Does Your Motel Include Free Daily Breakfast? Understanding The Four Basic Types Offered
More and more properties are vying for your vacation dollar with the promise of breakfast included in the room rate. On the surface this sounds great, but you should consider digging a little deeper to see exactly what that "free breakfast" includes. The four basic categories are listed below.
Continental Breakfast
The phrase "continental breakfast" covers a lot of territory. It can be anything from coffee, tea, donuts and pastries in the hotel lobby, to offerings that include cold cereal, milk and maybe some fruit or juice. These types of breakfasts are typical of budget properties that offer clean, comfortable rooms with more basic amenities.
Deluxe Continental
Deluxe continental breakfasts go a bit further. Often you'll find hard boiled eggs, waffles or bread that you can toast as needed. The fruit selection is usually more elaborate, as is the pastry and cereal selection. Some properties add a selection of teas and even flavoured coffee and/or creamers. You may even find packets of instant oatmeal so you can have something hot. There is usually a dedicated breakfast area, typically off of the motel lobby. Some properties also offer "to go" breakfast bags that you can grab on your way out the door.
Full Breakfast
The full breakfast is served in a dedicated breakfast area. This is where you'll find trays of hot foods on warmers, such as cooked bacon, scrambled eggs, sausage and fried potatoes. Toast, pastries and muffins are usually on the menu, as are fruit salads and a large assortment of sliced and whole fruit. Full breakfasts usually have enough of a selection that even if you are staying more than a couple of days you won't feel deprived. Most properties that offer full breakfast are in the mid-range price category. Sometimes breakfast sandwiches and other goodies are available in "on the go" grab bags.
Full Cooked-To-Order Breakfast
The full cooked-to-order breakfast is usually served by the higher end motels or hotel/motel hybrids. If a property has an onsite restaurant, that eatery will often host the breakfast. Guests may just show their room key and sign for their meal, or the property could issue coupons. A few properties have their own onsite breakfast areas that have cook stations where you can order a freshly made omelette, waffles or even pancakes. These stations are often part of a huge breakfast buffet that includes a selection of breads, muffins, pastries, fruits and whatever else is available that day. Depending on the locale, you might even find white rice and/or a simmering pot of baked beans. You can also opt to have your meal to go, but some of the more elaborate items don't work in the breakfast bag scenario. You might be looking at a take-out container.
For more information on hotel/motel breakfasts, contact a local establishment such as Welcome Inn 277.
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