BRIGHT AND BREW-TIFUL

For many guests, breakfast will be the final part of their stay before they wish you farewell. With help from industry experts and chefs, we explore how to curate a breakfast offering that will rival your local coffee shop and leave a lasting impression.

Times are rapidly changing in the hospitality industry, but one thing that has remained the same is prioritising a well-executed and delicious breakfast; it is the most important meal of the day after all!

It’s crucial to remember that breakfast is unlike any other meal and your guests will have different expectations. Whilst some guests will be looking forward to a leisurely morning, taking their time sipping on several coffees, others will be searching for a quick food fix before they set off exploring the local area for the day or to gear up for a day of meetings - some may not even make it down to the dining area at all, enjoying their breakfast from the comfort of their hotel bed.

Gemma Pott, Director of Sales at the Principal York, explained how their breakfast experience is versatile to suit all expectations: “We understand that some of our guests may not choose to have an earlier breakfast with us, so we offer an extended service in our gorgeous Garden Room throughout the morning, complete with views across

62 – The Relais Henley

63 left - DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre

63 right – The Relais Henley

64 left – Image courtesy of Quorn sweeping manicured lawns. For those who wish to relax on their last morning, we have room service breakfast options so our guests can have that extra time to themselves.”

For some guests, breakfast will be the only meal they enjoy during their stay, so versatility is crucial to enhance their overall experience. Guy Betteridge, Executive Chef at The Standard, commented on their morning dining experience and how it has been adapted to suit all guests: “We go above and beyond at The Standard to ensure that our guests have an amazing breakfast experience. Guests now have the option to ‘grab and go’ if they are in a rush.” Not only will this please guests, expanding the time frame of your morning dining experience will also alleviate a rush, taking pressure off of your staff and allowing them to be more attentive to each individual.

When the weekend arrives, The Standard offers an boozy breakfast, delivering what its guests will expect from the venue renowned for its lively, party vibe. Guy said “When life slows down, we offer a Bloody Mary Sunday brunch menu with dishes such as fried chicken and waffles, eggs Benedict with sriracha hollandaise or a sweetcorn and green chilli fritter - and of course, our exciting range of build your own Bloody Marys.”

Now that guests travelling for business will be spending more time in your hotel as office spaces continue to dwindle, you have to ask yourself, does our breakfast offering and interior design accommodate guests who are working remotely?

The Relais Henley offers a welcoming breakfast experience with a tempting selection of buffet items including fresh fruits and pastries, as well as fresh food cooked to order. Managing Partner of the Relais Retreats, Grace Leo spoke about the importance of this meal: “We know what a treat it is to have your breakfast prepared for you, so we like to make sure it’s perfectly executed and prompt! Waiting for your first coffee in the morning is a no!”

The riverside venue has a dedicated area for guests who require a space to work, “The Palm Court is a co-working space for our guests – we have excellent Wi-Fi, charging points and stations to set up laptops. It’s an elegant riverside setting with all the comforts of a hotel and the practicalities offered for remote working and digital nomads.”

This space has shown such popularity that the venue opened it to the general public as well as guests, adding an additional revenue stream: “We offer membership to The Palm Court so local residents can enjoy the benefits of our hotel services whilst working in the riverside setting – we also offer a full programme of networking and speaker events for members to enjoy.” Added Grace.

It’s vital that your venue capitalises on the ever-changing demands of guests to increase revenue and bookings. Make sure to market these changes; when booking, guests will search for facilities which suit their desired trip.

Situated in the middle of London’s West-End, ME London hosts business guests regularly. Their hotel lobby bar provides a quiet and comforting atmosphere, with natural daylight, comfortable chairs and free Wi-Fi. In tune with their venue’s artistic flair, Hotel Manager Remus Orbetelli said: “Guests are able to enjoy the Marconi art exhibition in the background, adding a pop of colour to the remote working experience.”

Although The Standard London is usually known as a venue bursting with life and vibrancy, they too have improved their spaces to suit the clientele and maintain bookings. Guy spoke about their hotel spaces that accommodates guests working remotely: “The library lounge is the perfect space to work remotely. We offer guests a space that’s quiet yet engaging, with private areas located throughout for calls.”

Once you’ve moulded the timings and space to offer a pleasant breakfast to suit all your guests, it’s time to ensure that your food and beverage menu is up to scratch.

As coffee shops expand their menus with trending drinks such as macchiatos, seasonal latte flavours and tea infusions, it’s clear that the demand for high-quality products is continuing to grow, so it’s pivotal that your breakfast offering keeps up to rival the local coffee shop.

The Relais Henley has seen its guests appreciating their tea range: “We have a partnership with the New East India Tea Company and serve an extensive selection of traditional teas and herbal infusions which are very popular. Tea is having its moment in time!”

Health preferences are ever-changing and you need to make sure your venue accommodates all diets. Hotel Manager at ME London Remus spoke about their varied breakfast offering: “We ensure that our buffet meets all potential dietary requirements, preferences and lifestyles such as veganism, vegetarianism, halal, gluten free, lactose free, and so on.”

The state of the art venue, which prides itself on its cultural and artistic roots maintains its brand presence whilst accommodating all guests with its breakfast menu. Remus explains their offering, which is hard for guests to forget: “We stand out from other London properties through our Spanish touch and additional menu selection. Our Spanish inheritance shines at our buffet through delicacies such as Serrano ham, aioli, Spanish tortilla, crushed tomatoes and more. We have a wide selection on our breakfast menu, where guests are allowed to order a dish in addition to the buffet. This includes popular options such as eggs benedict, pancakes and more!”

Including vegan options within your breakfast menu not only leaves guests with dietary requirements satisfied, but is also better for the planet.

Popular vegetarian and vegan ranges like Quorn are being introduced into hotels’ breakfast offerings as versatile products that closely mimic meat. This relieves stress for chefs who are trying to produce meals to suit all diners without compromising on taste. Phil Thornborrow, Foodservice Director at Quorn Foods commented on this rising trend: “Meat-free diners are demanding better choices on menus that are protein-packed, without comprising on taste or the wellbeing of our planet.”

If you’re looking to enhance your hotel’s reputation and guest satisfaction, a good place to start is by focusing on making small but impactful changes to your breakfast offering. Make sure your space, taste and dietary offering accommodates all guests, and remember that these changes don’t mean you have to lose your brand’s personality.