If you’re conscious about buying ethically-sourced coffee, or if you’re a bit of a coffee ‘snob’ (we prefer the term ‘enthusiast’), then these 7 destinations across the world are where you need to book your next holiday. From farm tours to sampling some of the finest coffee on the planet, you’ll never even consider buying instant again. These coffee stays offer comfort, education and even better coffee.
Where Can I Find The Best Coffee Stays in the World?
1. Finca Mariposa – Jardín, Colombia
Located at the northern end of the Andes Mountains range, Jardín is the perfect region for growing smooth and strong coffee that we associate with Colombia.
And Fina Mariposa – founded in 1863 – has remained largely unchanged ever since, surrounded by pristine rainforest and gorgeous sloping mountains, creating the perfect environment in which to grow coffee beans.
At an elevation of 1,750 metres above sea level, it might take a while to get used to the oxygen levels in the air, but it definitely won’t take long to get used to the delicious coffee.
And where better to experience it than right on your doorstep? Leave the wonderful hotel and pick your own beans, before watching the entire process on a guided tour (available in Spanish and English), from the moment they’re picked to the moment you take that first delightful sip.
If you’re looking for a traditional, authentic coffee stay with few tourists, then Finca Mariposa is the place for you.
2. Midori Coffee Farm – Da Lat, Vietnam
The name ‘Midori’ is a Vietnamese word that does not have a direct English translation – instead, it encompasses elements of ‘sustainability’, ‘community-focused’ and ‘healing’, making this coffee farm one of the most ethical and environmentally friendly coffee stays in the world.
Found in the Central Highlands of southern Vietnam, Da Lat is one of the best coffee-growing regions on the planet, and Midori takes advantage of this natural environment by creating some of the finest coffee you’ll ever taste.
As well as being able to explore at your own pace, there are two distinct tours that are offered at Midori. The first is a classic coffee farm tour, where guests can pick their own beans while a tour guide talks them through the process, before seeing how the coffee is produced.
The second tour combines a walking coffee tour with a local history and culture tour, where you visit a local farmer’s home, as well as the local historical site Hai Ba Trung, which is an ancient temple. This is ideal for coffee and history lovers alike.
The accommodation is self-catering and all views offer stunning views over the Vietnamese Highlands.
3. Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa – Coorg, India
While India may be better known as a tea-drinking and tea-producing country, there is nevertheless a huge coffee-producing industry in the country, largely driven by Western demand for our favourite caffeinated beverage.
If you’re looking for an upmarket coffee stay in India, then a visit to Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa is a must. Hidden amongst lush mountains and evergreen rainforest canopy at 1,200m above sea level, Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa is one of India’s best-kept secrets.
Luxury meets sustainability here, with coffee tours around the beautiful plantations, and incredible spa facilities and treatments available back at the hotel – including one of India’s best infinity pools – and from this level of elevation, it’s easy to see why.
In addition, the rainforest doubles as a wildlife corridor, because it has purposefully been left untouched, so lucky guests may be able to spot such exotic species, including elephants, tigers, leopards, monkeys and more.
In addition to coffee, there are also cardamom and pepper plantations surrounding the resort, offering incredible natural scents throughout the hotel, and giving guests the opportunity to explore more than just coffee plantations.
4. Kinunu Guest House – Boneza, Rwanda
Found in East Africa, the small country of Rwanda is one of the world’s best coffee-producing nations, and at Kinunu Guest House, you can fully see why.
Built in the centre of a coffee plantation, there’s no need to book an external tour to a nearby coffee farm when you stay here, as you’re right on site – greeted by the wonderful aroma and scent of fresh coffee every morning, mere metres from your bed.
As well as guided farm tours to show the science behind the growth of the coffee beans, guests are also given the opportunity to partake in a live demonstration of how coffee is cared for until it’s poured into your cup in the morning, including how Rwandan farmers are given a fair deal when it comes to coffee production.
With eight rooms, two family apartments, a dormitory and a restaurant, Kinunu Guest House is one of the best family-friendly coffee stays in the world. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool and camping facilities available for those who really want to connect to nature.
Finally, the Guest House and the coffee plantation sit on the Congo Nile Trail, a popular route for cyclists and hikers, making it an excellent place to visit if you plan on undertaking this extreme adventure.
5. Munduk Moding Plantation – Bali, Indonesia
Bali has many facets: surf, party, spirituality, and good coffee. Find one of the best coffee estates in Indonesia, and in fact, the world, in the mountainous north of the island, Munduk Moding Plantation.
Because Munduk Moding is nestled in the Indonesian rainforest 1,200m above sea level, the microclimate is perfect for growing and cultivating coffee.
Guests are invited to partake in the ‘bean to cup’ journey, from seeing the berries on the trees, to the harvesting process, right up to the beans being roasted, brewed, and poured into a mug right in front of you. Of course, tasting is included, too!
Coffee is also involved in the resort’s Bamboo Spa, where a coffee-based scrub has been designed to help rejuvenate the skin. For true coffee enthusiasts, a visit to Munduk Moding Plantation is essential.
6. Finca San Cayetano – Alotenango, Guatemala
Latin America is one of the biggest coffee-producing regions in the world, and Guatemala produces arguably the best coffee in the region.
At Finca San Cayento in Alotenango, the farm is one of Guatemala’s leading coffee-producing farms, and tours are offered to anyone, but guests who stay at the hotel can book the tour with a 15% discount.
As well as the bean-to-cup journey, which is excellently demonstrated on the tour, guests are also gifted with a reusable coffee cup and a 500g bag of coffee beans to take home with them, produced directly from Finca San Cayento’s plantation.
The hotel has been designed with traditional coffee farming in mind, and guests can choose from traditional cabin-style accommodations with modern amenities such as WiFi, air conditioning, showers and more for an authentic coffee stay in contemporary comfort.
7. Arusha Coffee Lodge – Arusha, Tanzania
Previously ranked in the World’s Top 500 Hotels in 2021, Arusha Coffee Lodge in Tanzania is one of Africa’s – and the world’s – best coffee stays.
In the centre of one of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantations, the first thing that hotel guests notice is the wonderful sensory aromas that greet their nostrils when they arrive – from freshly brewed coffee to the acres of coffee beans surrounding the resort.
The accommodation has been designed around the original landowner’s home, which was built at the turn of the 20th century, and as such, guests can choose from 30 plantation houses which reach out into the vast array of coffee fields.
If you like to choose locally-brewed coffee as your drink of choice first thing in the morning, then you won’t be disappointed with a stay at Arusha Coffee Lodge. The coffee beans from the hotel’s restaurant are practically within reach of the kitchen windows – it doesn’t get much more local than that.
Guests can also join the hotel-employed coffee pickers on a morning, harvesting the beans directly from the plantation, before sitting back and relaxing with a coffee, watching the world go by from the hotel pool or balcony.
Finally, Arusha Coffee Lodge also offers safaris as well as coffee tours, so this is a great place to stay if you wish to go on an African safari, too.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chester Ollivier
Chester is passionate about exploring new places through food, history and heritage. Whether he is uncovering hidden gems in North East England or travelling to exotic locations across the globe, his enthusiasm for food and history fuels his adventures. His love for writing, combined with his intrigue of different cultures and their histories has led him to pursue a career as a travel writer.
