5 Best Coffee Mugs For Short Term Rentals
As coffee snobs ourselves, we are always on the lookout for great coffee accessories including coffee mugs. Browsing through the offerings, we realized that coffee mugs are not just great for, well, drinking coffee but also as general additions to an Airbnb to give it some character. They are functional and can add some personality to any space.
As an Airbnb host, you should make a point to customize your property so that it becomes memorable in some way for the guest. That way, they make a mental association of the premises to your personality. They will keep coming back whenever they are traveling to your part of the country. Repeat customers mean great business! Let’s look at this small accessory that can really give the guests, something to talk about.
What to look for in a coffee mug?
Well, since humans have been drinking and eating out of utensils for millennia, I think getting the right coffee mug is more a matter of aesthetics than functionality. You have to think of things like materials and design. That can be influenced by how the coffee is consumed and what is used to make the coffee. The materials that you will be working with are:
- Porcelain and Ceramic – We are grouping these together because they almost feel the same in hand. This is the classic sit-down-and-enjoy-your-cuppa kind of coffee mug. When you relax on a cold day or just to get that extra boost in the evening you want to feel something sturdy and warm in your hands as you taste that sweet sweet nectar. These are our favorite materials for coffee mugs. They are easy to use and clean. They also have amazing variety in the designs that they offer.
- Stainless Steel – This material has its own old-world charm. If you are running an Airbnb with a lot of rustic furniture and an industrial look, you get stainless steel coffee mugs to go with the theme.
- Glass – Another classic material that looks good and is very functional. It feels great in the hand and you can get wonderful designs in this category.
- Plastic – As a personal preference we avoid these because we have an inclination to drink hot coffee. Over time the plastic can disintegrate into your drink. We know that these modern plastics are supposed to be food grade and not toxic but there is just something about the feel of plastic on the lips that doesn’t sit right with us. If you are getting these and are comfortable with them, go ahead! Just make sure they are rated for food grade and for hot materials. You can save some money getting these as they tend to be inexpensive.
Porcelain, plastic and stainless steel tend to retain the odor and taste of the beverage that was placed in there previously. Ceramic and glass are effective in keeping the coffee warmer for a longer time.
Think about whether you need something like coasters or sleeves for the coffee mug. If you are running a coffee machine that makes coffee at a set temperature that is too hot, then you need sleeves and coasters to protect the guests’ hands and your furniture.
It is a good idea to get mugs of different sizes if you have the budget. Whatever sizes you get, they should be large enough to match the quantity that comes out of your coffee maker. A medium-sized mug will do fine for most cases while large mugs will please the hardcore coffee lovers.
Getting a coffee mug with a lid is not a good idea for a short term rental as it means that guests might be tempted to carry the mug away with them when they leave the property to explore. You don’t want your guests doing that and misplacing them outside. Similarly, don’t get a coffee mug that is a thermos. They are easy to carry and could be taken outside by the guests if it is convenient.
There are smart coffee mugs, coffee mugs with custom printed images, coffee mugs that show an image when they get hot. There is a lot of novelty for this simple accessory. Take some time to pick the right one. It is definitely fun for us to just browse through and explore!
Like we always recommend, when it comes to novelty accessories, don’t get anything political or controversial. Keep it fun. You don’t know what your guests’ affiliations are and you don’t want to leave a bad taste in their mouth – literally!
Recommendations from Amazon:
Glossy Ceramic Coffee Mug: This mug has a large capacity and should suffice for most needs. It is made of lead-free cadmium-free high-quality ceramic. The shape is easy to hold and looks classic. They come in 10 colors so it should match any decor. Perfect if you want to get something that works without breaking the bank.
Funny Coffee Mug: You can get a mug from amazon with just about any funny message on it. You may not get this exact one but you should get some ideas about the kind of messages you can have on a coffee mug. It is made of 100% pure white ceramic and features a scratch-resistant print. The second one is important as these coffee mugs will be used a lot and the print can fade away if it is not scratch resistant.
Marble Ceramic Coffee Mug: For the ladies, this design is very chic and comes in many colors. It is on the larger side with marble texture. Every mug has a unique texture because it is naturally formed. It is microwave safe. Make sure they are STACKABLE!
Anchor Hocking Cafe Glass Coffee Mugs: This one is very classy looking. It feels like it has come directly out of a french cafe. For an urban Airbnb, this would be the perfect addition to make the guest feel like they are being treated to a high-end treat.
Bob Ross Heat Changing Mug: We love the heat changing mugs that light up with a unique design. This is one kind that can be a conversation starter. It is a fun addition to any property. Bob Ross is the man.
Love,
Scooch and Steve
