Unlimited expenses account in the 90's and up to the recession. Mostly fixed expenses now. Anything that adds to the cost is now unwelcome as it eats into the (also fixed) subsistence allowance. Hence free breakfast, free parking and free I-net are important considerations.
It seems strange to me that the massive (in USA) Courtyard brand and (EU) AC brand both don't do free breakfasts. In the EU this has cost AC business since for a recent stay I chose the Ren over an equally convenient AC because when I factored in the free breakfast the Ren turned out (fractionally) cheaper. Equally when I have business in the Crawley area I ALWAYS choose the Lingfield Marriott over the Gatwick Courtyard on the same maths.