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Is Continental Breakfast Free ? Here’s What It Means

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If you’re booking a vacation you’re definitely checking everything: photos, rates, reviews, amenities. And for those like us, who are pretty much in love with food, hotel breakfast is a big deal. 

So what does it mean when a hotel says they offer continental breakfast ? Does that mean it’s free ? Hotel lingo can be very confusing, especially when you think about how vague and random the names can be. Let’s clear this up.

continental breakfast free

Is continental breakfast free ?

Continental breakfast is not necessarily free, because the name refers to the type of food served and has nothing to do with paying for the food. In most hotels, breakfast is free or included in the room fare, and it’s almost always a continental breakfast. This may lead many to think that continental breakfast means free breakfast.

It’s a case of correlation, not causality. 

Is breakfast usually free ?

In many establishments, breakfast is free, at least on paper. Take a closer look at the fares, and at the conditions placed on that breakfast. There are several combinations possible. But on all of them, the hotel has to pay for that breakfast, to bring it to the table. 

That can be reflected in any of these:

  • a slightly higher room charge than hotels that do not offer free breakfast
  • a free breakfast within a certain spending limit
  • a very limited breakfast offer
  • only continental breakfast is free, other types are charged

There are hotels and hotels, and each is free to apply charges, fees, and fares as they see fit. There isn’t necessarily an industry standard, but most have this unspoken rule that a free breakfast is usually a continental one. And that breakfast is usually ‘free’ but the room will cost a little more, so it’s not technically free.

Read also: Continental VS American VS English Breakfast 

A free breakfast is also known as complementary breakfast

You may sometimes find free breakfast named complimentary. It’s simply an older word meaning ‘on the house’ or ‘free of charge’. On the same note, you’ll find complimentary extra bath towels, slippers, bathrobes, complimentary pool access, complementary pet food in some establishments, and so on.

It’s a fancier name, and it sounds more impressive than ‘free’. 

What is continental breakfast ?

A continental breakfast usually consists of bakery products like bread, toast, and croissants, possibly bagels, fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products, small packets of jam and honey, milk, cereal, muesli, yogurt, deli meats, coffee, fruit juice, tea.

The food is usually not cooked, it’s often served cold in a buffet style. This is very convenient for hotels, and for guests as well. 

First, it’s easy to layout in the early morning and only touch up with more products as the guests start serving themselves. There is no need to keep food hot, as it’s all cold or room temp.

Second, the food necessary for this is easy to find, quick to layout on plates and send out. This means minimal hassle for chefs, in fact, it might not even require a chef. If the kitchen help can cut tomatoes, lay salami on a plate, bake pre-made croissants, and wheel out an espresso machine, then they’re good.

This is a gross simplification of what goes on, but it’s the gist of it. Continental breakfast is easy, quick, light, and very convenient for everyone involved.

As for the name, it refers to the fact that this breakfast style is common in Europe, hence the continent. 

Does a continental breakfast have eggs ?

Usually no, continental breakfasts don’t have cooked foods. However, you can find hotels that offer a mixed breakfast style, such as continental with eggs cooked in different ways, bacon, sausages, and so on. 

continental breakfast without eggs

The main reason continental doesn’t have eggs or cooked foods is because it requires less effort from the kitchen staff. Ultimately, this means they don’t need to be present in the early morning, which means the hotel saves on wages.

Read Also: How To Know When Scrambled Eggs Are Done

Why is continental breakfast so common ?

Continental breakfast is a quick, easy, and light way to serve food. Since it doesn’t require a lot of cooking skill, anyone from the hotel staff can lay it out on tables. 

If the kitchen staff were to come in every morning to also provide breakfast, your rooms would be more expensive. Their wages would have to be covered, since they’re be working hours longer than normal. This breakfast style is a great combo for hotel owners, staff, and the guest’s pocket.

Continental breakfast is very common because most hotels and motels focus on providing adequate beds, quiet places to sleep, and a decent food menu. You’re meant to come in, stay the night, eat something in the morning, and then be on your way if you want.

Mid-range establishments have a combo of continental breakfast with some cooked food, like eggs and meat in various forms. High-end hotels usually have their own breakfast menu that doesn’t necessarily fall into American, continental, or English breakfast.

Another important point about continental breakfast, travelers end up expecting the same treatment in most places. Having a similar breakfast style will mean the guest knows what they get and doesn’t have to ask the waiter what’s on the menu.

In some places, the waiter isn’t even there, as continental breakfast is very easy to operate and understand, and you serve yourself with whatever you need. There is at least one staff member in the area for assistance if you need something or don’t understand how to work something, but they are not waiters.

And that’s about it for continental breakfast. It does not mean its free, but breakfasts of all types are usually free. Some just happen to be the continental menu.


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