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With, or Without, Breakfast?
If you have a choice between a room rate with breakfast or one without, which are you more likely to choose? I have done both. If I know we have a very early departure time I may opt out but a lot of times I’ll book with thinking it may be a better deal. Your thoughts? |
To paraphrase an old adage - There’s no such thing as a free breakfast. Anytime a hotel stay includes breakfast the cost is reflected in the rate you pay. The only way to tell if you are getting “a better deal” is if you a compare rates for the same level of room at the same hotel - i.e. a room with breakfast vs. the same room without breakfast. You can’t compare a room at hotel “A” with breakfast with a room at Hotel “B” without breakfast because that’s like comparing apples and oranges. Lastly, that “Free” breakfast can vary greatly from hotel to hotel so again difficult to make comparisons. I choose my hotel based on location, amenities, types of rooms and lastly price. If the rate includes breakfast that’s OK, if it doesn’t that’s OK too. Breakfast is not a deal maker or a deal breaker. |
Ditto. Makes absolutely no difference to me one way or the other. What matters is the total cost out of pocket for the class/quality of hotel -- don't care one whit if I am paying for the meal out of pocket or it is provided 'free' - since no one gives food away for -- you are paying for it one way or another.
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Without.
If I get "free" breakfast that means I'm tied to the hotel . I remember being in Valencia one summer. 40+C. Hotel only started serving breakfast at 8.30am. Without breakfast I would have been out well before that. Normally I tend to go out fairly early. In winter not a huge problem but during the summer with the early sunrise the last thing I've any interest in is the hotel breakfast. Plus the above comments on the quality of breakfast. I've stayed in some place breakfast is worth more than the room. OTOH I've stayed in place breakfast is worth less than a mint. |
To some extent it depends on the country. In a British B&B I certainly expect breakfast, in a hotel in southern Europe, not so much. I use booking.com a lot, and often there are rates with or without breakfast. I almost always consider the price for breakfast too high - instead I will pick up OJ and yoghurt and go to a cafe for coffee if there is no way to hear water in the room (yes, I could travel with an immersion coil, but I don't usually bother).
Usually, the more expensive the hotel, the more expensive the breakfast, but even in moderate hotels I am certainly not going to eat enough to justify the cost (my perennial problem with buffets). |
At times on booking.com the hotel pays you to take breakfast. What I mean is the room rate with breakfast can actually be cheaper than the room rate without breakfast.
Each hotel sets it's own rates and can adjust them. If they need to fill some rooms they'll often only adjust those think will get booked easier. |
To clarify - my response was re hotels. For B&Bs -- wouldn't really merit the title if they didn't provide b'fast ;)
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When I travel, I want breakfast in the place where I am staying, and part of my search for lodging involves finding a place where the breakfast gets good reviews. So I book rooms with the breakfast option. Its just another way in which travelers differ.
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Some B&Bs don’t provide breakfast, despite their title. If you want breakfast it might be a better deal to take the rate that includes it as it could be a lower price than deciding to take it once at the hotel. |
B&Bs in Jasper, Canada, are not allowed to serve breakfast.... |
When I book a hotel, I never book a hotel with breakfast. I just go for a walk before the hotel starts to serve breakfast. I like to walk for a long time. And I can have breakfast in a cafe at any time. Believe it will be the same money if you book a hotel with breakfast.
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B&Bs in Jasper, Canada, are not allowed to serve breakfast....
Do they call them Bed and Blanket? Bed and Bathroom? |
No standard answer. Depends on how much the added cost is, what time I need to leave the hotel, and also the reputation of the breakfast. I won't pay extra for bad coffee and an Otis Spunkmeyer muffin, for example. For a well-regarded buffet with local specialties, I'm likely to treat it as a part of the trip experience. Sometimes the cost of a hotel breakfast is not more than the nearby options, especially if you need multiple cups of coffee.
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Originally Posted by stonestephany
(Post 16945738)
When I book a hotel, I never book a hotel with breakfast. I just go for a walk before the hotel starts to serve breakfast. I like to walk for a long time. And I can have breakfast in a cafe at any time. Believe it will be the same money if you book a hotel with breakfast.
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Without. A hotel breakfast holds no appeal for me.
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I really wouldn't recommend walking around Johannesburg SA looking for breakfast, LOL.
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All depends on situation. In the US, if not in a big city, included breakfasts are often horrible, but hotels do not always have convenient restaurants nearby, so a quick hotel breakfast is better than nothing. If we want to get started sightseeing early, then it is good to have a quick croissant and juice, coffee, etc. in the hotel. In some lovely town where there are nice cafes, it is nice to leave the hotel and walk to sit outdoors and enjoy the ambiance. Taking a break and relaxing in a beautiful hotel garden or balcony for breakfast is wonderful is Europe in Summer. So, not one answer. |
Always interesting to read the different viewpoints. |
Originally Posted by thursdaysd
(Post 16945555)
B&Bs in Jasper, Canada, are not allowed to serve breakfast.... |
Being a part of a loyalty program sometimes gives us a free breakfast which we do partake in. I will sometimes pack my cereal and just get milk and coffee at a hotel. When traveling overseas, I tend to get the breakfast included or room with breakfast to make it easier. I am a slow starter so having breakfast at the hotel or in my room is the best for me.
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I prefer to have breakfast before I'm really acceptable for public viewing, so I like to find a hotel with mini-fridge to keep my yogurt or milk for cereal. I also like to brush my teeth after breakfast, and need to be close to a toilet after coffee.... So for all that, I like to have breakfast at the hotel, but in the privacy of my own room with fridge.
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It depends where I am - if I'm staying in a small village or out of the way place, Breakfast is important. I like to eat as soon as I get up so I don't want to be searching out somewhere or having to drive somewhere. If I'm in a city or town, I'm less concerned because we can pop out straight away.
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Totally agree that it depends on the country and obviously the location.
Country – We've found that the hotel breakfasts in Asia are very tasty and incredible value. North America, not so much. We always try to check hotel reviews / photos of the breakfast spread before deciding. Location – If you are staying in a central area with easy access to restaurants, it might make more sense to skip breakfast at the hotel and find a good restaurant near by. |
Prefer not.
I have been charged too much in my opinion for hotel breakfasts. My hubby and I tend to be light breakfast eaters, so we can decide to eat in the hotel restaurant in the morning rather than be disappointed in a barely-there buffet paid for in advance.
I seem to remember paying EU 17 each for toast and store bought croissants with coffee, then discovering there was a lovely café two doors down. |
I just want a cup of coffee normally but in Germany the breakfast can be so good I will pay for it. If the cost is high forget it. The Victoria in Nurnberg had the best breakfast ever. I am not a fan of cereal, warm yoghurt and a few pastries. I would rather go out, walk around and hit up a good coffee shop even if on the road. I remember this one B&Bin Normandy that never put the yogurt up.It sat on the table. I ate a piece of toast. Premier Inn chain has a nice restaurant and they do a good breakfast that my husband likes. It is extra and you can decide each day if you want or not.
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i'll look to have breakfast included at the majority of my hotels stays. i won't book until i-A) look at reviews posted with details regarding the food B) google map the area close by for other options C) find out what time the service begins. we tend to start our days early to maximize activity time so if breakfast isn't served until say 7:30, i'll find another choice. on some occasions, if we have a mini fridge, we'll pick up grocery items the night before-yogurt, fruit, muffin, etc-and do the in room eating before heading out. if you shop around properly, a breakfast included room can absolutely save you time and not be any more expensive than a room without the meal.
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Hotel breakfasts are generally undistinguished and overpriced. I book the no breakfast rate and always find a nearby source of same price much better sit down breakfast or a cheap do-it-yourself breakfast such as really nice pastry or yogurt. Our upcoming trip has an exception: The discounted no refund pay in advance hotel rate if booked through the hotel rather than the same price via online booking sites gave free breakfast, and the picture looks pretty good.
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I look for included breakfasts when traveling in Europe - I read the reviews looking for comments on the breakfast, the more glowing the better. I love a good European (especially German) breakfast.
When in the US though, I don't give a fig about hotel offered breakfast because they're usually rubbish (at least in the category of hotel I tend to book in). |
Hotel breakfasts give one autonomy - no waiting for a travel partner to be ready. I want my coffee now, thank you. (Will not make coffee in the room, just won’t do it.) And I don’t care if I can save €5 by not including it ~ I’m on vacation! YMMV |
It depends on how much is added breakfast included. I tend not to anymore now though, after tasting overpriced but disappointing meals. I'd rather research ahead where to eat outside the hotel and actually enjoy the beginning of the day, or just get a cup of coffee.
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Generally U.S. hotel breakfasts are rubbish. Generally, Colombian and Peruvian breakfasts are not rubbish. Generally, Portuguese breakfasts are wonderful. Generally, so are South African breakfasts.
My biggest problem is that, generally, included breakfasts start too late. So in-room coffee or an all-day coffee dispenser in the lobby are generally more important than the included or not included breakfast. For my early starts, a refrigerator and all-day coffee (whether in the lobby or my room) are generally more important than the breakfast. Although sometimes, if the breakfast is really good, I'll stay in late just to take advantage. |
(Will not make coffee in the room, just won’t do it.)
Hmmm... and I need at least one cup of coffee before I go out anywhere in public!! |
I have booked both but for the most part it's with breakfast. I don't eat a lot but like having the option of something quick. I don't get up early to go for a walk before I go out. I get up, go for breakfast then leave for the day. I don't like trying to find a place to get a drink or something to eat when I haven't been before. For me, finding a place is more work. When at home, I do not eat breakfast so why I do the opposite when traveling.
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In the US, I always look at the kind of breakfast that is offered and will pay more for the lodging if the breakfast is good. Typically the ones with better breakfast are also nicer, so worth a little more money on both accounts.
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Originally Posted by suze
(Post 16958959)
(Will not make coffee in the room, just won’t do it.)
Hmmm... and I need at least one cup of coffee before I go out anywhere in public!! But those words have stayed with me, obviously. |
Well how very sweet! You obviously think i am a lot younger than I am :-) I'm not afraid of using a hotel coffee maker. Yes I rinse it out and run some hot water thru it a couple times before making a pot. You can bring your own coil, cup, and instant if that makes you feel more confident -lol!
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We like to have breakfast included, all other things being equal. We are not early risers. We prefer to eat at the hotel, return to our room to get ready for the day, and be gone until after dinner.
Some of the best breakfasts ever have been when traveling: The Avenida Palace in Lisbon, the Hotel Kaiserin Elisabeth in Vienna, Hotel Julia in Rome, Hotel Uhland in Munich, Park Plaza in Boston, etc. |
I'm with MoBro. Unless I know there's a convenient breakfast place nearby, I want to be easily able to return to the room after breakfast for a pit stop, tooth brushing, and getting the materials needed for the long day ahead!
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Omg when I was just in Europe, not only was breakfast not included, but it was crazy expensive like 20€ & up. I didn't expect it to be included, but I didn't expect it to be that much either and did'nt plan this travel expenses :) 30€ at the hotel by the Louvre. I could get a crepe across the street for like 5/6€.
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In my opinion not only it is usually cheaper to buy pastries or sandwiches in bakeries, together with coffee or tea, but you're also independent from hotel's breakfast hours. And you also try more local ingredients.
However this solution is not for people who cannot go outside with empty stomach - for them it's better to rent an apartment with kitchen and cook breakfast themselves. Rarely have I eaten good breakfast in hotel (maybe in those with 4+ stars). |
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