Product Test: Coffee Planet

Novotel Al Bustan general manager Bruno Debray and his team puts Coffee Planet to the test and deliver expert opinions to Hotelier Express

What did you like most about this product?

What is interesting is that Coffee Planet is not just selling coffee, it is selling a concept, with quality service, machines and maintenance to ensure their equipment remains in very good condition. Its approach is to make sure the end product is delivered in an optimal condition – so it’s more than just coffee. It’s also the fact that its roastery is located in Jebel Ali, Dubai.

Would this product improve guest  experience?

Because Coffee Planet also supplies machines and provides training, it helps guarantee the end result, this in turn contributes to guest experience and loyalty. This is one of the companys strengths, especially if you compare it with locally available coffee. It takes into consideration everything to guarantee the quality promise is delivered.

Did this product exceed your expectations?

Yes, the products exceeded our expectations. We could feel there is an expert at Coffee Planet who has developed the coffee blends and given them a personality – the coffee expresses something special, it has been given a soul. It’s not a matter of just buying and selling coffee; you want to make sure it’s made and handled responsibly, Coffee Planet achieves this.

Would guests notice the difference?

Yes, of course guests will notice a difference. I feel there is a real difference, each coffee is different, although the beans are the same quality – it’s all in the blend and how its roasted it at Coffee Planet. It is not just about importing coffee, it has a solid structure based here; this allows the company to ensure the end product is consistent and that the whole process goes perfectly.

Would this product impact overall guest satisfaction?

If a coffee machine is not well built, or well maintained, it will be difficult to produce the coffee you expect every time; Coffee Planet is in control of this whole process – so it can guarantee the end product. I like the machines, they have the most up-to-date technology to ensure that the coffee will be really fantastic – that’s the whole idea.

Is there anything you did not like about this product?

I think it is just a matter of taste, but I didn’t like the filter coffee. This is not about the quality, some people like filter coffee light and some like it strong, personally it was just not to my taste. This is not criticism, it’s just my preference – those who drink a lot of filter coffee may actually prefer this product.

Would this product be suitable for mid-market hotels?

Yes, absolutely it would. It’s good to have coffee with personality that will leave a positive trace in the experience of the guests. You cannot have something extravagant or expensive that will please only a few guests, especially in the mid-market. But, Coffee Planet has character, which comes from the blend selection and local roasting facility – it’s not an exclusive product, but it’s a different offering, and that is always a good thing.

Would you supply your hotel with this product?

Yes, why not. We have different guests staying at Novotel, people from different backgrounds, from different continents, so you cannot select one coffee to please everyone – it’s not that easy. It’s best to choose a coffee with full intensity – one that can give a guarantee of quality – which means every cup you serve has been produced with value.

Is this product priced appropriately for the mid-market?

The price is fair, especially when taking into consideration the coffee is imported. Bear in mind too, it is not a single origin coffee blend, plus it is roasted and packaged locally, which makes it a more attractive product. To have a fair trade or organic label among the selection is a plus too, especially as the company is competing with so many established coffee brands and coffee makers. However, the Coffee Planet approach of supplying machines and maintaining them too: this will make a difference in the long run.

Would you recommend Coffee Planet to other mid-market hoteliers?

Yes, just because of the passion and determination of its people, and the taste of course. There is personality in every cup, it is not copying other suppliers on the market. Coffee Planet will leave a good experience and guests will remember this.

Final comments: We like that it has an organic blend. We are always trying to source organic products; this comes back to quality, it means knowing where your products are coming from, how they were produced, if the supplier is passionate about what they do and if they believe in their product. This creates added value – guests will appreciate this. This is where Coffee Planet’s barista training comes into play; guests will recognise the knowledge in our professionally trained baristas and they will feel this passion for coffee – this is what I call added value.