When we first set up our Winnipeg Airbnb, we wanted to provide guests with an elevated, luxurious experience. We imagined guests waking up to the aroma of freshly pulled espresso shots, creating their own cappuccinos and lattes with a professional-grade machine. So we invested in a CASABREWS CM5418 espresso machine—a beautiful 20-bar pressure system with a milk frother steam wand, built-in pressure gauge, and all the features that would make any coffee enthusiast's heart skip a beat.

But here's what happened: guests kept asking for a regular drip coffee machine instead.

The Machine We Chose

The CASABREWS CM5418 is genuinely impressive. It's a semi-automatic espresso maker with a 20-bar professional Italian pump, 1350W powerful boiler, and a compact stainless steel design that looks expensive. The machine features:

  • Professional 20-bar pressure system: Delivers top-quality extraction with rich, fragrant espresso
  • Built-in pressure gauge: Shows exact pressure to help you adjust according to personal taste
  • Powerful steam wand: Creates creamy microfoam milk for cappuccinos and lattes
  • Compact design: Takes up minimal counter space while looking elegant
  • 34oz removable water tank: Allows for multiple cups without constant refilling
  • Programmable buttons: Single and double shot options with customizable volume

For coffee enthusiasts, this machine delivers. It can pull excellent shots with proper crema, steam milk beautifully, and create café-quality drinks at home. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive—over 6,000 ratings with 4.4 stars. People who know espresso machines love it.

The Reality: Not all guests are coffee enthusiasts. Many just want a simple, reliable way to make coffee in the morning without learning a new skill.

What Guests Actually Wanted

Despite the machine's quality and capabilities, we started receiving messages from guests asking if we had a "regular coffee maker" or a "drip coffee machine." Some guests were intimidated by the espresso machine. Others simply didn't know how to use it. A few tried to use it and struggled, which created frustration rather than delight.

We realized that while we wanted to provide the best possible experience, we were actually creating friction. Guests on vacation or business trips don't necessarily want to learn how to tamp coffee grounds, adjust grind settings, or figure out steam wand techniques. They want to wake up, press a button, and have coffee.

The Lesson We Learned

This experience taught us a fundamental lesson about hosting: when it comes to appliances and amenities, simpler is better.

Here's what we learned:

1. Guests Value Reliability Over Complexity

An appliance that works consistently and intuitively is more valuable than one that's impressive but requires learning. A drip coffee maker might not be as "elevated," but it's reliable, familiar, and doesn't require instructions or troubleshooting.

2. Not Everyone Shares Your Expertise

We're coffee enthusiasts, so we assumed our guests would appreciate a professional espresso machine. But many guests aren't familiar with espresso machines. They don't know about grind size, tamping pressure, or extraction times. What seems obvious to us can be confusing to others.

3. Vacation Mode vs. Home Mode

When people are staying in an Airbnb, they're often in "vacation mode" or "travel mode." They want things to be easy and stress-free. They don't want to spend time learning how to use complex appliances. They want to relax, not troubleshoot.

4. Simplicity Reduces Support Requests

Complex appliances lead to questions, confusion, and sometimes problems. Simple appliances reduce the need for support, instructions, and troubleshooting—which means less work for hosts and fewer frustrations for guests.

Hosting Insight: The best amenities are the ones guests can use immediately without thinking. If you need to explain how something works, it might be too complex for most guests.

What We Did

After receiving multiple requests for a drip coffee maker, we made the decision to remove the espresso machine. It wasn't an easy decision—we had invested in a quality machine and genuinely enjoyed using it ourselves. But hosting isn't about what we want; it's about what guests need.

We replaced it with a simple, reliable drip coffee maker that guests can use without any instructions. It's not as impressive, but it's more useful. And that's what matters.

About the CASABREWS CM5418

Before we move on, let's acknowledge that the CASABREWS CM5418 is actually an excellent machine for the right context. If you're a coffee enthusiast looking for a home espresso machine, or if you're hosting in a space where guests specifically expect espresso equipment, this machine delivers exceptional value at around $200 CAD.

The machine heats up quickly (about 50 seconds for brewing, 20 seconds for steam), has a compact footprint that fits well in small kitchens, and produces genuinely good espresso when used correctly. The pressure gauge is a nice touch for those who want to dial in their shots, and the steam wand is powerful enough to create proper microfoam.

Customer reviews consistently praise the build quality, the quality of espresso it produces, and the value for money. Many reviewers note that it performs comparably to machines costing two or three times more. For coffee lovers who want to make espresso at home, it's a solid choice.

Key Features That Impress Coffee Enthusiasts

  • 20-bar Italian pump: Professional-grade pressure system
  • 1350W boiler: Fast heating and consistent temperature
  • Pressure gauge: Visual feedback for extraction quality
  • 51mm portafilter: Standard size with single and double shot baskets
  • Programmable volume: Customize shot length to your preference
  • Steam wand: Powerful enough for proper milk texturing
  • Hot water function: Useful for Americanos or tea

If you're considering this machine for your own home, or for a space where guests are specifically looking for espresso capabilities, it's worth considering. Just be aware that it requires some knowledge and practice to use effectively.

Applying This Lesson to Other Amenities

This experience has influenced how we think about all amenities in our space. We now ask ourselves:

  • Can guests use this without instructions?
  • Is this intuitive for someone who's never seen it before?
  • Will this create delight or confusion?
  • Does this reduce friction or add it?

This doesn't mean we've eliminated all "elevated" features. We still have premium bedding, high-quality towels, and thoughtful touches. But we've learned to prioritize simplicity and reliability in functional items—especially appliances that guests interact with daily.

Key Takeaway: The most luxurious experience isn't always the most complex one. Sometimes, the best thing you can offer guests is something that works perfectly, every time, without any effort on their part.

For Coffee Enthusiasts: When an Espresso Machine Makes Sense

We're not saying espresso machines are always wrong for Airbnbs. If you're hosting in a space that specifically caters to coffee enthusiasts, or if you're in a location where guests expect premium coffee equipment, an espresso machine can be a great amenity. The key is knowing your audience.

If you do decide to include an espresso machine, consider:

  • Clear instructions: Provide step-by-step guides with photos
  • Pre-ground coffee: Remove the need for grinding equipment
  • Video tutorials: Link to helpful setup videos
  • Backup option: Also provide a simple drip coffee maker as an alternative
  • Quick reference card: Place a simple guide next to the machine

What We've Learned About Hosting

This experience reinforced something we've learned from years of hosting: the best amenities are the ones that make guests' lives easier, not the ones that impress us.

It's easy to get caught up in wanting to provide the "best" of everything—the most impressive appliances, the most luxurious features, the most elevated experiences. But hosting isn't about showing off; it's about serving guests well. And sometimes, serving guests well means choosing simplicity over sophistication.

We've applied this lesson to other aspects of hosting too. We prioritize clear communication over clever copy. We choose reliable appliances over impressive ones. We focus on what guests actually need, not what we think they should want.

Final Thought: The best hosting decisions come from listening to guests, not from our assumptions about what they want. When multiple guests ask for something simpler, that's valuable feedback worth acting on.

Conclusion

The CASABREWS CM5418 is a great espresso machine. It's well-built, produces excellent coffee, and offers exceptional value. But it wasn't the right choice for our Airbnb because it created more complexity than value for most of our guests.

We learned that when it comes to appliances and amenities, simpler is better. Guests want reliability, familiarity, and ease of use. They want to press a button and have things work, not learn a new skill or troubleshoot a complex machine.

This lesson has made us better hosts. We now prioritize guest needs over our preferences, simplicity over complexity, and reliability over impressiveness. And that's a lesson worth sharing.

If you're a host considering amenities for your space, remember: the best amenities are the ones guests can use immediately without thinking. Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most luxurious one.