Although a continental breakfast is a type of breakfast, there's an intentional distinction in the Terms & Conditions between when a hotel is to provide "continental breakfast in restaurant" (alternative to a lounge at some brands) and when a hotel is to provide "breakfast in restaurant" (Welcome Gift choice for Platinum Elite and above at some brands).

A reasonable person would expect complimentary breakfast in the restaurant of a full-service hotel to be a full breakfast, just like the breakfast that paying guests typically order -- especially at a venerable brand like Sheraton.

Most hotel managers know that it's a good business practice to treat loyal guests well -- and certainly not to provide less than published benefits -- but there have been some reports here on FlyerTalk of some properties willing to alienate members who as Platinum Elite and above, just to save a few bucks.

By the way, a real continental breakfast, as served in full-service hotels on the European continent, is a wonderful thing. It's not just a doughnut and a cup of coffee or a yogurt and a banana. It's a different kind of full breakfast.