Hotelier offering a regular in-room treat
You want to leave one familiar biscuit beside the coffee facilities in every room. Look for individual wrapping, an intact wrapper and stock that you can store according to the instructions.
Which format is right for you?
Buyer for shared coffee points
In a lobby, breakfast room or coffee area, consider how guests and staff will help themselves and replenish the biscuits. A bulk pack or dispenser may be suitable; compare its contents with expected usage.
Hospitality manager looking to offer variety
A selection or filled biscuit offers something different alongside coffee or tea. If you offer several varieties, keep the ingredients and allergen information for each type available rather than using a single list for the whole range.
What should you look for?
First decide whether the biscuit will be placed in a guest room or at a shared coffee point. Then compare the individual wrapping, the information for each variety and the pack size with how you plan to use your stock.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and portions | Check that each biscuit is individually wrapped and that the wrappers are intact. Follow the storage instructions for your stock. | If I’m leaving one biscuit in each room, I want to be able to put out an intact, recognisable portion. For around 36% of consumers, this individual-portion service is the top priority. |
| Allergen information | Read the label for the exact variety and, if you’re buying a selection, keep the information for each type separate. | When guests ask about ingredients, I want to be able to give them the information for the biscuit they’ll receive. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this allergen information. |
| Service format and variety | Compare individual portions, a dispenser, a selection and filled biscuits in terms of how they’ll be served and their format. | For a self-service point, I want to replenish stock differently than I would for a regular in-room treat; with a selection, the variety on offer also matters. For around 21% of consumers, the service format is the deciding factor. |
| Stock and availability | Compare the number of biscuits with expected usage, the best-before date and the storage space available. Confirm availability before ordering. | If usage varies over time, I don’t want to choose a box that sits unused or can’t be replenished in time. For around 14% of consumers, stock management is the main concern. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming vegan means allergen-free
A vegan label doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from allergens. The classic Lotus Biscoff variety described here contains gluten and soya.
Check the allergen information on the label for the exact variety, and don’t rely on a vegan label as a substitute.
-
Assuming every biscuit in a selection has the same ingredients
Different types of biscuit in the same range may have different ingredients and allergen warnings. Information for one type could therefore be misleading for the rest of the box.
Keep the product information for each variety and make sure it’s clear which biscuit it relates to.
-
Choosing a large box without considering usage
A box containing lots of biscuits is only suitable for your expected usage if you can store and serve them within the stated period.
Compare the box contents and best-before date with the number of rooms or coffee breaks, and follow the storage instructions.
A large box takes up storage space; if usage is low, biscuits may go unused.
-
Treating a product listing as a guarantee of ongoing availability
A biscuit listed in an online range may not be available when you next order. For example, Jumbo stated that the Elite Coffee Time selection had been removed from its online range.
Confirm current business availability and check the specifications of the pack to be supplied before choosing a biscuit as a regular in-room treat.
Brands to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff describes professional formats featuring individually wrapped biscuits: a box of 300 classic biscuits, a dispenser containing 150 biscuits and a box of 120 sandwich biscuits.
- The manufacturer says its dispenser and sandwich biscuits are suitable for hotels. Lotus Biscoff states that the box of 300 has a 12-month shelf life; also follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
- The classic biscuit contains gluten and soya. The sandwich variety described also contains milk and may contain traces of egg; always check the label for your chosen variety.
Elite
The Elite Coffee Time selection is an example of a range containing 120 individually wrapped biscuits in four varieties, for those looking to offer a choice alongside coffee or tea.
- The four types of biscuit offer more choice than a single regular variety.
- Check the allergens for each type and confirm current availability. Jumbo stated that this selection had been removed from its online range.
Goud Gebakken
ALDI describes a consumer pack containing six individually wrapped pieces of spiced cake or breakfast cake. This is a different type of product from a small coffee biscuit.
- The individual wrapping may be useful for a small-scale, informal stock supply.
- Compare the portion size and product type with the in-room treat you want to offer, and check the label and availability of the pack you choose.
Biscuits at Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find allergen information for individually wrapped biscuits?
Check the label for the exact variety. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. Make sure guests can access the information for the biscuit you’re serving.
How should I store biscuits for in-room hotel coffee facilities?
Follow the best-before date and storage instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container; for the professional formats described, Lotus Biscoff recommends dry storage away from sources of heat.
Is a dispenser suitable for every hotel room?
A dispenser is generally better suited to a shared coffee or tea station than to an individual in-room treat. Lotus Biscoff markets its dispenser of 150 individually wrapped biscuits for places including hotels; decide whether guests will help themselves or whether you’ll leave one portion in each room.
Are vegan biscuits suitable for every guest with an allergy?
No. A vegan label doesn’t mean a biscuit is allergen-free. The classic Lotus Biscoff variety described here contains gluten and soya, so always read the allergen information for the biscuit you’ll actually be serving.
Can I use an online product page as the basis for a regular in-room standard?
Use a product page as a starting point, but confirm availability before ordering and check the label on the pack when it arrives. Online ranges can change; for example, Jumbo stated that the Elite Coffee Time selection had been removed.