Breakfast is perhaps the most important meal of the day especially when you are travelling. Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure it’s important to start your day with a hearty breakfast. You need to make sure that you are fuelled up for an entire day of business engagements or sightseeing. This is why a free breakfast is one of the requirements of most travelers when looking for a hotel to book. If your preferred hotel does not offer free breakfast then it would not hurt to ask if they can include it in your booking especially if you are staying for a longer period.
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Can You Eat Hotel Breakfast Without Staying?
You can eat breakfast at any hotel but if you are not a guest there then you have to pay their rate for non-guests. Most big hotels allow non-guests to enjoy their breakfast offerings but the free breakfast is exclusive only for their checked-in guests. However, it is always best to inquire beforehand if the hotel restaurant of your choice allows non-guest diners during their breakfast service. Some small hotels only serve breakfast exclusively for their guests. This may be due to their limited space or staff. If you plan to have breakfast at a hotel then your best option would be to opt for the bigger hotels so you can be accommodated.
How To Get A Free Breakfast
Most hotels offer free breakfast for their guests. However, the free breakfast will depend on your choice of hotel. If you are staying at a high-end hotel then you can expect a sumptuous breakfast buffet spread. However, if you are staying at a budget hotel then you can also expect a more modest breakfast offering. Budget hotels may not offer a buffet spread but instead serve you a plated meal for breakfast.
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Some hotels that do not offer free breakfast to all their guests but only to their elite loyalty program members. This means that you have to be a member of their loyalty program and earn enough points to become an elite member. You need to stay at that specific hotel or their partner hotels to earn points. Your elite status will also come with other perks aside from the free breakfast.
Why Do Hotels Offer Free Breakfast
Hotels offer free breakfast to attract more guests. A free breakfast is one of the most common considerations when you are looking for a hotel to book for your trip. It is also the hotel’s way of making sure that their guests have a very convenient stay. Imagine the hassle of having to roam around early in the morning just to look for a place to have your breakfast. You would have to eat your meal in a hurry just to make sure that you make it on time for your sightseeing tours. If your hotel offers free breakfast then you would save a lot of time in the morning. You would also save a lot of money since there is no need to spend money on your first meal of the day.
Complimentary Breakfast Hotel Meaning And Hotel Complimentary Breakfast Hours
A complimentary breakfast is another way to call the free breakfast offered by the hotel. Complimentary means that it is free or comes without a fee. This term may also apply to a free drink or stay that the hotel may offer its guests. The word complimentary is one of the best things to hear when you are on a trip. Anything free would be very much appreciated when traveling.
Complimentary breakfast hours may vary depending on the hotel where you are staying. This may also depend on the country where you are traveling to. Commonly, hotels begin serving their complimentary breakfast as early as 6 am. This is to accommodate their guests who are off to an early start. Some of their guests leave early for their business appointments and prefer to get breakfast very early. Guests who have booked sightseeing tours are also usually off to an early start. The hotel’s breakfast service often ends at 9 am but some extend it to as late as 10 am. This is to accommodate the late risers.
Some guests prefer to savor their vacation and wake up late. If you want to stay in bed longer then you can also inquire if the restaurant can have your breakfast served in your room. You don’t have to bother getting dressed and leaving your room. And you get to enjoy your breakfast in bed which is such an amazing way to start your day while on vacation. The complimentary breakfast hours may vary so it is best to inquire from the restaurant staff or the front desk. It would be such a waste if you miss the breakfast hours and don’t get to avail yourself of the free breakfast.
What Is It Called When You Get Free Breakfast At A Hotel
A free breakfast at a hotel is called a complimentary breakfast. This may come as part of your booking or as an elite member of the hotel’s loyalty program. There is also another way of getting a free breakfast at a hotel. This may be due to a circumstance where the hotel has made your stay inconvenient such as a broken water heater or an error on their part. The hotel may offer a free breakfast as a way to compensate for the inconvenience they have caused you. It is also their way of ensuring that you will continue to patronize their establishment on your future trips.
Is It Common For Hotels To Offer Free Breakfast
It is very common for hotels to include free breakfast in their room packages. This makes their guests’ stay very comfortable. Guests may have the option to avail of their free breakfast at the restaurant or have it served in their room. Travelers also prefer the convenience of a free breakfast served at the hotel because it is more budget-friendly. You do not have to worry about spending lots of money for your breakfast while on vacation because it is absolutely free. If you are on a tight budget then you can have a hearty breakfast and you are all set for a day of sightseeing. You can just have a light meal during lunchtime and save a lot of money. A free breakfast from your hotel can help make sure that you stay within your budget while traveling.
When looking for a hotel, travelers immediately check if the hotel offers free breakfast and if it does not then they move on to the next option. This is the reason why most hotels offer free breakfast so that they can be sure that they have a steady clientele throughout the year. A seasoned traveler would surely choose a hotel with complimentary breakfast over any other amenities that other hotels may offer.
Can I Ask For Free Breakfast At Any Time During My Stay, Or Is There A Best Time To Do So?
The free breakfast can only be availed during the breakfast service hours of the hotel restaurant. This is often between 6 am until 9 am or as late as 10 am. If you are on a tight schedule during your trip and do not have the time to sit and eat then you can ask the restaurant staff if they can pack a meal for you. Some hotel restaurants allow takeaway for their free breakfast. However, there are some strictly implement the no takeaway policy for their breakfast especially when it is a buffet set-up.
The best time to enjoy your free breakfast would be during the first hour or so of the breakfast service hours. During this time, everything is still warm and freshly cooked. When you go in late for your meal then some of the food options may have already run out. The restaurant staff will no longer make any refills since the breakfast service is about to end. If you want to make the best of your free breakfast then it is best to come in early for your meal.
What Should I Do If The Hotel Declines My Request For Free Breakfast?
There may be instances when you are expecting to get a free breakfast but once you get to the hotel your request is declined. If that is the case then you can assert your rights as a paying guest and demand compensation. But first, you have to show proof that your original booking does include a free breakfast. If you can prove that the amount you paid for includes a complimentary breakfast then you can demand a discount from the hotel staff. They should make a deduction from your hotel room rate since they could not give you a free breakfast. What is important is that you make your demands in a very calm and respectful manner. If all goes well, you may even get your free breakfast after all.
Conclusion
Whether you are traveling for leisure or work, a free breakfast from your hotel can make your trip hassle-free and budget-friendly. It could save you a lot of energy and money. You may forego other hotel amenities and perks but never the free breakfast. A superb breakfast buffet from your hotel could easily become the highlight of your trip.
