How to Make Coffee in a Hotel Room (No Coffee Maker Needed)

You can make good coffee in a hotel room with ground coffee, a mug and hot water. A brewer is a bonus, not a requirement.

Step 1: Get hot water

In-room kettle: the easiest option. Fill it with fresh tap water and boil it.
In-room coffee maker: run it with no coffee in it and catch the hot water in a clean mug. Rinse the carafe or mug first, since hotel machines are shared.
Microwave only: heat water in a microwave-safe mug, then stir it before you add coffee. Microwaved water can get very hot, so be careful.
Hot water from the lobby or breakfast area: ask. Most hotels are happy to fill a mug.

Step 2: Pick a way to brew

Mug coffee (no equipment)

Stir about 2 level tablespoons of medium-coarse ground coffee into 8 oz of hot water, just off the boil.
Wait 4 minutes, then stir once.
Let the grounds sink and sip carefully, or pour through a small fine strainer into a second mug.

It is gritty, but it works anywhere.

Pour-over bag or travel dripper

Pre-made pour-over bags hook onto the rim of a mug and need only hot water. A small collapsible dripper with paper filters does the same with your own coffee. See Pour-Over Basics for the method.

AeroPress

A small plastic brewer that survives a suitcase and makes a smooth cup in about two minutes. See AeroPress Basics.

Instant or concentrate

Not our favorite, but a good backup if you are short on time or space.

What to pack

Ground coffee in a zip bag or small jar (grind coarse-to-medium for the mug method)
A reusable mug or travel cup
A small fine strainer, or paper filters
Optional: a compact scale and a travel brewer

How much coffee?

A good starting point is 1 part coffee to 16 parts water by weight. Without a scale, use about 2 level tablespoons per 8 oz of water. The coffee to water ratio chart has amounts for every brewer.

Looking for more no-machine options at home? Read how to make coffee without a coffee maker.