Barsallo suggests adding an unexpected twist to your hotel room coffee by incorporating a splash of orange juice or other fruit extracts. This creative approach not only masks the coffee’s harsh flavor but also adds a punchy and refreshing element to your cup.

Alternatively, when juices are not on hand, Barsallo recommends a surprising yet effective trick—adding a sprinkle of salt to the coffee grounds before brewing, which is particularly effective for darker roasts. This method helps cut the acidity, offering a smoother taste. For those with a sweet tooth, Barsallo suggests opting for brown sugar or simple syrup, readily available at hotel restaurants or bars.

Barsallo emphasizes the importance of using bottled water to brew your hotel room coffee. Choosing water with higher magnesium content and lower calcium and sulfate content enhances the overall mouthfeel, texture, and sweetness of the coffee. Additionally, Barsallo advises adjusting the water-to-grounds ratio to intensify the flavors, providing a bolder and more enjoyable coffee experience.

For the coffee purists or those uncertain about the destination’s coffee quality, Barsallo recommends creating a portable “to-go” kit. Including essentials like a Carter mug, Aeropress, Acaia coffee scale, and Comandante grinder ensures you’re prepared for a satisfying coffee experience wherever your travels take you. Practical alternatives like drip kits, specialty coffee capsules, and ultra-specialty coffee solubles offer convenient solutions for a delightful cup of joe on the go.

If you are planning a luxurious and private vacation with high-end dining, delicious food, and nature’s tranquillity, Cayo Espanto is the place for you. Belize’s exclusive private island is just three miles off the coast of San Pedro and a seven-minute boat ride from the famous tourist location, Ambergris Caye. Cayo Espanto, surrounded by the sapphire-blue Caribbean Sea, is built on four acres of land filled with white sand, tropical palms, and exotic flowers, offering spellbinding sceneries, exceptional cuisines, and a world-class dining experience.

Lay of the Land

The lavish island only has seven villas, each offering a unique view of paradise. The rates start from $1,600 a night and go up to $3,000. The pricing includes three paid meals, snacks, and beverages. Moreover, to have the perfect one-of-a-kind luxurious experience, you should go ahead and book a private flight from Astrum Helicopters straight from the mainland to Cayo Espanto rather than taking the traditional route of flights and motorboats. Visit the world’s second-largest barrier reef system, explore water sports on the beach, take up diving, go bone fishing or on exotic jungle tours, and make the best out of staying on the intimate secluded island.

Chef Richard Gillett

Alongside the grand escape to privacy and nature, Cayo Espanto has much more to offer. A local, Belize-born chef Richard Gillett has taken the reins as the executive chef of the island, after cooking exceptional food for more than four decades in some of the country’s finest kitchens. His menu includes local seafood and freshly-caught fish, with daily-rotating dishes like lime-soaked salads, grilled Caribbean lobster, Belikin-battered fish tacos, and mouth-watering conch ceviche. The best part of Cayo Espanto, apart from being the most elegant island, is that you don’t have to go out to eat – the food comes to you per your requirements. You can have your lunch on your villa’s private dock or beach or find a secluded spot to enjoy the food with a mesmerizing view.