I like ES because of the breakfast, the manager's reception, and the workout facilities.

My usual ES doesn't have the 'freeloader' problem the OP described. I think it is because it is filled mostly with businessmen from the local Fortune 500s. They also have free fruit "For Your Pleasure" at the front entrance all day long. You won't go hungry in that hotel so there is no need to hoard food. I always take a soda up to my room after b-fast. I always take a banana when I "come home" for the day. I make several trips to the Manager's Reception. All-in-all I suspect that I consume not more than $5 in fruits, veg, snacks, b-fast, and soda per day. Now if I had prepared this at home it would have taken $10-15 per day. But ES buys so much of it's stuff in bulk and little goes to waste since there are so many people. A box of crackers can cost me $3 and $1.50 of it will go stale. ES can buy a case of crackers for $15, none of it will go stale, and they will feed dozens of people off of it.

I recently was in an ES in Columbus, OH. The hotel was beautiful but you were required to have b-fast tickets and there was no serve yourself soda fountain. The entire time I felt like "my kingdom for a Diet Coke." They had 3-4 people working the b-fast and you literally couldn't find anyone to get you a Coke. If this had been my only ES experience I'd have written off the chain completely.

You do pay for the b-fast though. I've noticed when I stay alone I get one rate but when I bring someone I'm always quoted a higher rate. It looks to me that the cost of food per person is about $7.

One thing I will say for the chain is that it is in no small part responsible for my weight loss. When I started Weight Watchers last year travel was a big problem. But ES has great food choices. They can make you an omlette any way you need it. No oil? No problem. Egg Beaters or whites? Sure, which do you prefer? Need fruits and veg? We've got you covered! Tired of being subjected to other's poor programming tastes? You can have your own TV in the fitness center! Feeling peck-ish at 3PM? Care for a banana? Need a smart dinner? You've got a mini-fridge and microwave and we'll provide the crudités. ES nights are some of my best weight loss days. You can't get that at most other hotels.

Your experience is going to vary. I've found hotels tend to reflect their clientel and their region. People at my usual ES and Hampton don't take advantage of the "free" stuff. So there is no metering of supplies including booze. At other hotels where there is metering I can only suspect that there are/were people taking advantage. Pay parking would never work where I live (even in downtown). Free parking wouldn't work well in NYC.