Top 10 Free Breakfast in US Hotels - The Points Guy (2023)

If you're reading this, send me Pepto Bismol because I'm still full and my stomach hurts.

In one week, I ate more waffles, eggs, egg products and oatmeal than should be allowed - all in the name of journalism.

you see howPrices for everything from hotels to gasoline have skyrocketed this summerNow it's more important than ever to enjoy all the benefits of expensive hotel rooms, starting with the most important meal of the day: breakfast.

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There are many hotel chains that offer free breakfast to all guests, but which ones are worth the space in your stomach? What serves up something better than questionable melon concoctions, muffins as dry as the Mojave Desert, scrambled eggs that are soup rather than solid, and, God forbid, bad coffee?

At TPG we wanted to find the best free breakfast ever.

To determine the best hotel breakfasts available, I checked the top 10 hotel chains that offer a truly free breakfast for all guests in every room to see which ones are the best.

Although my credentials as a senior hotel reporter at TPG and my deep,deepthe love of breakfast certainly qualified me for this unscientific ranking, and we thought it might be worth calling in an expert. So we turned to a social influencer, professional eater, trained chef and food journalist.Shay'a Spence'aretest the hotels you consider the top three candidates and help determine the winner.

Here are the results of the TPG Free Breakfast Battle.

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How we found the best free hotel breakfast

Before we dive into the leaderboards, let me explain a little more about how we run this test.

What am I based onNew York, it was easy to find what I call "bands" of hotels in roughly the same area. After determining which properties we wanted to focus on, I checked into several hotels for the night, including three nearbyLaGuardia Airport (LGA), two persNewark Liberty International Airport (EWR), one in Newark, far from the airport, two in the Long Island City neighborhood of New York, and two in Midtown Manhattan. (There was also a hotel that scammed me and didn't offer a hot breakfast as advertised, so always call ahead to confirm.)

Each night I marked which breakfast started earlier to decide where I needed to sleep. The next morning I ate a variety of breakfasts, fatty, sweet, and caffeine-rich, covered in waffle batter.

After narrowing down the list to the top three hotel breakfasts, our culinary expert Shay repeated the process on sunny days.Miami.

What makes a free hotel breakfast the best?

To compare each hotel's free breakfast, we looked at many different factors, using a few obvious metrics (e.g. which hotel offers the most variety), feedback from our readers (who have provided many opinions on what makes a good free breakfast) and how tasty it was.

In particular, we consider four main criteria:

• Diversity:How many options of hot foods, proteins, cereals, fruit, breads and pastries, yogurts, juices, coffees and teas, spices and much more were available?
• Friendly diet:Were options available for a wide range of dietary restrictions, including non-dairy milk or yogurt, gluten-free bread or cookies, vegan products, and the like?
• Presentation:Was the breakfast room clean and tidy? Was the food labeled so diners knew exactly what they would put on their plates?
• I like:What did it all taste like?

While I have tried to maintain uniform standards with every hotel I have visited, the reality is that all of my reviews were based on my stay at this particular hotel on that particular day.

While most of these brands offer standard guidelines for serving breakfast at each of their locations, there will always be some variations. Someone could have run right in front of you and stolen all the cinnamon rolls, or as I witnessed at the hotel, poured so much dough into the waffle maker that it exploded like Vesuvius and had to be turned off for a while.

In fact, the upside is that some hotels offer a solid range of free breakfasts that can fill you up and save a large family a ton of money if you make the most of it. However, others are a huge disappointment; so much so that you'd be better off buying a sausage pie for 99 cents at a nearby McDonald's.

Now, as instructed by the bacon lords, check out the official ranking of the best free hotel breakfast.

10. Pousada Conforto

In last place among the brands we tested is my breakfastPousada Confortoit was really sad.

If you have a soft spot for mediocre-tasting carbs, your experience might be a bit more enjoyable as this buffet was full of unlabelled breads, bagels and muffins.

I gave the waffle station extra points because it had an iron that made four mini waffles that could easily be split for the kids or give guests the option to make just a small portion. I was excited to see the strawberry waffle mix, but quickly concluded that it was "disgusting and absolutely should not exist", as I wrote in my notes.

As for the protein, the finished cheese omelet tasted like a Kraft knockoff in a rubber envelope.

Worst of all, the sausage, which I believe was pork sausage, had an unnaturally grainy texture. The tasting pretty much ruined my entire morning breakfast review and made me nauseous. I would have gladly washed down this awful experience with a glass of spicy orange juice, but the juice machine was broken.

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9. Hyatt's Place

The Hyatt Place offered what could have been a great breakfast, but this particularly let it down.

There were several hot dishes including sausage, pre-made cheese omelettes and hash browns. Unfortunately the potato pancakes were greasy and tasteless, you could eat them with ketchup or hot sauce, but they were nowhere to be found. The cheese omelette was spongy and cold despite being in a heated food room and the sausage which again I presume was pork was dry but at least tasted nice.

There were four different types of bagels on offer but no sliced ​​bread.

Butter, cream cheese, grape jelly and Nutella were also missing, so there was nothing to add to the bagel. If I were more enterprising, I could pair a bagel with sausage and egg to make a tastier breakfast sandwich and hide it all.

I was happy to see diced peaches, almond milk, and Dannon Light + Fit 50-calorie yogurt as healthier alternatives, but I was shocked to see that decaffeinated coffee was nowhere to be found. Also, single green apples wrapped in plastic was an odd addition, though probably fine for anyone going on a busy day and wanted a healthy, plastic-wrapped snack.

Related:How much does Elite Hyatt status offer?

8.La Quinta by Wyndham

My breakfast at La Quinta was very successful, it included a very clean space and a wide variety of breakfast classics such as three types of cereals, various fruits and a waffle iron with whipped cream and even sugar free syrup.

What made this setup stand out, for better or for worse, was that it also included breakfast items like Jimmy Dean sausage, egg and cheese biscuits, and microwaveable bagels. Personally, I liked the individually packaged products so I could read the nutritional information and know exactly what I was eating. What wasn't fun was waiting for the only microwave to be available for all other hungry customers.

There was also a good selection of breads and rolls as well as spreads such as butter, Nutella and various jams. Other condiments like ketchup, mustard and hot sauce were also available. (I couldn't help but wonder: what exactly do people do with mustard for breakfast?)

One thing I liked about the La Quinta facility was that despite the juice machine not working, there were gallons of Tropicana orange juice in the fridge for people to use. Other high-end foods included Chobani yogurts, Almond Breeze almond milk, and friendly staff keeping things clean and chatting with guests.

7. Fairfield marki Marriott

My breakfast atFairfieldait was a perfect example of how sometimes things taste a lot better than they look. example? An unremarkable breakfast quiche that looked like a really burnt red lobster cheddar biscuit.

Fortunately, it was actually quite tasty, light, and clearly healthier thanks to the green ingredient, though there was no indication of what that ingredient actually was. (I thought it was spinach?)

On the other end of the spectrum, at least for hot food, was a delicious pre-made chocolate chip waffle that was sweet enough not to need syrup (although regular syrup and whipped cream were available).

Other entrees included a kind of pre-made bagel with cheese that reminded me of snacks I used to make myself when I was 10, a blueberry roll so dry and chewy that my chin wobbled after one bite, and reheated blueberry croissants. sausage, egg and cheese, which always works out, although the croissant itself turned out to be a bit frayed after sitting too long on a hot plate.

There was also an oatmeal station, though the oatmeal was very bland if not mixed in a topping with nuts, coconut flakes, and raisins. Starbucks coffee was a big win, but the orange juice was mostly flavored water.

Related:Guide for Marriott Bonvoy Awarded Travelers

6.Hampton by Hilton

I stop for my breakfast atHamptonaI was very impressed with the way the brand labeled everything, making the options clear and easy to understand.

During this breakfast, I knew that the sausage was indeedPerusausage which was fresh and tasty. French toast was a fun (if dragging) alternative to the mess of making your own waffle. But for research reasons (and my love of sugar), I went ahead and tried two waffle mixes available at the hotel: Vanilla Malt and Banana Hazelnut Bread.

To be honest, I enjoyed them both - and someone else must have liked them too, because later I saw that the entire waffle station had been emptied, with leftover waffle batter covering the entire surface.

There were seemingly standard cheese omelettes on offer, but again they were too rubbery for my taste. Still, they were better than disgusting powdered eggs.

Danish blueberry muffins and various types of toast bread were another high-carb meal, but Quaker oatmeal with a small but classic array of toppings (brown sugar, raisins, and nuts) and yogurt were two of the only healthy items available. options.

Was it a totally amazing meal? But did I appreciate those subtle, unique options like two waffle flavors, French toast, and even more juice options than just orange and apple? You assume.

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5. Apartamenty SpringHill

Apartamenty SpringHillhad a nice mix of everything, earning a spot in the middle of the pack.

What I liked about this breakfast was that it had staples like a waffle iron with pre-filled cups of plain batter (so there was no way to guess how much you'd need, which made a waffle situation less likely) and a handful of goodies from a cereal brand.

It also had a solid assortment of unusual items such as sausage, egg and cheese, bagel sandwiches, spinach quiches and fluffy but dry cheddar cookies.

There was also an advertised station where you could make your own breakfast bowl with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, salsa and fresh spinach. Unfortunately there were no eggs, parsley or grated cheese when I was there. While the spinach and cheese slices (the items that were available) were certainly light, healthy options that paired well with the yoghurts, bananas, and oranges on offer, it was still a bit of a shame not to have a real solution for myself. own breakfast bowl experience.

What really set this breakfast apart from others on this list was the condiment station, which allowed for more customization and flavor over what might otherwise be fairly generic options.

As a native Texan, I was obsessed with my favorite Yellowbird's classic blue Sriracha agave, which paired perfectly with a bagel sandwich. Other condiments included Cholula hot sauce, Tabasco, Dickinson's Sweet 'n' Hot Pepper & Onion Relish, sugar-free syrup and mango dessert sauce to sprinkle on waffles, and even a sea salt grinder. For oatmeal, there were at least seven different toppings, including nuts, raisins, and shredded coconut.

My only complaint was the weak (very very weak) coffee. It wasn't enough to start a busy day on the road.

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4. Holiday Inn Expresso

I have to be honest, out of all the 10 hotel breakfasts I've tried, none turned me off that much.Holiday Inn Express.

Don't get me wrong, it was definitely great to get one of the top spots on this list, but the place I visited wasn't Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls. It's one of the brand's staples, and I was looking forward to this sweet, gooey treat.

Apart from the cinnamon bun disappointment, everything else was great.

To start with, the buffet was clean, well organized and clearly signposted. I was impressed with all the hot dishes. The scrambled eggs weren't super fluffy but tasted better than they looked. The cheese omelettes were too runny for my taste and fell apart when I picked them up, but they tasted good, if oddly buttery. The turkey sausage links were a little dry, probably an omission, but they tasted just right for this sausage-loving breakfast fool; however, the minced pork sausage was too hard and overcooked.

The highlight of this breakfast was the freedom to do whatever you want with whatever items were available. In the end, I mixed minced pork sausage with scrambled eggs, salt, pepper and Frank's RedHot sauce and a beautiful bowl was created.

Other perks included fun kid-friendly options such as Cap'n Crunch Cereal and Danimals Yogurt, as well as healthy alternatives including Dannon Light + Fit Yogurt, Pair Packed Hard Boiled Eggs, and Single Packs of Unsweetened Syrup and Silk Almonds. milk.

The coffee cake was also fluffy, sweet and warm. It (almost) made up for the lack of cinnamon buns.

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3. Homewood Suites by Hilton

Homewood Suites was in chaos.

I was in midtown Manhattan, it was the end weekend of all the best universities in New York, and it seemed that all the guests had decided to have breakfast at exactly the same time. That said, the hotel staff did an amazing job filling and stocking each food station, clearing plates and changing coffees while we were all desperately swallowing caffeine.

Despite the flock of hungry travelers,Apartamenty Homewooddid some things right. It started with offering some hot dishes such as great breakfast potatoes which were nice and crispy, a fried egg which was greasy but so much better than the gummy cheese omelettes which I don't want to eat again and waffle sticks which I they didn't want to sit so much anymore. outside, but less mess than using a waffle iron. While the corned beef hash was, um, I imagine what my corgi's dog food tastes like, the other hot options were a filling meal.

I was also happy to find a warm banana-nut muffin, thick orange juice and decent coffee.

At the bread station, toasts and bagels were toasted faster with an industrial-style toaster that could hold more items than a standard toaster, saving everyone in the crowded room the headache of hovering over each other.

As for healthy eating, there was a basic oatmeal station, albeit with fewer extras than others I've visited. The items available included yogurt, granola, and that odd melon concoction that makes everyone uncomfortable but surprisingly tasty.

All in all, there were some solid options to enjoy.

2. Residence Inn by Marriott

When I checked in atPousada residencenear the Newark airport, my heart sank when the receptionist told me that the breakfast served each morning was a take-out bag - even though I had previously confirmed that this was not the case.

Luckily the receptionist was wrong.

When I entered the lobby the next morning, I was happy to find one of the best free breakfasts I have ever seen. The selection of hot breakfast items was amazing and I almost cried when I saw real iced coffee for the first and only time during this experiment - and it was good!

For hot dishes, Residence Inn serves pre-heated and pre-packaged food which I find really tasty and less undesirable than many other breakfast options.

I particularly enjoyed the Green Chile Food Company's egg, chorizo, and cheddar breakfast burrito, although I wondered if such a heavy, messy, and spicy breakfast would be the best choice for a guest's stomach on a busy day of travel. Jimmy Dean's Sausage Pie was classic and delicious and the ham, cheese and pepper omelette was the best pre-cooked option I've had at any hotel I've visited.

I also enjoyed the blueberry pie with big chunks of sugar, the Grower's Pride orange juice which didn't taste as watery as most others I've tried and the egg quiche which again had an unidentified green ingredient I presume it was spinach and to be delicious.

Personally, chocolate muffins aren't on my breakfast wishlist, but I've noticed a lot of people eat them next to me, and others eat healthier options like oatmeal with blueberry compote, walnuts, and other toppings. Even better for those with more restrictive dietary requirements were Silk oat milk and Lactaid lactose free milk.

Overall, this was a really special breakfast for me.

Related:11 Hotel Breakfasts We Would Order Every Day If We Could

1. Apartamenty Embassy by Hilton

As my number 1 choice, I chose - drum rolls please -Embassy Apartments.

I'm not surprised it's my favourite, because I already knew it was the only free breakfast that had a made-to-order omelette station, which for me is a big plus.

I opted for the classic ham and cheese for my omelette and the line cook cooked it perfectly. However, if you feel like a little more adventurous, you can do so with options such as mushrooms, jalapeno peppers, spinach, peppers, onions, tomatoes, sausage and bacon. He could even make an egg white omelet or a fresh pancake.

Apart from the made-to-order station, everything else turned out to be simply better than the competition: fluffy scrambled eggs, pre-made omelettes, delicious bacon (if a little mushy), breakfast sausage, and even home fries that were crispy and flavorful. For a healthier breakfast, there was cantaloupe which wasn't an odd mix of melon and pineapple, along with yoghurt and oatmeal with a wide variety of toppings.

Other highlights include the soda fountain with cola items (we love Diet Coke at TPG even at 6am), four different types of Sunkist juices, lots of packaged pastries, different types of toast or English muffins, salsa that went great with an egg, and even an electric coffee maker that could make "bold" coffee or iced coffee. To be honest, the iced coffee didn't blow me away, but I was glad it was available.

Ultimately, the free breakfast offered by Embassy Suites really stands out with the sheer number of offerings, making it a great place for all types of travelers - especially families or groups with a variety of tastes and preferences. And with all these options, including made-to-order items, breakfast really is great value considering how much you'd pay for an omelette at the IHOP down the street.

The question is, did Shay Spence, our food expert, influencer and former food editor, agree with my findings?

The big winner of the champion is...

After selecting the top three free breakfasts in the NYC area, Shay traveled to Miami to crown the official winner of the "TPG Free Breakfast Battle". Stopped by three of our top picks: Homewood Suites, Residence Inn and Embassy Suites.

At the Residence Inn, Shay said the scrambled eggs stole the show, but the finished waffle was "a definite no."

According to Shay, Homewood Suites was "actually bursting at the seams" and having a DIY waffle maker gave it an edge. However, in their book, the limited oatmeal toppings and lack of non-dairy milk options nullified that advantage.

At Embassy Suites, real meats like bacon and sausage overshadowed the bland pancake, but the "put your veggies" option on the do-it-yourself omelet station and the use of real plates instead of paper or plastic definitely outweighed that. your best place for breakfast.

Seriously, you'll have to watch this scrambled egg game for yourself.

So now, backed by the bacon masters, Shay's savvy taste buds and The Points Guy himself, we present to you the two-time confirmed winner of the "Battle for the Best Free Breakfast at a TPG Hotel": Embassy Suites by Hilton.

Now if you'll excuse me, we're going to use green juice for a moment. But we'll be back on the road soon and inviting other frugal and hungry travelers to the fresh omelet station at Embassy Suites.