Why Hotel Breakfast Isn’t Always Free (and Why Guests Can’t Stop Asking)
There’s a question that haunts every hotel front desk: “Is breakfast included?” If you’ve ever checked into a hotel, you’ve probably asked it yourself. If you’ve ever worked the front desk—well, you might have developed a mild eye twitch from hearing it day after day. But why does this seemingly simple question rile up so many hospitality workers? And why do guests keep getting it wrong, despite all the booking info at their fingertips?
Let’s dig into a recent viral tale from Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk, where one front desk agent vented about the never-ending breakfast conundrum. Get ready for stories of guest assumptions, the power of the word “free,” and the surprising etiquette of hotel bribery.
The Myth of the Free Hotel Breakfast
Once upon a time, it seemed like breakfast and hotels went together like coffee and mornings. But as u/how-about-no-scott discovered, those days are largely gone: “I was very surprised when looking at hotels the other day to find that breakfast wasn't included for all bookings! This didn't used to be a thing. If the hotel had breakfast, it was for everyone.” The industry’s changed—now, you’re more likely to get a “breakfast rate” or à la carte options, especially if you’re booking through a third-party site for a bargain price.
And that’s where the confusion begins. As the original poster (u/Thisisurcaptspeaking) lamented, guests who book the cheapest $65 room through discount sites like “costbar.com” often assume a lavish breakfast will be waiting for them just because there’s a restaurant on site. Spoiler: It isn’t.
But why does this simple misunderstanding cause so much drama? The OP clarified in an edit: “I get annoyed and angry when they try to argue with me or use the 'I booked this hotel for the complimentary breakfast' which we don't have unless you book the breakfast rate—and even then, it’s not complimentary.” Asking is fine. Demanding—and arguing—is what wears staff down.
Free? The Most Powerful Word in Hospitality
“Free is one of the strongest words in the English language,” observed u/grifficusprime. And it’s true—nothing gets the guest masses moving quite like the promise (or even the whiff) of a freebie. That’s why u/Inside_Lavishness316 counts their blessings for working at a property where breakfast is always included, even if the attached restaurant doesn’t open until 11am. “No matter what, people love free.”
But in many hotels, “free breakfast” is like a magic spell that only works under certain conditions. As u/DVDragOnIn put it, savvy travelers know to “read the amenities listing” and book accordingly. Yet, as u/mizukata (a hotel receptionist herself) confessed, even industry insiders can miss the fine print: “I made a reservation for a hotel after my wedding night. I paid 400 euros per night. I didn’t notice it was a room only reservation. But I didn’t get sideways with staff over it. It’s my fault I didn’t read.”
This, perhaps, is the crux: It’s okay to ask. It’s okay to be surprised. But as u/MuttonDressedAsGoose so wisely summed up, “Asking is fine. Pitching a fit isn’t.”
The Battle of Assumptions vs. Reality
Why do guests assume breakfast is included? Habit, wishful thinking, and sometimes, just not reading the booking details. As u/Known-Veterinarian-2 argued, “Some guests have no idea how this works and are asking because of this… members of the public don’t [know the property policies].” Others, like u/GoldenGalz, believe the burden is on the guest: “You have to be a legal adult to make reservations, so how hard is it to find out what’s offered while making said reservations…”
Sometimes, it’s not even the guest who made the booking. Maybe it was their partner, travel manager, or a third-party site, as u/RedDazzlr pointed out. But as u/virtualhumanoid snarked, “They were able to book an international flight online… yet they are not able to read what’s included and the policies to what they’re booking? Come on.”
And let’s not forget the hotel’s side. As u/Tonythecritic revealed, at their luxury hotel, the breakfast buffet is $40—and every guest asks if it’s included, no matter how much they shelled out for the room. Some even get creative with their complaints, from “the pattern on the carpet gives them a headache” to “your nose is too small for your face.” Anything to score a freebie.
Etiquette, Empathy, and the Occasional Bribe
So what’s the right way to handle the breakfast question? For guests, it’s simple: Ask nicely, accept the answer, and don’t argue. As u/No-One-8850 put it, “There’s nothing wrong with asking regardless of what you paid as long as you ask nicely and take no for an answer gracefully.”
For staff, a little empathy goes a long way. Many commenters pointed out that burnout is real: after a morning of dealing with “Karens,” even the nicest guest might get the short end of the stick. Still, kindness is often rewarded. Motorcycle riders who come in “conspicuously miserable and resembling a drowned rat” might get a freebie just for being polite (and pitiful), as u/RedDazzlr and the OP both attested.
And yes, apparently, if you slip a $20 to the front desk agent, there’s a chance you’ll score those coveted breakfast vouchers—though as u/birdofparadise6 called out, “How gross and unprofessional.” The OP, for the record, seemed to be joking… mostly.
Conclusion: Check Before You Book (And Be Kind!)
At the end of the day, the breakfast debate is a microcosm of the modern travel experience: a tangle of assumptions, policies, and human foibles. Want breakfast? Read before you book. Still not sure? Ask—just don’t argue if the answer isn’t what you hoped. And if you work the front desk, take heart: There are plenty of guests out there who get it and appreciate your patience (and maybe, just maybe, they’ll bring you coffee).
What’s your take—have you ever been surprised by a missing breakfast, or scored a freebie with kindness? Share your travel tales (or front desk horror stories) in the comments below!
Original Reddit Post: 'Is breakfast included...?'