With, or Without, Breakfast?
Jun 30th, 2019, 02:37 PM
#1
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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?
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?
Jun 30th, 2019, 04:57 PM
#2
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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.
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.
Last edited by RoamsAround; Jun 30th, 2019 at 05:12 PM.
Jun 30th, 2019, 06:30 PM
#3
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.
Jun 30th, 2019, 08:12 PM
#4
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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.
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.
Jun 30th, 2019, 08:16 PM
#5
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).
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).
Last edited by thursdaysd; Jun 30th, 2019 at 08:19 PM.
Jun 30th, 2019, 08:33 PM
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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.
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.
Jun 30th, 2019, 09:17 PM
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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.
Jun 30th, 2019, 10:00 PM
#9
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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.
Jul 1st, 2019, 10:33 AM
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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.
Jul 1st, 2019, 10:59 AM
#13
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.
Jul 1st, 2019, 11:03 AM
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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.
Jul 1st, 2019, 02:40 PM
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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.
Jul 6th, 2019, 08:54 PM
#20
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.
