A hotel breakfast can save time, money and a hunt for a café. The catch? “Breakfast” can mean different things. Here’s how to pick the best hotel breakfast for your trip and budget.
Good to Know:
What are the main types of hotel breakfasts in the UK?
Continental: This is the lightest spread. Includes pastries, toast, cereal, yoghurt, fruit and tea/coffee. Hot items are usually limited.
Hot buffet: Everything included in the continental breakfast, plus cooked dishes—eggs, bacon/sausage, hash browns, porridge—and often a DIY waffle/pancake station. Widely offered at mid-scale UK brands.
Set menu (restaurant): A plated breakfast chosen from a short menu (e.g., a full English, a lighter option, or a local speciality). Tea/coffee are typically included; juice and sides may cost extra.
Did you know? Some UK chains rotate items at weekends or school holidays—always check the property page for that week’s line-up.
“Free breakfast” vs “breakfast included”
Free breakfast is a brand amenity for all guests (e.g., at Holiday Inn Express or Hampton by Hilton in the UK). When a rate says “breakfast included”, it doesn’t automatically mean “free” in the casual sense—you’re still paying for it, it’s just an option bundled in with the nightly rate.
What it usually covers:
Breakfast during set hours for registered guests on your booking (often two adults; policies for children vary).
A specific format (continental/hot buffet/set menu), as stated on the hotel page.
What it often doesn’t cover:
Room service, specialty coffee drinks, à-la-carte upgrades, alcohol, and any gratuities.
What UK hotels actually offer for breakfast
Several UK hotel chains now include breakfast in certain rates or loyalty offers. For example:
Premier Inn: Famous unlimited buffet “from just £10.99” (price varies by hotel). Up to two kids under 16 eat free with a paying adult. Continental options are cheaper than the full cooked spread.
Travelodge (Bar Café hotels): Unlimited paid breakfast at hotels with a Bar Café. The typical family deal is that children can eat for £1 with a full-paying adult at participating sites (offers vary; always check the hotel page).
Holiday Inn Express: Stays generally include a complimentary "Express Start" brekkie with their room rates. While the specifics can vary by location, it typically consists of a buffet with a selection of hot and cold items.
Hampton by Hilton: Free hot breakfast for all guests across UK Hampton properties.
Did you know? Holiday Inn Express is testing “breakfast aroma” wake-up diffusers in select international markets, which guests can use as a substitute for an alarm clock. The idea is that the smell of breakfast is much more appealing to wake up to than a blaring alarm clock.
How to get free (or cheaper) hotel breakfast
Pick brands where it’s included. If breakfast every morning is a must, short-list hotels like Holiday Inn Express or Hampton by Hilton.
Compare rate types. The “breakfast included” rate may cost only a small premium over the room‑only rate. Do the math: If the up‑charge is less than you’d spend buying some brekkie locally, it’s worth it.
Ask about on-site vouchers. Some hotels sell breakfast add-ons at check-in priced below the menu rate—always worth enquiring.
Check child policies. Premier Inn commonly lets up to two kids under-16 eat free with a paying adult; Travelodge often runs £1-per-child offers at Bar Café sites. Premier Inn+1
How to choose the right hotel breakfast setup for your trip
If you want something quick and consistent, a brand with free or bundled breakfast keeps mornings simple. If you prefer a sit-down meal one day and a lighter start the next, a full-service hotel with a restaurant might suit—just weigh the “breakfast included” upcharge against nearby cafés
Skyscanner can help you filter by hotels with breakfast, compare rates side-by-side, and spot when a package is a better value than a room-only option.
