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Should Breakfast be free or provided at all

General Hostel Operations

Diogo started this discussion 15 years 7 months ago

The latest hostel I've stayed on, charged 5 eur for breakfast if we asked for it the day before. On the same day it costed 6 eur. Of course that I had to check how this so expensive treat is so I went for it.

It was quite a surprise to me to see that the free breakfast we provide is not far at all from that one.

Does this mean that maybe we should charge, even if just a few eur?

Opinions?!

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SkWd

10 years

I think if i had some special needs i would find out in advance if where i were going could cater for these needs. In my experience working at hostels, this has always been the case. Whether it be people with animal allergies (we had a cat!), respiratory problems (is there a/c or good airflow), physical issues (are there stairs, sometimes we got lower bunk requests).

This is exactly one of the reasons why i wouldn't even bother advertising the "free breakfast". It paints a image of a buffet in most people's mind (regardless of if it phrased) and as already stated in previous posts - is just another source of complaint.

Take for example the idea of providing some basic cooking ingredients (garlic, onion, seasoning, oil...etc) and labelling it "free food". But one guest only eats boiled eggs, or potatoes, or pizza(!) because of a phobia of foreign foods (it has happened!) Should we start importing our groceries from wherever the guest comes from?

The price of the room will remain the same regardless of what is offered. Not offering the breakfast just means we make more money really, but we would like to offer as much as we can because we know what it is like to travel and know that free things in hostels should be a nice extra, not an entitlement.

Thanks a lot for the input, it has been helpful.

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greenhorn

10 years

Cappy,

One of my biggest pet peeves is when a free breakfast is offered and they have nothing I would eat.,,,,

but this is YOUR problem

remaining 99% travellers
would be VERY HAPPY to have something to eat "for free" :party:

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Cappy

10 years

No, it isn't my problem. It is the hostels problem, because I will go to a different hostel in which I am not paying for food in the price of the bed, or that does offer me options.

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greenhorn

10 years

think again

about COST for the food for 1% of people,
when this is TOTALLY unpredictable
who would show when and with what needs.

aren't You little bit selfish ?
look from the financial perspective of the hostel.

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SkWd

10 years

So Cappy, what would you say to guests, who are not strictly vegan, arriving to a hostel that only provides for vegans, no animal products served what so ever for breakfast?

I agree with Greenhorn, and i've already posted it, it really should be up to the guest to find out if their needs can be accommodated for BEFORE going to the hostel. Therefore, you wouldn't even be in a position to feel hard done by by paying for something you couldn't eat.

But this is a perfect insight into the 2 "hostel guest mentalities". One guest sees "free breakfast", or "free welcome shot/beer" and is content that they are getting something extra for the same price they paid in a previous hostel who didn't provide breakfast. The other sees "free breakfast, free welcome beer...etc" and is almost outraged by the thoughts of the MASSIVE extra cost they've just incurred and is already weighing up the value for money they should get in return.

It is my opinion that the 2nd type of guest really should be looking for accommodation somewhere between Guest-house/B&B and 3* hotel anyway. But of course, they don't, because they would have to pay more for that.

The conclusions i have come to so far are - yes, we should mention subtly (i.e not market it, in big letters, as a huge selling point) that a "basic breakfast" is provided and list specifically, what it consists of and between what times it is available. Then surely, the decision is there for the guest to make before they arrive at the hostel.

I've played with the idea of a follow up email with each booking to further outline what we offer. Like, bicycle rental, tour booking, breakfast, hiking and outdoor activities in the area. Has anyone done this with successful results, or do you think it is necessary considering probably all of these things are outlined on the hostel website anyway.

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blyth backpacke...

10 years

Very well put SkWd . A hostel is not a high end B and B most smaller hostels run with min. staff. We some times have light snacks in the common area in the evening. I have traveled in other hostels and have seen them put a person in private room for bed price($20.00) to prevent a problem from happening. Using Cappy ( thinking) i should do that for everyone. I know many good people who only eat fish or no meat at all but I try look after all people that come to my house. I would hope that (Cappy) would go somewhere else as we only budget $1.00 per guest per night, for food. If a guest could not eat anything at the breakfast we would give them some fruit, though we mostly charge for fruit. We have a basic (low) cost bed anybody wanting more, they can go to high end B and B or high end hotel some in our area can be over $200.00 per night and i had a basic 3 course supper at one that cost over $60. water to drink.( no pop or other drinks included).WE often do not charge for extras like use of bikes, washer or dryer if someone helps out around the hostel or helps another guest and we see that, but that dos not mean the other quests are being over charged. Our guests get many extras but we do promise them because some people expect that if they do not use the extra items to get a discount ex. Free parking.

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SkWd

10 years

...and that is the essence of hostel life! :) Give a little, get a little back. It is that principal that I hope our business will adhere to and how all hostels should adhere to. Its happening too often these days that people (who sometimes have not even travelled or stayed in hostels) get into the business to make a lot of money fast and forget about what makes hostels such fun, interesting little communities to be a part of. Just like it happens too often to genuine hard working hostels these days that their guests are forgetting they are paying for a hostel not a hotel :(

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Ricardo Sa Pinto

10 years

Well, this is my first contribution: I think that a simple complementary toast, coffee, tea, jam and butter it's not just something to be eaten in the morning, is also a statement from the hostel - if you're aiming to please, that's not an expensive gesture to make.

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