Hilton HHonors - Do HH Gold VIP always get free breakfast?

Do all Hilton properties (which have a restaurant) offer free continental breakfast to HH Gold members?

From HH:
Gold VIP On-Property Benefits
A space-available room upgrade, including breakfast.**
You will be upgraded to an Executive Floor room (where/when available) at time of check-in. If an Executive Floor room is unavailable, you will be upgraded to the next best available room from the room type booked...
...In addition, you will receive complimentary Continental breakfast for you and up to one additional registered hotel guest each day of your stay.

...If an Executive Floor room upgrade is unavailable, you'll still receive daily complimentary Continental breakfast in lieu of lounge access.

Just wondering if all Hilton Hotels are required to do this, or can some owners refuse?

If that is the MyWay preference you have selected, you get breakfast instead of free internet or 1000 points.

That said, there are plenty of properties that provide a dismal offering ranging from a bagel and coffee at Starbucks to old fruit and stale bread and cold coffee in a room next to the elevator to some properties that offer just cold buffett but with plenty of choices and appetizing too to some properties that provide a full scale hot buffett or almost anything off the menu. YMMV. And there ar some properties that are just obstinate and say "we don't participate in HHonors." It is best to avoid the latter properties entirely, imho.

If that is the MyWay preference you have selected, you get breakfast instead of free internet or 1000 points.

That said, there are plenty of properties that provide a dismal offering ranging from a bagel and coffee at Starbucks to old fruit and stale bread and cold coffee in a room next to the elevator to some properties that offer just cold buffett but with plenty of choices and appetizing too to some properties that provide a full scale hot buffett or almost anything off the menu. YMMV. And there ar some properties that are just obstinate and say "we don't participate in HHonors." It is best to avoid the latter properties entirely, imho.


Yes, that is the preference I've selected. Thanks for your input. Any others with experiences?

Should you get free breakfast?

Yes you should based on the terms you quoted.

Do you get free breakfast?

Not all the time without having to "encourage" them to give it to you, and sometimes you have to fight for the second person at some properties.


I have never not gotten the breakfast, but sometimes it's more effort then it's worth to convince them they should be giving you the coupons.

Note that the "Free Continental Breakfast" has been part of the T&C's (if selected) for stays at North American properties for years.

Until August last year, this was not the case for stays at properties outside of North America as there were different rules. Breakfast (of any sort) was not guaranteed although often provided.

Now the T&C's have been homogenised in this respect and free continental breakfast is the least you'll get as long as the "Upgrade" option is chosen.

As per previous posts here, the quality and proffering of this varies.

As an HH Gold, my wife and I stayed for 6 nights using HH points, at the Conrad Tokyo last summer--a very upscale property. Since I am Gold, a full buffet breakfast was included each day for both of us in the restaurant, which they sell for about $30 each. A great benefit!

Ayone know if bfast is included and what the breakfast is like in Hilton Tokyo Bay? Debating on getting the Surpass card to push me to gold. Might be worth the b fast if it's like the one at Conrad Tokyo

If that is the MyWay preference you have selected, you get breakfast instead of free internet or 1000 points.

That said, there are plenty of properties that provide a dismal offering ranging from a bagel and coffee at Starbucks to old fruit and stale bread and cold coffee in a room next to the elevator to some properties that offer just cold buffett but with plenty of choices and appetizing too to some properties that provide a full scale hot buffett or almost anything off the menu. YMMV. And there ar some properties that are just obstinate and say "we don't participate in HHonors." It is best to avoid the latter properties entirely, imho.

Luckily for me, I have never stayed at any HHonors property that gave only a "dismal offering" for breakfast.

Also note that the breakfast offerings for elites vary per chain, so a re-read of the HHonors website is in order. (Of course, some chains, such as Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, and Homewood Suites, already include buffet breakfast in ALL room rates; of these three, ES's buffet is generally the best, Homewood second, Hampton third.)

... of these three, ES's buffet is generally the best, Homewood second, Hampton third.)

Actually, in my experience most Homewoods' breakfasts are a notch below Hamptons.

Yes, most have that waffle machine that makes the absolutely tasteless waffles, but the best Hamptons have some very good local pastries -- and biscuits and gravy (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilton-hhonors/817613-biscuits-gravy-hhonors-properties-best-worst-thread.html)! Yum!

Just from my experience:

At London Hilton's, I always got free full/hot breakfast.
At Doubletree in London, they enforce the "continental" one. If you want a full breakfast, you've to pay for. They literally watched what I took on my plate.
At Hilton in the U.S. I got free continental but was twice able to pay $4 or $9 for beeing upgraded to full/hot breakfast.
Hampton Inn offers free breakfast anyway and its either (somewhat) full or just continental, based on the property.

In Europe I nowadays usually book a breakfast inclusive rate for my business travel. Before that (even before the current rules) I got the full breakfast (sometimes after a bit of arguing).

In the US, I've had a very good free cold breakfast at the Hilton SFO and a very dismal one at the Doubletree in Santa Barbara. The ES and HGI breakfasts are ok but are lacking enough healthy items IMO.

If you're on biz on the company dime, I always request the free breakfast, tho it might cost you a buck or two outta your wallet for tip.

Remember when you go on vacation to change your myway preferences if you want the points instead of the miles...remember if you're using points to stay...well then you don't want points, you'll want the breakfast.

Luckily for me, I have never stayed at any HHonors property that gave only a "dismal offering" for breakfast.

Well then you have never stayed at the DT Alana, Hawaii. The first time I stayed there, the HHonors continental breakfast was literally two tables pushed together with a couple of stale pasties and a few apples and you had to pay for OJ. :td: The next time I stayed there, they gave breakfast certificates to be used at the restaurant next door (might have been a Cheeseburger in Paradise chain), up to $12 off the menu, iirc. It was much better than the intial offering.

And I saw HHV go from full breakfast for four at the Rainbow Lanai (2 adults and 2 kids on points) to two certs for the cold buffett where you could upgrade for, iirc, $7.50 or so.

Well then you have never stayed at the DT Alana, Hawaii. The first time I stayed there, the HHonors continental breakfast was literally two tables pushed together with a couple of stale pasties....

Now THAT is unappetizing!!! ;)

Now THAT is unappetizing!!! ;)

Wow, that is a NASTY breakfast. My bad. :o Makes those flat egg(like) patties served at Hampton almost appealing (even if they resemble pasties.) :D

And I saw HHV go from full breakfast for four at the Rainbow Lanai (2 adults and 2 kids on points) to two certs for the cold buffett where you could upgrade for, iirc, $7.50 or so.

Having just returned from the HHV (shared some of our impressions here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilton-hhonors/122435-hilton-hawaiian-village-beach-resort-spa.html)) I'll update the "upgrade" to "only $10." In fairness, the HHV continental breakfast buffet isn't bad (although the waits could be up to 10-15 minutes), and better in the Tapa Tower than the Rainbow Tower.

Has nobody mentioned the Hilton Garden Inn yet? I think the HGI "cooked to order" breakfast at the several properties we've visited is right up next to the ES breakfast if you like hot breakfasts that aren't pre-formed. ;)

Cheers,
Fredd

edited to add: I see the HGI mentioned in Post 11. à chacun son goût - heh heh...

Well then you have never stayed at the DT Alana, Hawaii. The first time I stayed there, the HHonors continental breakfast was literally two tables pushed together with a couple of stale pasties and a few apples and you had to pay for OJ. :td: The next time I stayed there, they gave breakfast certificates to be used at the restaurant next door (might have been a Cheeseburger in Paradise chain), up to $12 off the menu, iirc. It was much better than the intial offering.

Just fyi, the buffet is much better now.

Just fyi, the buffet is much better now.
Glad to hear that. It is nice to see properties moving in the right direction. ^
In this thread, I wasn't the only one complaining of the Alana's dismal breakfast, but the comments are a couple years old. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilton-hhonors/128745-doubletree-alana-hotel-waikiki-trip-reports-reviews.html

We just spent the weekend at HGI in Mobile. Only free coffee & $10 buffet that looked sad. We were 100 feet from a Denny's & I was saying to eat at the hotel to avoid the wait. Boy did my husband get a kik out of me being SO WRONG! Very unhappy with the stay. It was a busy weekend (Mardi Gras), but I paid twice as much there than the LaQuinta (behind the Denny's)reservations I had. They didn't honor the 6X Skymiles offer. Which is the one reason I paid extra to stay there.

We just spent the weekend at HGI in Mobile. Only free coffee & $10 buffet that looked sad. We were 100 feet from a Denny's & I was saying to eat at the hotel to avoid the wait. Boy did my husband get a kik out of me being SO WRONG! Very unhappy with the stay. It was a busy weekend (Mardi Gras), but I paid twice as much there than the LaQuinta (behind the Denny's)reservations I had. They didn't honor the 6X Skymiles offer. Which is the one reason I paid extra to stay there.

Is this at New Orleans? HGI usually have reasonablly good breakfast.

Mom and I stayed on an award at the Hilton Millennium in NYC in November and the gold breakfast was the hot buffet which was rather large, or you could order off the menu anything that was less. We ordered something different every morning (omelets, hotcakes, french toast) and even with coffee or hot chocolate and a bill of $57 or so a morning it was all covered, and the tip I added gave me points for the stay.
In London at a Hilton, it was the awful cold buffet of a few cold crummy rolls and some juice. The room was worse!

ES in Orlando was wonderful for breakfast and even guests of guests were able to have some brekky when they dropped by.

JudyJFLA

If in a Hilton I booked my company rate has breakfast and internet included and I select the 1000 point bonus per stay, is that on top of any other promotion (25% bonus on base miles + 1000/night current promotion)?

I ask because this is actually a very important benefit, with ~20 nights ahead.

My stay in Overland Park, KS at a HGI was a semi cooked to order, they had piles of bacon/saus/pancakes/french toast premade but the cook would make eggs however you wanted. I assume if it wasn't horribly busy they would do whatever else. I'm a Gold but they did free breakfast for anyone it appeared.

If in a Hilton I booked my company rate has breakfast and internet included and I select the 1000 point bonus per stay, is that on top of any other promotion (25% bonus on base miles + 1000/night current promotion)?

I ask because this is actually a very important benefit, with ~20 nights ahead.Yes, of course!

Just wondering but how often do you get success in eating breakfast in the restaurant instead of in the lounge if you've been upgraded?

I find most lounges offer a very pale breakfast compared to what is offered had you not been upgraded/had access to the lounge.

I have to say my favorite HH brand breakfast is at HGI's. I'm not at all a fan of HI breakfasts.

Just wondering but how often do you get success in eating breakfast in the restaurant instead of in the lounge if you've been upgraded?

I find most lounges offer a very pale breakfast compared to what is offered had you not been upgraded/had access to the lounge.

I have to say my favorite HH brand breakfast is at HGI's. I'm not at all a fan of HI breakfasts.

Hm. It seems that I either do not stay often in Hilton properties with a lounge or I've missed something. I always found the exec lounges very boring and never saw any breakfast there. I always eat at the restaurant. Last stay was Hilton Milano a couple of days ago. Was on the exec floor and enjoyed a Coke or two in the evening but haven't seen breakfast there.

As far as European/ Asian Hiltons go there's normally a good breakfast in the Lounge or the Restaurant, and I just go with whichever. Otherwise you're unlucky and are going to go hungry ;)

Good restaurant brekkies around include Madrid and Stockholm (best restaurant brekkie ever), with good Lounges for breakfast definitely including Amsterdam and the Conrad Tokyo.

Though the offering varies:

Conrad Brussels - room service breakfast charge removed (with only the tray charge - I think it was 5 EUR - left on bill).

Hilton Molino Stucky Venice - full breakfast offered in the main restaurant - no restrictions/ EUR limit.

Hilton Vancouver Airport - coupon for free continental buffet - good range of cereals, fruit, pastries etc. Option to "upgrade" to full buffet for $4, or alternatively $14 credit to be used towards anything on the a la carte menu.

Hilton Whistler - coupon for free continental buffet - good range of cereals, fruit, pastries, cold meats, smoked salmon etc. Option to "upgrade" to full buffet for $6, or alternatively $20 credit to be used towards anything on the a la carte menu. Most mornings we ordered a la carte, and the full charges were waived even in cases where the cost exceeded the $20 per person.

In all cases the breakfast/coupons were offered - we did not need to ask.

Ayone know if bfast is included and what the breakfast is like in Hilton Tokyo Bay? Debating on getting the Surpass card to push me to gold. Might be worth the b fast if it's like the one at Conrad Tokyo

This is a late response to the above post, but I'll go ahead a mention my experience anyway. I stayed at this property in October, and I'm a Diamond, so I'm not sure if it would be different for Gold.

I was given access to the Concierge Lounge on the top floor overlooking Tokyo Bay. It wasn't a particularly large room, maybe 6 or 8 tables. But it was never crowded - I always had a table. There were 2 hostesses who were wonderful.

The buffet was great, including all the typical continental items: pastries, fruit, yogurt, cereal, juice, cold meats and cheese, etc. Also hot items including eggs and hot meats. It was very enjoyable.

The breakfast buffet off the lobby was priced somewhere in the $25-30 range as I recall.

I have to say my favorite HH brand breakfast is at HGI's. I'm not at all a fan of HI breakfasts.You're not a fan of the proprietary Rubber Eggs at Hampton? On the whole I would agree HGI's have the best breakfast.

Hm. It seems that I either do not stay often in Hilton properties with a lounge or I've missed something. I always found the exec lounges very boring and never saw any breakfast there. I always eat at the restaurant. Last stay was Hilton Milano a couple of days ago. Was on the exec floor and enjoyed a Coke or two in the evening but haven't seen breakfast there.I have never heard of an Executive Lounge not offering breakfast.

Just wondering but how often do you get success in eating breakfast in the restaurant instead of in the lounge if you've been upgraded?


Conrad Hong Kong, 100% success rate, in fact, that is what they offered. I believe others have the same experience as well.

Hi! I'm HH Gold and am looking at a stay at the Hilton New York with my wife and two kids. If I get an upgrade to the club level, I'm assuming that all four of us would be able to eat breakfast in the club. If I don't get an upgrade but only get the "continental breakfast", only two of us will be able to eat for free, right? Or would this be a YMMV thing?

Any recent experience to share? Thanks!

OTTOMH, T&C indicate "2 registered guests" - however, some hotels may be happy to extend the benefit for children.

In this case I think it's a huge YMMV ...

Hi! I'm HH Gold and am looking at a stay at the Hilton New York with my wife and two kids. If I get an upgrade to the club level, I'm assuming that all four of us would be able to eat breakfast in the club. If I don't get an upgrade but only get the "continental breakfast", only two of us will be able to eat for free, right? Or would this be a YMMV thing?

I have never been upgraded to the club level at the Hilton NY.
At check in they have informed me they never upgrade guests to the executive floor. Probably not true but I was not lucky. I guess is because they have many Diamonds and golds.
Every time they have handed out the vouchers for breakfast(2 or 3) without problem(nevertheless bear in mind that even if you do not get them, IMHO, in this property, you do not loose much...)

Hi! I'm HH Gold and am looking at a stay at the Hilton New York with my wife and two kids. If I get an upgrade to the club level, I'm assuming that all four of us would be able to eat breakfast in the club. If I don't get an upgrade but only get the "continental breakfast", only two of us will be able to eat for free, right? Or would this be a YMMV thing?
You will not get upgraded to the Hilton club floor.Any spare rooms there are used for those that are looking over the new 57th street Hilton club.As diamonds are hardly ever upgraded to the executive floor your chances of that also slim.But if you are on the exec floor the kids will be able to eat in the exec zoo er lounge.I am sure that even if you have to partake of the gold/diamond lounge a plea will get the kids in as well.

Thanks! I had originally expected to be Diamond by this point and am somewhat glad to hear that it wouldn't have mattered anyway. So assuming I don't get the upgrade, what kind of breakfast vouchers should I expect?

Is it a voucher to the restaurant (buffet? what kind of food?) or to Starbucks (for specific items, or anything?)? I found older posts about both. Will I get them all at checkin, or two per day? I don't care so much about breakfast but my wife and kids do. They'll be with me the first three mornings and will head home while I stay for a conference the next four days (where breakfast will be provided). If we get 14 vouchers (for 7 days) up front, all four of us can eat the first three days and I'll have a couple left over. If they're Starbucks vouchers, those will come in handy as well as it's a very exhausting conference. I guess either way works great, but it would be nice to know in advance what to expect.

[If a moderator wants to split posts #35-#37 (and any subsequent responses) out and merge them into the Hilton New York Master Thread, please do. I didn't mean for my questions to bring the thread off topic with hotel-specific discussion.]