Hotels with breakfast included

The rates shown here include breakfast. That covers everything from a pastry and coffee to a full buffet with hot dishes, and the difference is not visible in the rate. What is consistent is that including it at booking is usually cheaper than adding it at the desk, where properties commonly charge €15 to €30 per person. People search for «free breakfast», so it is worth saying plainly: it is never free. A property that includes breakfast has priced it into the room, and the gap between its room-only and breakfast-included rate is what that meal actually costs you. Compare those two numbers for the same night and you will know within seconds whether the included breakfast is a bargain or a markup.

Before you book, check

• What kind of breakfast it is: continental, buffet, or cooked to order.
• The serving hours, which matter for early flights and for slow mornings alike.
• Whether children eat free and up to what age.
• Whether it is included for every guest in the room or only for two.

Worth it for: Early starts, families, and destinations where eating out in the morning is inconvenient.