Breakfast is an excellent way to add value to a guest’s stay, whether they’re a road warrior looking to fuel up or a resort goer in search of salmon quiche. It’s especially helpful for families who need those kids fed ASAP before a tantrum hits. As of 2019, 65 percent of American travelers would give preference to hotels with a free breakfast. 

However, a free breakfast shouldn’t mean an uninspired one. Follow these tips to ensure your breakfast stands out (in a good way) and keeps guests coming back. 

Temperature

Invest in the appropriate equipment to keep food warm or cold as needed. This is not only important for your guests’ enjoyment (who likes warm orange juice?), but is essential for keeping guests safe from food-borne illnesses. Appliances such as warming trays, cooling tubs, and even glass or plastic beverage dispensers help keep food at the right temperature. 

If this is out of your budget, or you don’t want to fuss around with it, you can always curate a selection of grab-and-go items such as muffins or power bars that don’t need to be temperature controlled. 

Aesthetics

Before guests even taste your breakfast, the appearance of your breakfast area gives them their first impression of it, so make sure that impression is favorable. Keep everything neat, restock items when needed, and clean up any spills or crumbs (this also helps prevent cross-contamination). Provide clear labels for food. This not only comes across as welcoming and organized, it helps guests to know what they’re eating, which is especially important when providing allergy-friendly options (more on that later). 

A fresh, inviting interior design draws guests in but even simple touches can make your breakfast area more appealing. Putting flowers on tables, displaying breakfast-themed decor and signage, and playing relaxing, upbeat background music all helps guests start their day on the right foot. If there’s a holiday coming up, add appropriate decorations as well. 

Packages

Breakfast can serve (pun intended) as part of a larger package to entice travelers in the door. It’s a versatile addition—everyone needs to eat—so it can be included with a variety of special offers, whether that offer is holiday themed, romance themed (heart shaped waffles, anyone?), or geared towards something else entirely. 

A special package should also mean a special breakfast. Don’t just offer toast; offer cinnamon raisin french toast. If you want to be fancy but don’t have a full restaurant, you can try in-between options such as a made-to-order omelet or crepe station, waffle bar (with all the fixins), or smoothies. 

Breakfast can work as part of your loyalty program as well. What about offering returning guests restaurant credit if you do have one? 

Local Flavors

Incorporate ingredients and dishes unique to your area, as you do elsewhere on your menu. This not only enables your hotel to stand out amongst the competition, it saves shipping expenses and reduces your carbon footprint. As of 2024, 28 percent of American travelers would increase their costs to stay somewhere sustainable. Getting your ingredients nearby helps you tap into this market. 

Healthy Options

According to a 2023 report by Hilton, over two in five guests around the globe said they planned to look for healthy choices to eat and drink while they travel, so don’t neglect your fresh fruit and vegetables at the breakfast table. Apples, oranges, and bananas are all good options because guests can take them to go. For guests dining in, fruit and yogurt work together particularly well. What about a make-you-own-parfait station? Any fruit you offer should be fresh, cool, and not from a can! 

Healthy protein choices are a hit too. What about hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, or baked salmon?

Lastly, there are a plethora of healthy breakfast carbohydrates out there such as whole-grain bread and cereals, oatmeal, and even quinoa. Offer something besides Froot Loops!

Beverages

Provide a variety of beverage options, such as coffee, tea, and juice (ideally fresh squeezed!). While coffee isn’t for the kids, juice and hot chocolate will go down a treat. Bonus points if you have whipped cream. Offer almond milk or soy milk along with traditional dairy options. And don’t forget to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold!

Dietary Restrictions

According to a study by Marriott, 67 percent of guests said that “special diet options” were extremely important. These options can include vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free  choices. 

Everything should be labeled clearly and accurately, and cross contamination should be avoided (don’t label anything gluten free if you baked it alongside gluten-containing products). This is easier if you opt for a plated breakfast rather than a buffet, which can also cut down on food waste. Hint: Options served in individual containers such as yogurt or smaller cereal boxes are harder to cross contaminate. 

Hygiene

This is another element that’s easier to get right if you serve a plated breakfast rather than a buffet; no one will wipe their nose, then shuffle to the front of the line. Food is handled only by your employees and the people who ordered it. 

That said, there are still basic precautions you can take for a buffet, such as using tongs, plastic shields, and hand sanitizing stations. 

Whether you offer a plated or self-serve breakfast, cleanliness is critical, and cleaning is more than a wipe with a wet cloth. Make sure that all your equipment is in good condition and that you’re getting to places your guests don’t regularly look at too. Don’t serve food that’s been out for too long or is past its use-by date.

You can also encourage guests to keep the area clean themselves by having waste cans and recycling nearby, though not right next to the food. 

Licensing

Make sure your business complies with local legislation for selling or serving food. If you already have a food license, review the items it covers. Very basic breakfast items that you don’t prepare yourself, such as dry packaged oatmeal, uncut fruit, etc., usually don’t need a license, but anything more complicated does. You may be able to serve baked goods without one if you get them from somewhere else, say if you partner up with the pâtisserie down the road. 

A tasty breakfast is an essential part of your food and beverage offerings. It enhances the guest experience by starting their day off right, making them more likely to return. Remember, guests go where the food is good… and where they can smell the dark roast! Use these tips to create a breakfast your guests will love.