A hotel breakfast can save time, money and a hunt for a café. The catch? “Breakfast” can mean different things. Here’s how to pick the best hotel breakfast for your trip and budget.

What are the main types of hotel breakfasts in Australia?

As Australians, we’re known for having big, opulent breakfasts. We’re the masters of avo toast, after all! Breakfast can vary, depending on the hotel, but here are the hotel breakfasts you’re most likely to encounter.

Continental: This is the lightest spread. Includes pastries, toast, cereal, yoghurt, fruit and tea/coffee. Hot items are usually limited.

Hot buffet: Everything included in the continental breakfast, plus cooked dishes—eggs, bacon/sausage, hash browns, porridge—and often a DIY waffle/pancake station. Widely offered at mid-scale Australian hotel brands.

Set menu (restaurant): A plated breakfast chosen from a short menu (e.g., a full English, a lighter option, or a local speciality). Tea/coffee are typically included; juice and sides may cost extra.

“Free breakfast” vs “breakfast included”

Free breakfast is a brand amenity for all guests. When a rate says “breakfast included”, it doesn’t automatically mean “free” in the casual sense—you’re still paying for it, it’s just an option bundled in with the nightly rate. 

What it usually covers:

• Breakfast during set hours for registered guests on your booking (often two adults;  policies for children vary).

• A specific format (continental/hot buffet/set menu), as stated on the hotel page.

What it often doesn’t cover:

• Room service, specialty coffee drinks, à-la-carte upgrades, alcohol, and any gratuities.

Use Skyscanner’s included breakfast filter

One of the easiest ways to see if your hotel breakfast is included is to search for hotels on Skyscanner. There, you can filter ‘Breakfast included’ on for your search results.  

What Australian hotels actually offer for breakfast

Several hotel chains in Australia now include breakfast in certain rates or loyalty offers. For example:

IHG hotels: Hotels like Holiday Inn Express usually have a free hot breakfast included across their properties. 

Marriott: Marriott’s luxury properties are renowned for their decadent buffet breakfasts, as are their more affordable stays, like Fairfield by Marriott properties, which usually has a continental breakfast at minimum. 

Rydges Hotels and Resorts: Not a guarantee across all hotels, but many Rydges properties offer complimentary breakfast in some packages or include buffet breakfast in the nightly rate.

Accor brand hotels: Many Accor brand hotels (Novotel, Mercure, ibis Styles) offer breakfast included if you book a “breakfast included” rate. It’s common to see buffet breakfast options available — but it often depends on the tariff you choose. 

How to get free (or cheaper) hotel breakfast

• Pick brands where it’s included. If breakfast every morning is a must, short-list hotels like Holiday Inn Express.

• Compare rate types. The “breakfast included” rate may cost only a small premium over the room‑only rate. Do the math: If the up‑charge is less than you’d spend buying some brekkie locally (around $20), it’s worth it.

• Ask about on-site vouchers. Some hotels sell breakfast add-ons at check-in priced below the menu rate—always worth enquiring.

• Check child policies. Many hotels allow children to eat free or at a steep discount, which can help you save quite a lot if your little ones have a large appetite. 

• Join loyalty programs: Some hotel brands offer members who are part of their loyalty programs cheap or free breakfasts. 

How to choose the right hotel breakfast setup for your trip

If you want something quick and consistent, a brand with free or bundled breakfast keeps mornings simple. If you prefer a sit-down meal one day and a lighter start the next, a full-service hotel with a restaurant might suit—just weigh the “breakfast included” upcharge against nearby cafés.