Hyatt Place seems to once again be trying to figure out a way to eliminate free breakfast at properties in the United States. I’m curious to see if the trial gets scrapped, or if we see it expanded this time around.
In this post:
Some Hyatt Place properties in US charging for breakfast
Tanner Saunders reports on how Hyatt is currently running a trial at select Hyatt Place properties in the United States, whereby complimentary breakfast is no longer included for all World of Hyatt members.
Historically, Hyatt Place has been known for its free breakfast offering, at least at properties in the United States (abroad it’s standard for Hyatt Place properties to charge, though they generally have more extensive buffets).
The current Hyatt Place breakfast trial is taking place at roughly 40 properties in the United States. At these hotels, you have the choice of booking a rate that includes breakfast. Otherwise you can buy breakfast on-property, with the cost reportedly being $11 per person at some properties.
This isn’t the first time that Hyatt has conducted a trial like this. The hotel group also conducted a similar test back in 2018. What ended up coming of that trial is that Hyatt limited free breakfast at Hyatt Place properties to World of Hyatt members, as a way of encouraging guests to join the loyalty program and book direct. However, nothing additional came of that.
Then I suspect the pandemic delayed any additional possible changes, as hotels first tried to cope with the impacts of that.
Here’s how Hyatt describes this latest trial in a statement:
“At the moment, a limited number of Hyatt Place hotels in the U.S. are piloting new grab-and-go menu options while others are testing a rate plan that allows guests to book a stay that does not include breakfast. World of Hyatt Globalists continue to enjoy a free breakfast at all Hyatt Place hotels globally.”
“For guests at hotels that are piloting a rate plan option that does not include breakfast, guests are informed of the various rate options when booking, and are reminded again at check-in, and via collateral in hotels. Guests who booked before this alternative rate plan was first offered at these hotels in September still receive breakfast with all rate plans.”
Can Hyatt Place get away with not offering free breakfast?
When you think of limited service properties, free breakfast is an amenity that often comes to mind. However, as we all know, hotel owners want better margins, and nickel-and-diming can be one way to accomplish that. Can Hyatt Place get away with cutting free breakfast without losing customers? A few thoughts:
- Presumably this initiative would partly be about reducing breakfast costs, but would primarily be about generating more revenue by being able to charge higher rates for those who value breakfast
- Back in the day it felt like limited service properties pretty consistently had free breakfast, though it’s not quite a standard in the same way it used to be, with brands like Aloft, Moxy, etc.
- Interestingly Hyatt recently launched the Hyatt Studio limited service brand, and that does include a complimentary grab & go breakfast as a brand standard; so if it’s all about margins, one wonders why Hyatt didn’t try to launch that brand without free breakfast
- Limited service hotel breakfast kind of reminds me of economy airplane food; people love to complain about the quality, but are also angry when it isn’t included for free
- I’m curious how Hyatt is analyzing the results of this; does it come down to feedback/survey results, booking patterns, or what? It seems difficult to fully assess this, since I imagine there’s quite a bit of confusion during the trial, since many people expect free breakfast
- It’s almost hard to turn Hyatt Place breakfast into a paid thing based on how Hyatt Place breakfast areas are designed, as it’s often just the lobby seating that’s used for breakfast
Bottom line
Hyatt Place is once again trialing charging for breakfast at properties in the United States. At select hotels, guests either have to book a rate that includes breakfast, or otherwise have to pay on-property. Clearly Hyatt wants to find a way to charge for breakfast at its limited service brand, based on this being a repeated test.
What do you make of Hyatt Place’s paid breakfast trial?
Take my $11 and to Waffle House. There I get free entertainment with the meal. If you have eaten at a Waffle House, then you know.
If customers accept this, we deserve things like extra charges for pillows and blankets.
What a slap in the wallet for Hyatt customers...Bye-att.
From my experience, Hyatt place breakfasts are hands down better than free breakfasts offered at select service Mariotte and Hilton properties (and choice privilege falls even further behind). I've encountered real eggs, biscuits and gravy, cheliqueles, and more at Hyatt places. And most of them I've stayed at make better oatmeal, and offer way more toppings, than Fairfield or Hampton Inn (both which offer soup for oatmeal).
To the comment about $11 getting you...
From my experience, Hyatt place breakfasts are hands down better than free breakfasts offered at select service Mariotte and Hilton properties (and choice privilege falls even further behind). I've encountered real eggs, biscuits and gravy, cheliqueles, and more at Hyatt places. And most of them I've stayed at make better oatmeal, and offer way more toppings, than Fairfield or Hampton Inn (both which offer soup for oatmeal).
To the comment about $11 getting you coffee and pancakes at a grassy spoon... Ive not had even coffee and pancakes for that cheap anywhere I've lived during my adult life... After tax and tip, breakfast with coffee is at least $20. (Well maybe a plain stack of pancakes from Dennys value menu is only $6 plus tax and tip)
It sucks that they are taking away something... But that's life- it's what everyone everywhere is doing because corporations are all about showing continued growth and profitablity (which is kind of ridiculous... You can't always grow for ever. That's just insane)
I factor everything- from expected cost of breakfast to parking and amenity fees- into my decision of where to stay. And for most stays, the cheapest option wins (of a trustworthy brand). So no breakfast means Hyatt place will lose more than it already does. (iIn most markets I frequent, Fairfield seems to usually be the cheapest of the acceptable select service options)
Meh. They are free to run their business as they please. If it loses them considerable business, they'll back petal. But I don't think it'll hurt them. Hilton has scaled back breakfast with Spark (and doesn't actually offer free breakfast to top tier elites). Mariotte has a bunch of select service options that don't include breakfast, including courtyard (and also largely doesn't offer actual free breakfast to top tier elites).
IHG only offers breakfast at a couple of it's brands. And choice privilege allegedly offers it at most, but usually all it is is yogurt and packaged muffins.
I am staying at a few 3500 point Hyatt Places on my holiday drive across the country (and back in January). So far, I haven't seen the option to pay more for breakfast. I expect my 3500 point places to be a bit run-down and I don't expect much for breakfast - yogurt and coffee, maybe a bagel - as it's only one night and then it's back in the car. As long as the...
I am staying at a few 3500 point Hyatt Places on my holiday drive across the country (and back in January). So far, I haven't seen the option to pay more for breakfast. I expect my 3500 point places to be a bit run-down and I don't expect much for breakfast - yogurt and coffee, maybe a bagel - as it's only one night and then it's back in the car. As long as the area is safe and no one messes with the car I can deal with worn furniture, etc. I make sure the bed is clean and I'll wipe down surfaces if I bring dinner back, that's about it.
I generally just take a yoghurt a piece of fruit and coffee. Not $11 worth.
The economics of this is simple. The cost of providing "free" are spread across all room rates. Charging for breakfast (at a pay-per-visit or a higher room rate mode) suggests, in equilibrium, I (who passes of maybe 28 or so free breakfasts every year) will pay less. I know some will contend I wont pay less, just others more. Nope. One word: competition.
I stay at a lot of Hyatt Places (or is it Hyatts Place?). Years ago, they were a leader in their segment for breakfast. Now, I think Hyatt Place breakfasts are among the worst. The vast majority of them also haven't been renovated since the brand launched, and they're really showing their age. I stayed at one in Memphis this year that wouldn't have even been suitable as a minimum-security prison. At one in Buffalo...
I stay at a lot of Hyatt Places (or is it Hyatts Place?). Years ago, they were a leader in their segment for breakfast. Now, I think Hyatt Place breakfasts are among the worst. The vast majority of them also haven't been renovated since the brand launched, and they're really showing their age. I stayed at one in Memphis this year that wouldn't have even been suitable as a minimum-security prison. At one in Buffalo last month, their breakfast buffet had a bowl of lemons that was totally covered in mold.
Why do I keep choosing Hyatt Place, then? I have become addicted to Globalist.
Breakfast is the only reason to stay at Hyatt Place. It is an inexpensive way to separate themselves from the huge number of hotels that don't include breakfast. To maintain occupancy, Hyatt Place hotels will be forced to significantly reduce prices.
Businesses, ie; CEO's or upper management always need to push the envelope, cut costs, trials. They want to see how much push back before making a permanent change.
Practically speaking, it is a perk, when we are driving across the USA, we are up early for driving, we enjoy a quick bite, something warm to get us on our way.
That will be missed if they take it away permanently.
We are Globalists.
I'd only think $11 is worth it if the food quality improves. If not, I guess I'll earn loyalty nights with some other limited service chain.
First it was no double dipping then resort charges then no free breakfast only a bit of money now no breakfast.
Across all brands each hotel chain is trying to make the hotel experience as crappy as possible. Unless customers say HOLD - TOO MUCH the nickle and dime-ing will continue.
Eventually someone will come up with "double dip, free breakfast and no fees: and will sweep everyone up with the high class of service.
This is a very penny-pinching tiny-minded measure that will definitely diminish the current offering.
I will certainly look elsewhere for US hotel accommodation as a result unless they cancel their “experiment”
Cahn't make this stuff up!
The problem is that the claim that overall Hyatt point redemptions are leagues ahead of H&M when it comes to getting good deals is totally bogusad stupid. There is no world in which Hyatt...
Cahn't make this stuff up!
The problem is that the claim that overall Hyatt point redemptions are leagues ahead of H&M when it comes to getting good deals is totally bogusad stupid. There is no world in which Hyatt redemption values are "worth" leagues ahead of any other program unless one is so stupid as to keep believing now-thoroughly-debunked claims about how Hyatt points are the single most "valuable" hotel points currency.
If you believe that a Hyatt point is "worth" more than any other hotel points currency, then this is a great opportunity for you to prove the claim in a way that will make you a legend in travel blogosphere because no one has been able to prove it !
Get laid. You are pushing 70 years old and have never felt a warm pussy envelop your cock.
It's quite telling that two morons found the crude comment with 'p&c' "helpful", even though it failed to address the bogus claim that overall Hyatt point redemptions are leagues ahead of H&M when it comes to getting good deals.
While we wait to be enlightened, one hopes that the forum host will do something about rejecting crude comments that will never see the light of day on a site with higher standards like 'View From The Wing'.
G'day.
I find strong value in redemptions at Hyatt Regency Etoile in Paris, Hyatt Centric Amsterdam/Schipol, Lindner Vienna and Hyatt Regency Mission Bay San Diego. Compared to similar or any properties in those markets the redemptions are very good.
Let's be honest here, this is about owner greed. The brand standard when they flagged their property as a Hyatt Place (the hottest limited service brand going for a few years -- in investors eyes) included complimentary breakfast. Instead of trying to undercut or renegotiate the brand standard/franchise agreement, Management needs to stand up and say NO, if you want to stop breakfast then reflag as something else.
I have an honest question, and this is coming from someone who has stayed at more Hyatt properties than Marriott and Hilton combined so please don't assume I'm a hater...
Why would anyone pay *cash* for Hyatt stays if they have the option to stay at a similarly located/roughly equivalent H or M property? Yes, overall Hyatt point redemptions are leagues ahead of H&M when it comes to getting good deals, but their management is...
I have an honest question, and this is coming from someone who has stayed at more Hyatt properties than Marriott and Hilton combined so please don't assume I'm a hater...
Why would anyone pay *cash* for Hyatt stays if they have the option to stay at a similarly located/roughly equivalent H or M property? Yes, overall Hyatt point redemptions are leagues ahead of H&M when it comes to getting good deals, but their management is pretty mediocre and things seem to be going downhill overall. Why give them loyalty??
I'm a Globalist but I fail to see how excluding an expected amenity is going to make guests happier or more likely to stay with Hyatt. Why try to Bonvoy customers? If they need to charge more, then charge more.
The footsteps you hear behind you are those of dynamic pricing.
They've been trialing this for years now, I stayed regularly at one in Dallas that tried it back in 2017 or so. If they want to morph into Courtyard hotels then so be it, it's one less reason to stay with them
In most places where there's a Hyatt Place you're likely within a 10-15 minute drive of a fabulous local greasy spoon where $11 will get you bottomless delicious coffee and either pancakes the size of your head or an exceptional scrambler dish. I don't know that I'd pay $3 for a HP breakfast let alone $11 a pop. It's usually absolute shite.
OMG, never seen so many Hyatt apologists in a very short period of time.
Folks, they are taking away a perk. And you are enabling them by saying that it's ok because breakfast sucks?
Yes economy class sucks, but I don't see the same number of people defending airline Basic Economy.
Breakfast sucks for a different reason economy class sucks. Breakfast at Hyatt Place is ultraprocessed garbage that is high in sugar. Most people really are better off without it.
UNRELATED:
But I sure hope that Ben can write something about it.
Quote from Wyndham mass email:
‘As of February 1 2025, Wyndham Rewards credit cardholders will no longer be able to match their status retained as a result of being a credit cardholder into the Caesars Rewards program. Credit cardholders that have earned their Wyndham Rewards status through stays will continue to be able to match into Caesars Rewards Platinum or Diamond status’
LOL - Sorry, Hyatt ... I'm not going to pay for what I've seen at just about every Hyatt Place I've been too. Based on the example of $11, I'd rather take my $11 and go somewhere else for something more than powdered eggs and soggy bacon.
For hotels like a Hyatt Place - short of the convenience - you are getting really quite terrible food. I'm sure most Americans don't care... but yeesh. I won't miss this.
I’ve never seen a Hyatt Place breakfast offering that’s worth buying. But they already do this internationally, though the international Hyatt Place properties tend to be more like a full-service hotel.
Why is it called limited service when often these places have more services (free breakfast parking pool etc)
Seems like an incorrect label
Those are amenities, not services?
Breakfast has always been a "meh" perk for me. I ate it more when on a budget, but these days I pass unless it is for convenience. However, paying for a buffet breakfast is usually not in my wheelhouse. If I'm paying, I want something counter serve of decent quality, or I want to sit for a meal. This change is not appealing to me in that regard.
The real issue here is for families....
Breakfast has always been a "meh" perk for me. I ate it more when on a budget, but these days I pass unless it is for convenience. However, paying for a buffet breakfast is usually not in my wheelhouse. If I'm paying, I want something counter serve of decent quality, or I want to sit for a meal. This change is not appealing to me in that regard.
The real issue here is for families. More and more, it seems like a lot of brands that ought to cater to families are not interested in doing so. If you have kids, an on-site breakfast can be a lifesaver in terms of time and management. You don't have to get people around and fully dressed to go eat. I always have a couple breakfast bars in a bag -- I just need coffee (either in-room or on-site).
Perhaps the hotel industry is just finding that catering to family travel is not that profitable?
I don't expect free breakfast in limited service hotels, and I cannot be alone in that.
Ibis is the archetypal limited service hotel chain concept, has been around for half a century, and gotten to about 1500 locations dotted around the world- in other words, about the same number of hotels as the entire Hyatt group. The main Ibis brand has never offered free breakfast. Ibis Styles did experiment with offering it at some...
I don't expect free breakfast in limited service hotels, and I cannot be alone in that.
Ibis is the archetypal limited service hotel chain concept, has been around for half a century, and gotten to about 1500 locations dotted around the world- in other words, about the same number of hotels as the entire Hyatt group. The main Ibis brand has never offered free breakfast. Ibis Styles did experiment with offering it at some point, but that was back when they only had a handful of properties.
Since having a kid, I stay at Hyatt Place more often than I used to(still not a lot, maybe 30-40 nights a year). Removing the free breakfast will have an impact on that. Free breakfast makes things easy in the sense of calculations and allows the kid to take his time getting around in the morning, even if it's not the best breakfast. It's the same reason I generally take a Holiday Inn Express over...
Since having a kid, I stay at Hyatt Place more often than I used to(still not a lot, maybe 30-40 nights a year). Removing the free breakfast will have an impact on that. Free breakfast makes things easy in the sense of calculations and allows the kid to take his time getting around in the morning, even if it's not the best breakfast. It's the same reason I generally take a Holiday Inn Express over a Holiday Inn unless there is something significantly better about the property. With Hilton and Marriott, I don't have to worry about it since I get free breakfast either way. This change would likely push more of my stays to them.
Me too. I hate wandering around an unfamiliar neighbourhood looking for a bagel/coffee shop at the start of each day. Gimme a free, average hotel breakfast any day of the week. Those with status need to remember that most travellers don't have it, especially non-Americans, so those few freebies we get are attractive.
Someone has threatened free hotel breakfast?
I can hear Gary Leff screaming from here.
Where is the outrage from bloggers who are so die hard fans of Hyatt who basically view Hyatt as the SQ, QR, or EK in this industry? Oh wait, no matter what as these bloggers are globalists or lifetime globalists so they will get complimentary breakfast from Hyatt Place in the U.S. anyway, Haha!
Though, will people actually book away and stay with Holiday Inn Express where there is still free breakfast?
Holiday Inn Express is usually a step down from Hyatt Place. Hamptons, Comfort Inns, and Country Inns are more comparable.
The quality of Hyatt Place breakfast is awful compared to peers such as Fairfield, SpringHill, and Holiday Inn Express. Even basics like oatmeal and banana are the luck of the draw. I’m already bringing my own or eating elsewhere.
Might as well Airbnb then if a limited service hotel is not providing breakfast.
Back during the latter COVID times I remember staying at Hyatt Place in UT that basically asked me to take out the trash at the end of the stay. They had a card in the room asking you to leave your trash in the hall every evening, and specifically on your last evening as they had no daily housekeeping.
I don’t think this is a smart move. Sure, many won’t bother eating it (especially readers here), but I’ve never seen a Hyatt place in the morning without a large number of people eating. I would guess most of these people aren’t loyal to a brand, and given Hyatt’s limited reach there is very likely a Hampton or springhill nearby.
‘ Historically, Hyatt Place has been known for its free breakfast offering, at least at properties in the United States (abroad it’s standard for Hyatt Place properties to charge, though they generally have more extensive buffets).’
I guess the Hyatt House must be great in China. From the Hyatt House properties that I know they offer the first breakfast free for everyone but in order to get breakfast free for two people you only just...
‘ Historically, Hyatt Place has been known for its free breakfast offering, at least at properties in the United States (abroad it’s standard for Hyatt Place properties to charge, though they generally have more extensive buffets).’
I guess the Hyatt House must be great in China. From the Hyatt House properties that I know they offer the first breakfast free for everyone but in order to get breakfast free for two people you only just need to be a member and not even an elite member.
Which country abroad is it common to charge for breakfast? I've stayed at Hyatt Place in 10 countries and don't recall ever being charged for breakfast.
Very few chain hotels in Europe offer complimentary breakfast across the board- it's basically just Holiday Inn Express and the odd Hampton. However, it's not unusual for rates that include breakfast to be offered for a nominal upcharge compared to the room only price. I've paid as little as €2 extra in hotels where buying it separately could run €15 per person.
@chris
That is exactly my point. It was just an example about how Hyatt Places are better abroad than in the U.S. now if they want to make this trial run permanent. They would not do a trial run like this in places like Asia.
Also, it was a reply to Ben where he wrote ‘ abroad it’s standard for Hyatt Place properties to charge, though they generally have more extensive buffets’. So, please do go ask Ben where do they charge abroad.
These properties in the US are often in places where there’s not a nearby breakfast alternative. Customers will feel taken advantage of if asked to pay $11 for what is presently on offer at Hyatt Place now, particularly if there’s not a reasonably convenient alternative, like a nearby Denny’s.
I appreciated free breakfast at Hyatt Places despite being a mere Discoverist member, even if it has gone downhill in recent years. I would miss it if it went away and would not pay for it if it is no longer included for all guests.
They forgot to add that this is based on customer feedback. Thank you Hyatt.
Hyatt Place quality has gone downhill. It used to be a decent option but it now reminds me of Motel 6. I have been avoiding it if possible. As for the free breakfast, the only thing worth eating is a banana. Everything else is processed junk that won’t be missed.
I stayed at one of these last month - Hyatt DC White House. Breakfast was made free to me as an elite member, but they were charging everyone else. I gave it a try. It was... not good. If I had paid for it, I would have been pretty upset.
A little overseas travel will confirm how shockingly poor the quality of the offerings at so many typically amurican hotels. It's really kind of embarrassing when you think about it.
You go ahead and enjoy those 12 sq meter rooms. I will go out and pay for breakfast.
It is interesting that in the example screenshot, World of Hyatt members are actually charged more than non-members for breakfast. Is this a new way to build loyalty for the program?
The last few Hyatt Place and Hyatt House breakfasts I have had were borderline inedible. I would never pay $11 (or anything for that matter) for it. Just going to a Starbucks will get you a much better breakfast.
The problem is that by eliminating free breakfast, they are pushing people away who are either not allowed to expense breakfast or have a very limited amount available to spend ... some companies have daily limits on max spend per day - or they give cash as per diem ... which will basically limit what the guest can spend later for lunch/dinner or hit them in the pocket personally.
Unfortunately, we have seen similar grab...
The problem is that by eliminating free breakfast, they are pushing people away who are either not allowed to expense breakfast or have a very limited amount available to spend ... some companies have daily limits on max spend per day - or they give cash as per diem ... which will basically limit what the guest can spend later for lunch/dinner or hit them in the pocket personally.
Unfortunately, we have seen similar grab from Hilton in the US at their main hotel brands by removing breakfast and adding a bill credit - which generally does not, at all, cover the cost of breakfast. At least their Hamptons and the like still include breakfast for all guests....but time will tell if this is yet another nickel and diming episode and another example of management that just dont get it.
Courtyard and Hilton garden inn both don't do free breakfast... I think they are aligning the brand closer to the comparable Marriott or Hilton. Would you think the courtyard or HGI paid breakfast is better than the current free HP breakfast?
As a globalist I get it for free but never bother. Hyatt place breakfast in the US is inedible and coffee is usually foul. Happy experimenting though