Coffee whitener

[Natalie819]

I provide a nespresso machine and French press both with coffee. What are people doing about cream/milk/plant based? I really don’t want to get into buying fresh cream for every stay and wondered about a jar of coffee whitener? Too tacky? Thoughts and / or suggestions ?

[Ann72]

@Natalie819 I think coffee and sweeteners are enough, but you could leave a jar as back-up.  The guests will buy their preferred whitener - milk, half and half, oat creamer, you name it - when they get their groceries, but if they run out or forget, they might use it.  I leave a jar of powdered espresso and a jar of instant coffee just in case.  I think it would only be tacky if you say in your listing that creamer is provided and the guests find a jar of fake stuff on arrival.  Don't say anything is provided, put it in the back of the guest supplies, and someone someday will be grateful to find it there.

[Lisa723]

@Natalie819 individual shelf-stable half-and-half (e.g. mini-moos). Downside is individual-use plastic; I haven't found any alternatives.

[Sarah977]

If I were a guest, I certainly wouldn't use something called "whitener" or "creamer". But if the host didn't provide real cream, I'd just go out and buy some.

@Natalie819

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Natalie819 

Instead of the powdered creamer, I would suggest leaving a few 3-in-1 instant coffee mix packets. 

[Anonymous]

@Natalie819 I don't know if it's available in Canada, but I'd check for 100 or 200 ml-sized cartons of UHT (shelf-stable) dairy and plant-based milks, so you can buy up in bulk, lock  up with your changeover supplies, and stock an appropriate amount for each group.

Your lovely listing really foregrounds the hip, stylish, and luxurious qualities - your target customers do not use powdered coffee whitener and will grimace at the sight of an open and possibly contaminated jar of anything. For the same reason you wouldn't leave a half-used, pube-encrusted bar of Irish Spring  soap on the bathroom sink - try to keep some consistency to the amenities you offer. Your loft suggests organic local milk and a vegan alternative such as oat. Just enough for the first morning is fine - guests who intend to have breakfast in the home will do their own shopping once they're settled in.

[Emilia42]

@Natalie819 

I leave super fresh half & half in a little glass jar tied with a bow for each guest. My family owns a coffee shop 3 doors away so it's super easy for me to do it. The half and half is one thing and more often than not it doesn't get used. But 9 out of 10 guests comment on the jar and how the gesture was done just for them (as opposed to a half-empty container of an almost expired white stuff stuck in the fridge for everyone.) I think if you are going to do it, do it well. If not, leave it out and focus on some other way to enhance the guest's stay. 

[Lorna170]

@Natalie819   I advertise that I leave sugar, sugar substitute and creamer individual packets, much like you would find on the table at a restaurant.  I have tried mini-moos (people threw them out) and the larger creamer containers (ignored or thrown out) and am not in a position to leave small containers of creamer in the refrigerator.  The packets work, and I reiterate in my Welcome Package what supplies are there and what people should expect to bring.  As a drive-to location, most of my guests have no issue with shopping on their way in and the packets I leave for them being an "emergency" use creamer.

[Debra300]

@Natalie819,

Similar to @Lisa723, I leave a few mini-moos in the refrigerator for guests.  They can't be left out on counters in St. Lucia, because the heat spoils them.  I've also provided UHT milk as @Anonymous mentioned, because it's prevalent on island.  Grocery selection is not as varied as in more developed locations, and I've not seen a refrigerated plant-based creamer in the shops.  I do ask guests if they have any food allergies or preferences, and make recommendations on what they should bring with them.

For the beverage itself, I provide a few pre-filled pods, and a reusable pod for guests to use their own coffee, tea or hot chocolate.