The Great Almond Milk Debate: Hotel Coffee Bars, Guest Demands, and the Moo-diest Mornings
Let’s set the scene: It’s 2 a.m. on your day off. You get the dreaded night audit call—someone’s sick, and you’re up to bat. Bleary-eyed but dutiful, you shuffle to the front desk, prepping the coffee bar for the early risers. There’s regular and decaf coffee, half and half, 2% milk, and all the sweetener options a caffeine-dependent guest could dream of. You’re trying to be a hero, but not even a cape can protect you from what’s coming next…
Enter: The Almond Milk Avenger.
The Curious Case of the Missing Almond Milk
As you set out the last sugar packet, a guest approaches, scanning the dairy lineup with a discerning eye. He looks at the labels, then at you. “Do you have almond milk?”
You reply, “No, just 2% and half and half.”
Cue the dramatic sigh. “You know you have a lot of elderly people who stay here, right? People with milk issues? Why don’t you have almond milk?”
You shrug, “You’re the first person to ask. I suppose we can look into it.”
But our dairy-free crusader is undeterred. “Well, I was told that last time I brought this up!”
Here’s the plot twist that makes this encounter a front desk folktale: Every single room in this hotel is a residence, complete with a full-sized kitchen and a refrigerator. The nearest grocery store is so close you could probably throw a carton of almond milk at it (not that we recommend this). And yet, the demand for almond milk at the coffee bar persists.
The Hotel Amenity Dilemma
Should hotels offer almond milk at their lobby coffee bars? Are we now expected to provide oat, soy, rice, macadamia, and cashew milk, too? What about yak milk or unicorn milk for the truly adventurous? Let’s unpack this.
1. Hospitality is About Anticipating Needs… But to What Extent?
The heart of hospitality is anticipating guest needs, but there’s a fine line between thoughtful service and running a full-service vegan bodega. If the overwhelming majority of your guests are just happy with regular milk or half and half (or, as this Redditor points out, a splash of Bailey’s), does it make sense to stock specialty milks that might expire before anyone uses them?
2. The Residence Hotel Paradox
This isn’t your average hotel room with a closet-sized mini fridge. These are full-blown residences. Guests could host their own episode of “Chopped” with the kitchens provided. If a guest has a dietary restriction or a particular preference, isn’t it reasonable to expect they’ll stock up with personal essentials—especially when the grocery store is practically next door?
3. The Rise (and Limit) of the Almond Milk Movement
Almond milk has gone from health food store oddity to mainstream staple, but the question remains: How many hotels are actually offering it? A quick scan of hospitality forums reveals that while some high-end or boutique hotels in major cities provide non-dairy options, most stick with the basics unless there’s significant demand.
And as our Reddit hero notes, in five years, this is the very first almond milk inquiry. That’s a lot of coffee, with nary an almond in sight.
The Real Secret: Most Guests Want Bailey’s Anyway
Perhaps the most delightful revelation in this saga is that most of the “elderly people” the guest referenced aren’t clamoring for almond milk at all. They’re asking for something a little stronger in their morning joe. The true coffee bar upgrade isn’t plant-based—it’s Irish-cream based.
The Takeaway: Sometimes, It’s Just Not That Deep
So, are you being unreasonable for not providing almond milk at the coffee bar? Absolutely not. If guest demand rises, maybe it’s time to consider it. Until then, the store is a quick stroll away, and your kitchen awaits.
As for the guest who swears he was promised almond milk last time: Maybe next time, he’ll come prepared, or maybe he’ll discover the joys of 2% (or Bailey’s) like the regulars.
What do you think? Should hotels go nuts (pun intended) and offer every milk imaginable? What’s the weirdest guest request you’ve ever heard? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Inspired by u/AardQuenIgni’s legendary tale on r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk. Read the original story here.
Original Reddit Post: 'why don't you have almond milk?'