machine a clean out with hot water.

And thinking of water, we know that it can affect the taste of your brew. If you’re not sure what the water is going to be like in your hotel room, you can always bring mineral water with you – or indeed, bottled water may also be provided for free by the hotel.

So you can feel extra confident before you check in, we’ve checked out some of the US’s major hotel chains’ free coffee policies.

Is Coffee Complimentary at Hyatt Hotels?

Yes, you’ll get free coffee in your Hyatt Hotel room, along with use of your own coffee maker during your stay.

Some rooms may also have mini refrigerators (check when booking) so you can store fresh cream or milk to enjoy with your coffee.

Is Coffee Free in Disney Hotel Rooms?

Disney Hotels do provide free tea and coffee in their hotel guest rooms, yes. Most Disney Hotel guest rooms and suites come with a coffee maker and complimentary coffee pods.

If you’re staying at a Disney Value Hotel, however, you probably won’t have access to your own in-room coffee maker, and may have to purchase your coffee from the lobby.

In which case, go for the bottomless coffee cup in the restaurant, and enjoy lots of delicious free refills. 

Is Coffee Free in Marriott Hotels?

Tea, coffee, sugar, and creamer are free for guests in Marriott Hotel rooms. However, be aware that other items left in their rooms aren’t, even if they’re located near the coffee.

The snack bar tray is weighed by sensor, so if you consume anything, it will register at reception as missing and you will be charged. 

Is Coffee Complimentary in Hampton Inn Hotel Rooms?

Yes, you should get your complimentary coffee at a Hampton Inn, along with an in-room coffee maker to brew it in. Some hotels have refrigerators and microwaves in their guest rooms, too.

If you prefer your coffee to be a bit more sociable, there’s usually a brew in the lobby as well, along with a complimentary newspaper (when available)

Is Coffee Free at the Holiday Inn?

Yes. To create a real “home from home” feeling, Holiday Inn installs Keurig coffee makers in its guest rooms. We really do like this idea: a nice, easy way to get a good cup of coffee while you’re away.

Holiday Inn seems proud of its good coffee offer, with the machines clearly on display in the online hotel photos. We definitely think it succeeds in making their accommodation look inviting.

Is Coffee Free in Sheraton Hotels?

You’ll get free coffee in your Sheraton Hotel room. Incidentally, we’ve heard that these hotels are really good if you’ve forgotten something like a toothbrush, and will provide you with a complimentary one if you ask.

The takeaway here is: don’t assume you won’t get something for free just because it isn’t already in your room. If you need something, it’s always worth asking at the desk.

Is Coffee Free in Hotel Rooms?
Is Coffee Free in Hotel Rooms?

Is Coffee Free in Hilton Hotel Rooms?

Hilton Hotels provide free coffee in their guest rooms, along with a Keurig coffee maker. Some Hilton hotels even provide you with an exclusive Hilton coffee blend, made from a mix of Arabica coffee beans.

I’m tempted to check into a Hilton just to check this one out. 🙂

Is Coffee Complimentary in Quality Inn Hotel Rooms?

This Choice Hotel brand does generally offer coffee in its rooms, we believe. If you’re ever not sure (and this goes for all the hotels we’re looking at here), it’s worth dropping them an email or giving the hotel a ring, just to be sure.

It’s always good to know what you’re getting, (or equally what you’re not!). 🙂

100 Hotels That Offer Free Coffee To Guests

Hotel Chain
Aparium Hotels
Accor
Aloft Hotels
Americas Best Value Inn
Arlo Hotels
B Hotels & Resorts
Baymont Inn & Suites
Benchmark Resorts & Hotels
Best Western
Cambria Hotels
Candlewood Suites
Canopy by Hilton
Charlestowne Hotels
Choice Hotels
Club Quarters Hotels
Coast Hotels
Comfort Inn & Suites
Courtyard by Marriott
Days Inn by Wyndham
Destination Hotels
DoubleTree by Hilton
Dream Hotel Group
Drury Hotels
Econo Lodge
Element Hotels
Embassy Suites by Hilton
EVEN Hotels
Extended Stay America
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
Four Points by Sheraton
Graduate Hotels
Greystone Hotels
Hampton Inn by Hilton
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham
Hersha Hospitality Trust
Hilton
Home2 Suites by Hilton
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Hotel Indigo
Hotel RL
Hotel Zaza
Howard Johnson by Wyndham
Hyatt
Hyatt Centric
Independent Collection Hotels
Innside by Melia
Inns of Aurora
InterContinental Hotels Group
Joie de Vivre Hotels
Joie de Vivre Hotels
Kimpton Hotels
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Knights Inn
La Quinta Inns & Suites
Langham Hospitality Group
Lark Hotels
Leading Hotels of the World
Le Meridien
Library Hotel Collection
Loews Hotels & Co
Marriott
Marriott Autograph Collection
Melia Hotels International
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham
Montage Hotels & Resorts
Motel 6
Motel One
Provenance Hotels
Quality Inn & Suites
Radisson Hotels
Ramada by Wyndham
Red Lion Hotels
Red Lion Inn & Suites
Red Roof Inn
Redwood Hotels & Suites
Residence Inn by Marriott
Rodeway Inn
Sage Hospitality
Sheraton
Sleep Inn
Sonesta Hotels & Resorts
SpringHill Suites by Marriott
Staybridge Suites
Super 8 by Wyndham
The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
Travelodge
Tru by Hilton
Virgin Hotels
Westin
Wingate by Wyndham
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts