You bring up a good point, but I will add one caveat. I've stayed may times at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills resort. primarily because it is the only qualifying Hilton Aspire resort in the midwest. I agree that it doesn't generate a profit, but the property provides daily breakfast in the lounge for all Gold and Diamonds in lieu of the daily food and beverage credit of $15.00.

They always offer eggs, fruit, meats, yogurt, pasteries, soda, coffee, and bottled water, served cafeteria style. It's decent, not fancy, but an upgrade from continental only. There are times when I would prefer the $15.00 F&B credit for alcohol, breakfast, lunch or dinner in their restaurant, but their restaurant probably only has 6 tables for 2, a larger table for 5-7, and a bar.

I'm sure they utilize their executive lounge to save costs and prevent all the Golds and Diamands from overwhelming their restaurant, and save on bookkeeping by not having to issue those credits. They also offer a modest evening reception with small hors d'oeuvres, cheese, crackers, beer, soda, or water MONDAY-THURSDAY only,

The property was built in 1987, so I am sure the hotel industry has evolved in the past 35-40 years, and most newer properties are probably built without any consideration of an executive lounge. For older properties, like this one, it may not be easily feasible to transform it into a revenue-generating space, but may reduce costs in other areas.

When I stayed at the Hilton Chicago Northbrook 3 years ago, the executive lounge offered modest snacks, soda, water, but not breakfast. It is also an older property.

I have to wonder how many of the 32 remaining executive lounges are also older properties. Do any of the others forgo the daily F&B credit for a cafeteria-style Gold/Diamond breakfast to presumably save costs?

Regardless, compared to the lounges in Asia, which often provide complimentary meals and alcohol, all of these probably pale in comparison. When deciding between a domestic full-service Hilton and a more budget-friendly option like HGI, I would be wary about making my decision based on whether the property had one.