From white chocolate fountains to lobster Benedict, these luxe hotel buffets do breakfast better
For years, hotel breakfast buffets have earned a reputation for shriveled sausages, runny eggs and toast you could crack a tooth on. Sure, the continental breakfasts worthy of a "Kitchen Nightmares" episode are still alive and kicking, but there are plenty of hotels that take the most important meal of the day seriously.
Imagine the breakfast of your wildest dreams. Cracked crab legs, a tropical fruit station, bacon piled high, and an entire room filled with freshly baked pastries and homemade ice cream. Well, these hotels made it a reality. From a Las Vegas mainstay to a castaway Maldives resort and everything in between, these luxury resorts are breakfast buffet champions.
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
Long tail boats puttering along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya pass by the breakfast buffet at this 146-year institution. Every morning at 6:30, The Verandah restaurant turns into a smorgasbord of breakfast delights, inclusive for in-house guests.
Start the morning with a customized Bloody Mary or Champagne cocktail with freshly squeezed juice. There’s a carving station with meat prepared inside a Green Egg, stir-fried noodle and rice dishes, and an omelet station with everything you need for a proper English breakfast.
The piece de resistance may be the white chocolate fountain for topping waffles and pancakes or the never-ending, make-your-own mango sticky rice.
The Tasman, Hobart, Australia
Inside a historic Hobart building is the island’s new Luxury Collection hotel from Marriott. The breakfast buffet here, included for guests, is chock full of hyper-local, seasonal, organic Tasmanian eats.
The plethora of pastries and bread comes from Hobart’s Pigeon Whole Bakers, which uses organic butter to make its delicious, carb-filled goodies. Ziggy’s Smallgoods provides top-notch, local charcuterie, bacon and sausage to go with Westbae Pastoral eggs, made any way you want.
It’s all artfully laid out, including the healthy yogurt station with yogurt from West Haven Dairy, providing the world’s first naturally-made Omega3 yogurt. Top it with Tasmanian honey from Honey Frames and strawberries from Littlewood Berry Farm.
Related: A look at The Tasman, Marriott's newest luxury hotel in Australia
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Bahamas
There are more than 45 restaurants within walking distance of this luxe Bahamas hotel, but no breakfast buffet can compare to the Regatta. It's offered daily from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at a fee of $36 for adults and $15 for kids, but once you see what’s on offer, you'll realize it’s worth it. (But don't forget, if you have World of Hyatt Globalist status, the breakfast is free.)
The tropical setting is perfect for the smoothie counter blending fresh local fruits and yogurt. There’s not one, but four, made-to-order omelet stations with all the fixings. For your daily does of Omega3, try the salmon bar with different toppings.
The carving station has an impressive variety, including prime rib, roast beef, Italian sausage and honey-baked ham. And when in the Bahamas, a section with local favorites like Johnny cakes and all things conch is a must.
Wynn Las Vegas
What better way to get geared up for a day of gambling than a breakfast buffet of Vegas proportions? During the first part of the week, breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. From Friday through Sunday, brunch is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and while it costs $45.99 per person — it is worth indulging in.
This is the buffet jackpot. At this iconic location on the Strip, there are 16 food stations with more than 90 dishes ranging from fresh tuna poke to carne asada pizza to shrimp and grits. In addition, chefs here craft a variety of crepes and pancakes, lobster Benedicts and breakfast pizzas.
And when in Vegas, make a classic surf and turf plate with shrimp cocktail, lobster and crab legs alongside freshly carved prime rib, pork loin or barbecue brisket.
Soneva Fushi, Maldives
Soneva has the breakfast buffet to end all buffets. At this barefoot luxury Maldives resort, there are separate rooms — yes, entire rooms — dedicated to the different food groups.
Related: Dreaming of the Maldives? These new and updated points resorts are waiting for you
The fruit and yogurt room has all the tropical fruits you could want as well as island-made kombucha, muesli, yogurts, nuts and dried fruits. On the opposite side of the spectrum is the chocolate room filled with caramel truffles, chocolate milk, macarons and more. Next door is the ice cream and pastry room. Here you can choose from a selection of vegan ice creams and sorbets made on-site with toppings galore. The meat and cheese room is a personal favorite, with dozens of different cheeses and cured meats from around the world, including vegan options.
Apart from these rooms, there’s the main breakfast area where you can find bacon, sausage, Ayurvedic elixirs, pancake stations and more. Full yet? There’s another cold room here that stores salad items from the island's gardens, along with smoked salmon, sashimi, olives, pickles, dips and more.
Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay
Jimbaran is a sleepy seaside town is known for its seafood, luxury resorts and beautiful, white sand beaches — one of which is home to the The Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay.
The open-air restaurant Taman Wantilan serves up ocean views and a wow-worthy breakfast buffet for guests. This Asian resort offers a huge array of regional dishes like Hokkien and Udon noodles with your choice of fresh toppings. Be sure to hit the tandoori station with naan, dosa and samosas.
There are also plenty of Western choices, from carved honey-glazed ham to baked beans and sausage. Pile your plate up with an antipasto of Italian meats and a selection of cheeses, including brie and feta. And for those with a sweet tooth, there’s an entire cold room dedicated to pastries, resort-made ice creams, tropical fruits, frozen yogurt and made-to-order crepes, pancakes and waffles.
Park Hyatt Dubai
In Dubai, everything is big, and everything is international, including the breakfast buffets. At Brasserie du Park, they have French pastries alongside a savory antipasti table with Italian cured meats and olives next to eight types of Italian and French cheeses. There’s an Arabic corner with traditional dishes and an Indian station with a live dosa counter and curries.
The fresh fruit and juice area is stocked with immunity booster shots and detox blends. But guests love the juice trolley rolled around the restaurant, squeezing fresh fruits from mangoes to oranges in front of you. For kids (and adults with a sweet tooth), the ice cream area has six homemade flavors. (And if we say so, ice cream for breakfast is always a good idea.)
On Saturdays starting Oct. 15, the buffet brunch here takes things up a notch. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. guests can feast on South American-style meats from the Asado grill, brie from the cheese room or crab from the seafood stations for $135 per person. It’s only fitting that dessert is a cascading fountain of chocolate.
Six Senses Shaharut
Fresh, seasonal, organic produce is the star of this Six Senses buffet. The salad bar is filled with lettuce from the resort’s garden, and the omelet station is packed with organic eggs from local farmers. There’s a beautiful presentation of world-class cheeses alongside marinated fish and cured meats.
This inclusive breakfast buffet leans on the healthier side, with a huge variety of vegetable salads and fruits, hummus and dips with bread made in the resort’s Arabic-style clay oven. Guests rave about the juice and smoothie station using organic fruit, local ingredients like dates, Negev Desert honey and Neot Smadar goat’s yogurt.
There’s plenty of fresh-to-order dishes too. Sample oven-fresh Jerusalem bagels with smoked salmon and labneh, or eggs on focaccia with labneh and za’atar. Trust us; in Israel, labneh is a must. Don't believe us? Check out our full review of the Six Senses Shaharut for proof.
If these buffets didn't do it for you, you can also take a peek at the hotel breakfasts we wish we could eat for every meal.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.