I seem to remember that when IHG initiated the Diamond level benefits, the breakfast benefit included a tip. Somewhere along the line, language indicating that the tip was included was apparently removed from the list of member benefits, and currently the chart that details these benefits only mentions breakfast, with certain items or locations omitted, and with no mention that a tip is included. I had full breakfasts including tips at the Kimpton Palomar in Philadelphia, the Intercontinental Wharf in DC, and the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins in San Francisco. My stay patterns changed for about a year or so, taking me to HIXs and Staybridges a fair amount, and by the time I got back to hotels that offered breakfast separate from the cost of the room, tips were then not included in the amenity.

I belived that when time came to dilute the benefits IHG instituted with its new program, the included tip for the breakfast amenity would be one of the first to go, and it appears that at least in the US, it's gone, and a tip is now expected.

Happy to be contradicted on this if folks have recent, contrary experiences in the US.