spcfa

I'm going to Portugal this year. Like most of the rest of Europe, the smaller hotels (generally) don't have coffee makers in the rooms, and I don't really want to spend 15 euros at breakfast each day just to get my coffee. So I've decided to sacrifice some valuable packing space to bring along my own. My initial idea is to bring along a small hot pot (Rival makes one that weighs very little), and a Melitta cone. But I am aware that there are also travel coffee makers, and even little immersion units. I would appreciate some suggestions from those of you who own either of these gadgets, or even if you have a better idea!

kybourbon

Is your Rival dual voltage? I have a little European immersion coil (220v w/euro style plug), but a relative has traveled with the mini coffee maker. He didn't mind carrying it around, but it's bigger than I would want to pack. With the immersion coil, you can use coffee bags (Folgers and Maxwell House make them) or pods (lots of brand available) after you get the water hot or boiling.

sheri_lp

Check your to see if they include the electric kettle, most of mine did and they usually have instant coffee packs. Failing that, one little immersion coil should cover you.

sheri_lp

that should be - check your hotel.

glaciermeadows

I have never spent a lot of money for a cup of coffee except maybe in San Marco Venice (but it is worth the price early in the morning when no one is around). Your hotel will probably have terrific coffee with a continental breakfast unless you are not eating there breakfast. I just got back from Japan and even in Tokyo the coffee was not that expensive and was very good. I am from Seattle so I am pretty particular. Also I love drinking espresso with the locals sitting outside in a beautiful plaza.

adrienne

E15 for breakfast in Portugal? I didn't even spend that much for dinner with wine! Coffee is about E1.25. You can have coffee and a pastry (savory or sweet) for E3 in Lisbon; less in smaller towns.

kayd

The use of heat appliances (irons, coffeemakers, hotpots, etc.) may be prohibited by local fire code or hotel policy in smaller, older hotels. I'd take the immersion coil and a sturdy ceramic mug, though.

Christina

hmm. I had a friend who made the mistake of ordering seconds in Japan (thinking it was free) and she ended up with a humongous coffee bill. well, I don't know, maybe it's cheap now, but coffee is more expensive in all of Europe than the US and I live in a big city. It's not quite as big a difference as it used to be, but maybe 25 pct more (the exchange rate is probably why). But in any case, coffee can get expensive and it's so simple, making your own in your room is a good way to save money, I think. I do it. I'm not so picky, but I need something to wake up in the morning, even if it isn't the best coffee in the world. And I need it ASAP.

So I think it's just perception as to what a lot is for a cup of coffee. I think 3-4 euro is a lot myself.

I use an electric coil when I travel, it works great in Europe because due to the diff. voltage it heats things up better than in the US, actually. I've been in a few hotels that had coffeemakers in Europe, but not many (some Mercure I was at did). If you are more picky about coffee (I just want a basic cup before I go out), you'd want the filter and drip thing. Actually, I buy a small jar of instant espresso at the supermarket in Paris, and it's a lot stronger than basic instant coffee.

LSky

Sometimes I get up really early so I always pack an immersion heater, a very hard plastic cup (light wieght doesn't break), coffee singles and some herbal tea.

elina

Isn´t hotel breakfast almost always included in the room price? I have travelled for over 40 years and the only places where I have made coffee (and breakfast) myself have been so called "apartment hotels" which have kitchen facilities in the rooms.

Or do they sell rooms on some different principles in the US?

I was in Lisbon less than a year ago. Breakfast was certainly included. And coffee was good. No extra pay.

simpsonc510

Scfa, I understand your desire for coffee in the morning. I want mine while I'm still in my jammies!! DH and I travel with a hot pot (which was purchased in Switzerland a few years ago so no issue with power cord) and also a Bodum plunge pot. We buy "real" Jamaica Blue Mountain beans, ground, at the Jelmoli Store in Zurich to carry along on our journey. No need to dress for breakfast when you have such wonderful coffee right in your own room!

(Elina) Hotel breakfast is certainly not always included with the price of a room in Europe. Next week at this time, we will be in Lucerne, and breakfast is definitely not included. We will buy rolls and deli items to have with our coffee!

Scfa, you can make coffee in your room, certainly, but if you bring a pot from home, make sure you have the appropriate adaptor and converter, so you don't burn up your USA pot. That's why I bought the Swiss pot! But I still have to have an adaptor because the pot has a 3-prong plug which doesn't fit everywhere.

nytraveler

IMHO you are best off going out to a local cafe and getting a decent cup of coffee from fresh-ground beans than dragging all that stuff along with you - plus converter etc - to get fake coffee.

spcfa

I was in Berlin last year and in order to get a cup of coffee had to take the breakfast, which was actually 17 euros. What I'm looking for is a cup of coffee even while I'm still in my PJs. I looked at immersion units on Amazon and people complain bitterly about their unreliability, but I think that's people using a 110V or a dual. I've also looked at ordering a 220V kettle on line. Right now I'm thinking that my hotel is near El Cortes Ingles, and I should go there and try to buy a 220V immersion coil and/or a small 220V kettle, and leave the Rival at home. It shouldn't be this complicated but I really hate getting up and going out into the world without a cup of java under my belt.

thursdaysd

As I posted on the other forum, I have stayed in a number of hotels in Portugal, and ALL of them included breakfast in the room rate, and in all cases breakfast included coffee. Plus I'm with nyt - I'd rather drink my coffee in cafe where I can watch the passing parade. But I travel very light, and on the rare occasions when I've taken an immersion coil along, I haven't used it enough to justify the weight.

BTW, whether or not breakfast is included in the room rate varies depending on which European country you are visiting - it's not usually included in France, for instance.

kybourbon

Mine is like this one.
http://www.amazon.com/Catalog-Source.../dp/B000TVKZKU

Connie

I bought a dual voltage electrical coil from a reputable travel retailer but it blew the first time I used it. I had packed pods to use but now I would probably take Starbucks Via instant. I hate instant but this is pretty good.

LSky

I blew an immersion coil out the first time I used it because I didn't unplug it BEFORE I took it out of the water. I have the same one for years because I read the directions. finally.

MelJ

Years ago I blew an immersion coil in a London hotel. For awhile after that I took Folger's coffee bags (like tea bags) to use with the hot water pots in the hotel rooms. That became a pain, mainly because the coffee bag was too strong for the little teacups in the hotel room.

Now I stay in apartments. As soon as I check in I look at the coffee cups. If they aren't actual mugs i pick one up at a cheap souvenir shop ("Welcome to Paris"), then I pick up a pound of coffee at the nearest market. I need coffee in the morning and unwinding after returning at night. I leave the mug for the next person who stays at the apartment.

djkbooks

In Paris, I bought a terrific one cup drip coffee maker in a kitchenware/gift shop. Came with a permanent filter, two "custom" mugs, and a measure. I always check before using it in the room and have never had a problem.

Ackislander

Certainly in Paris, when we have not rented an apartment, there was always a cafe within 100 meters. I do have to admit to wanting coffee before I shower and get dressed, so I am in pretty grim shape by the time I make it to the cafe. I usually down one grand express in about two sips, then finish the second at a more leisurely pace. The waiters usually look at me as if I am an alcoholic getting his first drink. There are parallels. By Day Three, they usually know my habits and start pumping the espresso before I can get seated.