# Why do hotels usually offer "free" (LOL) breakfast?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [March 28, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220 "2017-03-28T14:16:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/41 "2017-03-28T18:32:07Z")
Generally, it’s a pretty decent breakfast and it’s certainly convenient. I have seen it abused (one cheap hotel just had a box of donuts in the lobby), but the chains usually give you a nice selection – waffles, bacon, sausage, toast, juices, fruit, yogurt, coffee. Eggs are so-so, but you don’t need to eat them (and OTOH, you usually make the waffles fresh).
You can get something to eat without leaving the hotel, at a price – even factoring in the hidden fee – that’s better than going out for it. You can also grab something quickly if you’re in a hurry.
I don’t see any real downside.
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### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/42 "2017-03-28T18:49:36Z")
I traveled extensively during my working life. Breakfast ran the gamut from stale cereal in a gerbil feeder and 3-day old bagels to unlimited bacon and biscuits and gravy. The former didn’t get my return business, which is the whole point of being in the hotel business.
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### Author:  [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/43 "2017-03-28T18:54:43Z")
> [@SanVito](#):
>
> You can blame us Brits for that term. The ‘continent’, to us, is and always will be Mainland Europe, where they traditionally ate a lighter, uncooked breakfast (coffee and a croissant) as opposed to the [Full English](https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=full+english&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj28--EzPnSAhVoLcAKHZ8KAW4Q_AUIBigB&biw=1320&bih=1020).
Only, that’s a legend. I’ll see your full English and raise you a farmer’s breakfast. Or just the breakfast my definitely-not-farming family ate. Apparently someone in England confused “what people whose stomach doesn’t wake until noon eat before breakfast” with “breakfast”.
I favor hotels with “full breakfast buffet” specifically because “a croissant and a cuppa” doesn’t hold me up long enough to go pee. By the time I leave the bathroom I’m hungry again.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/44 "2017-03-28T18:57:16Z")
And, altho not “free” the added fee is generally much less that what you’d pay.
I go to Disney parks a lot. I like the food at the parks (not the usu burgers and hot dogs, but the nicer stuff), so I wanna get a fast cheap breakfast then get in.
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### Author:  [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/45 "2017-03-28T19:02:02Z")
Motel breakfasts are appreciated when on the run. As mentioned, work travel in particular may start pretty early and end pretty late with unknown breaks so wolfing down a few bites is quick, easy, and probably a good idea. I’ll acknowledge that the food is seldom any better than just fair but as good as can be expected for being made in a converted linen storeroom with a microwave.
I’m pretty sure I’ve posted about the breakfast of paradise I had at a midpriced hotel in Zurich. Cheese, coldcuts, pickles, pates, a few kinds of cold fish, quality breads, granolas and cereals. The hot sterno eggs sucked, though.
> [@chappachula](#):
>
> Or you can take the elevator to breakfast wearing a t-shirt.
Sir, we _do_ require footwear and, at a minimum, undergarments.
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### Author:  [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/46 "2017-03-28T19:07:09Z")
It’s not almost every hotel- it’s almost every hotel in particular price range that doesn’t have an onsite restaurant. I have never seen a free-to-everyone breakfast in a hotel with a restaurant- I have seen some of those with a relatively inexpensive breakfast buffet ( like $10) and I have even been at one that comped the buffet for some, but not all guests.
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### Author:  [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/47 "2017-03-28T19:09:26Z")
> [@Ludovic](#):
>
> I’ve stayed at hotels around 100 times and the number of times I’ve wanted ice and maid service could be counted in the low single digits.
Are you sure about that? It must be terribly inconvenient for you to wash the linens while traveling. 🙂
Note that there _are actually_ accommodations that don’t come with maid service included. Generally very budget. You either bring your own linens to sleep on or rent them.
> [@](#):
>
> But I do appreciate the bundled breakfast. It probably is cheaper to cook for everyone than to not get efficiencies of scale and to worry about charging people.
Exactly. You don’t have to value everything in the bundle for the bundle to be worth it as a whole.
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### Author:  [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/48 "2017-03-28T19:23:46Z")
Like many posters before me, I find it quick and convenient. Go to the desk and try to negotiate a free breakfast free rate. And watch out, some put food out at night, too.
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### Author:  [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/49 "2017-03-28T19:36:01Z")
> [@panache45](#):
>
> I’ve stayed in a few hotels in Europe in which the breakfast was the equivalent of an unlimited seven-course dinner. Especially, one in Amsterdam and one in Vienna. I’d totally pig out on breakfast, and not need to eat for the rest of the day, except for a very light supper. Totally worth it.
Yes! My one stay in Europe was at a fancy hotel in Vienna paid for by work.
It sounds dumb but one of my favorite memories was the buffet that had about 20 different kinds of milk, from skim all the way to half and half, in increments of ~1% fat content, all displayed in glass pitchers on ice. I tried a few and settled on the one that was around 5% butterfat, more than the “whole” milk sold here in the states. It was a cold, rich treat.
It had a fantastic spread of breakfast food but of course it was about 30 Euros, which is pretty expensive in real money. Good thing I wasn’t paying.
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### Author:  [@txjim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txjim)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/50 "2017-03-28T19:39:34Z")
My two favorite items in a hotel breakfast:
Choice hotels (and a few others) in Texas have state-shaped waffles
[Texas-shaped Waffles](https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g55599-d73697-i224543848-BEST_WESTERN_Cedar_Inn-Cedar_Park_Texas.html)
And, for some reason, my inner engineer loves this pancake maker seen at a couple different Holiday Inns
[Express Pancake machine](http://www.hotelfandb.com/biol/sep-oct2011-holiday-inn-express-pancake-machine.asp)
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### Author:  [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/51 "2017-03-28T19:54:34Z")
That pancake machine is awesome!
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### Author:  [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/52 "2017-03-28T20:02:15Z")
For some reason, hotel breakfasts in other parts of the world than the US have not gone down the route of cheap and nasty. Even in mid-range hotels in Europe, breakfasts are usually a huge all-you-can-eat buffet where you can select from an enormous range of hot foods, cold meats, every kind of bread, cereal, fruit and as many cups of coffee as you want. My problem is that I usually get too full before I’ve eaten everything I want to try.
Of course I am paying for breakfast as part of the cost of the room, but it is definitely worth it to me.
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### Author:  [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/53 "2017-03-28T21:12:36Z")
The cost of providing breakfast is really pretty marginal. Breakfast foods are generally cheap and easy to prepare in bulk, the space is already paid for, and there is rarely dedicated staff-- existing staff usually manage it in the downtime before the checkout rush. I’d be surprised if it costs more than a dollar a guest for an average spread.
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### Author:  [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/54 "2017-03-28T21:34:56Z")
> [@iamthewalrus\_3](#):
>
> Note that there _are actually_ accommodations that don’t come with maid service included. Generally very budget. You either bring your own linens to sleep on or rent them.
There are also mid-level hotels set up for longer-term stays which don’t provide daily maid service. They will clean once a week (and of course after checkout before giving the room to a new guest). There’s typically a sign in the room letting you know that if you need clean towels or whatever you can get them at the front desk.
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### Author:  [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/55 "2017-03-28T22:25:44Z")
My problem with the included hotel breakfast is that it’s usually poor quality. Unripe fruit, powdered “scrambled” eggs, too-sweet yogurt, drip coffee… no thanks.
If I’m at home, I’ve bought and prepared exactly what I want, and if I go out for breakfast, I don’t go to Denny’s, I go to a proper cafe with espresso and scratch-cooked egg dishes.
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### Author:  [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/56 "2017-03-28T22:51:03Z")
> [@Common\_Tater](#):
>
> When I was a little kid, the advertising verbiage seemed to be “Free Continental Breakfast”. To my way of thinking, continents are pretty large, so they must have quite a spread laid out for us hungry folks. When I discovered it was more along the lines of coffee and donuts, I was a bit miffed.
> [@Nava](#):
>
> Actually, the French are as miffed by that lousy breakfast as everybody else. It just seems to be a marketing way of saying “crappy breakfast”.
To me, continental breakfast means: Everything served cold. Nothing recently cooked.
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### Author:  [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2017, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/57 "2017-03-28T23:00:50Z")
I love the “free” breakfast routine. It’s usually scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries, a waffle machine, cereal, milk, juice, coffee, tea, fresh fruit, yoghurt, and no waiting!
How the hell is that bad?
Sent from my adequate mobile device using Tapatalk.
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### Author:  [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2017, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/58 "2017-03-29T00:18:19Z")
When my Wife and I are traveling to get somewhere, that’s the plan for the day. Travel, get to next destination. Eight hundred or 1000 mile days isn’t that unusual. So, a quick breakfast fix is all we really need to get moving. I won’t say it’s great, but it works and saves time.
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### Author:  [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2017, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/59 "2017-03-29T00:56:38Z")
Whether I’m traveling for work or pleasure, a free, fast breakfast is always welcome, even if it isn’t particularly good. Yes, I’m interested in trying local food, but I want to get my day started quickly and without having to worry about my early morning hunger. And my wife and I can take turns at breakfast while taking turns in the shower.
In London, Paris, Florence, Venice, and Rome, our free hotel breakfasts were fantastic. All you can eat cheese, meat, boiled eggs, milk and cereal, juices, coffee, toast, local jams and specialties.
The standard American motel breakfast isn’t as delectable, but it’s almost as satisfying. Especially if there’s a waffle maker.
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### Author:  [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2017, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-usually-offer-free-lol-breakfast/783220/60 "2017-03-29T00:59:16Z")
It’s funny that I just noticed this thread, while sitting at my “free” hotel breakfast. I’m in Wuhan, China and actually walking outside the hotel is quite difficult. The entire district is one huge construction zone, and my ability to pick a restaurant on the street that will serve a breakfast that I’d like is limited.
So the hotel breakfast is very appealing. It doesn’t hurt that the hotel is ridiculously fancy compared to anywhere I’ve stayed, and the breakfast offerings are excellent.
On my less extreme travels within the US I’ve always found the hotel breakfast to be a convenient start to a business day, and will typically purchase it even when it isn’t included. My more adventurous local meals are reserved for lunch and dinner.
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