Hilton HHonors - HHonors Gold - Trade Lounge Access for Full Breakfast?

Is it possible for HHonors Gold members to request full breakfast in the hotel restaurant instead of Executive Lounge access (and the continental breakfast provided there)? If it is possible, is it very common?

Is it possible for HHonors Gold members to request full breakfast in the hotel restaurant instead of Executive Lounge access (and the continental breakfast provided there)? If it is possible, is it very common?

Anything is possible to request but my experience is that you get an equivalent rate for a continental breakfast in the restaurant that can be upgrade to full by paying the difference. I seem to recall many of the Asian Hiltons allow a full breakfast for no additional charge.

I know a lot of the non-US properties will offer both. I know in the US it can be either/or. FTR I've gotten lounge access and no breakfast as a diamond.

It doesn't hurt to ask, a lot properties just give you lounge access and assume you don't want the restaraunt breakfast.

Is it possible for HHonors Gold members to request full breakfast in the hotel restaurant instead of Executive Lounge access (and the continental breakfast provided there)? If it is possible, is it very common?
It is not automatic for the Gold members to get access to EL. Outside USA, I prefer access to EL(if offered), since you also get afternoon tea and evening cocktails!

Here's my strategy: I book a standard room, when I get the confirmation link I go for Nor1-Upgrade. If e.g. a Deluxe room and a Executive room are available as upgrades, I choose the Deluxe room. It will probaby get a slightly better room, but no access to executive lounge. That way I'll get breakfast at the restaurant.

It worked for me at Hilton Dusseldorf in Germany, maybe in the US it might be different

I have had no problems in the last 6 months. I have stayed at 4 hotels that have lounges, Evian, Heathrow, Gatwick, Frankfurt. I just asked first and was told I could have breakfast in the main restaurant. I would just politely ask it seems to be okay in a lot of properties.

Regards

Obs

As stated above, outside the US the policy of most Hilton properties is that you may have bf in the restaurant if you wish - even if you are have EL access.

In the US it is different.

Here's my strategy: I book a standard room, when I get the confirmation link I go for Nor1-Upgrade. If e.g. a Deluxe room and a Executive room are available as upgrades, I choose the Deluxe room. It will probaby get a slightly better room, but no access to executive lounge. That way I'll get breakfast at the restaurant.

It worked for me at Hilton Dusseldorf in Germany, maybe in the US it might be different

Well as a HH Gold, as long as your myway preference is set to breakfast, then in any case you are entitled to breakfast.

You could just as well be staying in a cupboard room. No need to ask for a NOR1 or pay more. Not to add, that in some hotels NOR1 may result in being assigned an inferior room upgrade than what you would get otherwise (or similarly paying for an upgrade that may be free otherwise).

As a diamond I have asked a couple times and been declined. It's only been at two properties though, so YMMV at other properties.

If you are gold and you dont' get upgraded to the exec level you will get breakfast since you don't get exec lounge privledges. If they upgrade you to the exec level decline the upgrade or ask for a room on a non-exec floor and you should get breakfast still.

As a diamond I have asked a couple times and been declined. It's only been at two properties though, so YMMV at other properties.

If you are gold and you dont' get upgraded to the exec level you will get breakfast since you don't get exec lounge privledges. If they upgrade you to the exec level decline the upgrade or ask for a room on a non-exec floor and you should get breakfast still.

I've had the same experience and they were European Hiltons. One of them had a really poor EL breakfast so I really pushed for the restaurant breakfast.

In the US, I've only been allowed the EL breakfast as Diamond. Gotta say, the US EL brekkies are really bad: not too fresh baked goods & bagels, sort of fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, occ hard boiled eggs and 2-3 juices.

Gotta say, the US EL brekkies are really bad: not too fresh baked goods & bagels, sort of fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, occ hard boiled eggs and 2-3 juices.

I gave up eating breakfast at US hotels a long time ago...lots of quantity, but no quality. I'd much rather look for a nice local place (but I'm strictly a leisure traveler these days with no time constraints).