Breakfast in exec lounge
 

When staying on the exec floor (through booking or upgrade), I very often make the following statement:

Lounges are perfect for afternoon snacks, coffee or evening aperitif. However, I find the breakfast quality dissapointing: crowded, less choice, busy staff, etc.

When staying exec, can you have your free breakfast "downstairs" at the buffet or are you obliged to use the lounge :confused:
What is your feeling on breakfast quality in the lounge :confused:

I'm not aware of any Hilton properties that comp a full breakfast for elites who are given lounge access. Lounge breakfasts are generally skimpy, but there are exceptions. One of my regular Hiltons (Beachwood, east side of CLE) used to serve quiche, but only on Fridays. International properties are more generous at breakfast than the US Hiltons I'm familiar with. I never thought of the breakfast as a dealbreaker. If I want to be stuffed before I leave in the morning, I stay at an Embassy Suites.

I've noticed the same thing about the EL breakfasts with some exceptions (Athens & Prague come to mind). US EL seem to be particularly bad (stale bagels & pastries). You can take breakfast in the regular restaurant but the benefit is only for the continental breakfast, not a full one. The continental can be pretty good - fresh fruit, cereals, oatmeal, cold meats & cheese, yogurts, and lots of breads & juices.

As a Diamond, I have sometimes been offered a full breakfast but the more common scenario is an offer to upgrade to full for a small fee.

Not every elite benefit need appeal to every person. Take breakfast in the lounge if that works for you; enjoy breakfast in a full-service restaurant at your own cost. Make the economic judgment of where to stay accordingly.

Many times I will decline a free breakast to seek something better meeting my own standards: higher quality, more space, broader offerings, etc.

I usually book a breakfast inclusive rate but if I am upgraded (as Gold) as I often am, I find myself eating breakfast in the lounge anyway as it is more convenient and I'm not used to eat that much for breakfast anyways.

If I eat the warm breakfast downstairs I may eat too much (which I regret even before leaving the breakfast table).

When on holiday this is different, though. Then I prefer a decent breakfast before a days sighseeing.

I am aware of quite a few in Germany, Berlin is one of these.

Caledonian Edinburgh
 

This post is fortutious, I am staying on rewards at the above in December and the hotel have indicated that because of Diamond I will have an upgrade to castle view. Since they do not have an Exec lounge will I be entitled to breakfast vouchers for the two of us^:td:

LMP UK,
Check your MYWAY selection. If you picked Option 1, upgrade, you will receive 2 breakfast coupons. Typically it will be just be for continental, but as Diamond, I have been allowed to have full at some properties. It really varies. Can't remember what the Caledonian did.
Given you have already been upgraded, it sounds like you picked Option 1. BTW, the Caledonian Hilton is v nice and as Diamond, I received a bottle of wine and chocolates delivered to the room one day, the next a plate of fruit and a little bottle of whiskey.

If you do NOT have Option 1 picked, you are not entitled to the free breakfast.