Hyatt Place overhauls free breakfast benefit and more

One of the best perks of staying at limited-service hotel brands, like Hyatt Place, is free breakfast.

Due to the coronavirus, however, Hyatt Place is overhauling this benefit. The good news is that with limited exceptions, complimentary breakfast will be available to all guests.

However, some hotels will no longer offer a free morning meal, and others are trialing a new paid option. The changes are extensive — and vary widely based on the hotel's region.

A Hyatt spokesperson exclusively confirmed the news to TPG by offering,

Hyatt's purpose of care is guiding our recovery and path forward, and we continue to listen to our World of Hyatt loyalty members, guests and customers to understand what will be most important to them in this new world. Leading with a test and learn approach, and with care and creativity in mind, we are embracing the Hyatt Place brand spirit of experimentation by tailoring the brand's breakfast offering in our regions across the world and responding in innovative ways to incorporate guest and member feedback, as well as evolving global market considerations.

Let's take a look at how the benefit is "evolving" across the world, starting with the Americas.

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Hyatt Place breakfast changes in the US

Due to the pandemic, most Hyatt Places in the U.S. now offer a complimentary selection of individually wrapped breakfast items, such as hot sandwiches, fruit and yogurt.

This applies to all guests, not just those who are members of the World of Hyatt loyalty program. Back in 2018, Hyatt started requiring that guests be members to enjoy free breakfast. Effective immediately, the chain is now removing this restriction (except in certain international regions which we'll discuss below.)

However, some Hyatt Place properties in the U.S. are transitioning to a tiered model with a free and paid offering. Dubbed "perfectly packaged, carefully served," all guests staying at one of these 20 pilot hotels will receive continental offerings, like an avocado toast kit, oatmeal, yogurt and fresh fruit.

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If you're looking for a heartier meal, these hotels will offer more substantial food for sale, including sandwiches, pastries, frittata egg bites and more.

World of Hyatt Globalist members will continue to receive free breakfast at all Hyatt Place locations worldwide, including at these pilot hotels. This top-tier elite perk is limited to two adults and two children occupying the same room as the Globalist member. (A Globalist staying at a pilot hotel is entitled to one paid item per registered guest.)

But this pilot is just the beginning.

The chain plans to analyze feedback from the trial to identify a new Hyatt Place breakfast offering at all U.S. hotels for 2021 and beyond. Stay tuned to TPG for future updates.

The chain did confirm that there are no changes planned for Hyatt House hotels. Guests staying at Hyatt's other major limited-service brand will continue to receive complimentary breakfast.

Related: How to get free hotel breakfast

Hyatt Place breakfast changes outside the US

Let's start with the good news.

Hyatt Place hotels in Africa, India and the Middle East will offer a regionally inspired free breakfast for all guests.

However, less-positive changes are afoot in the Asia-Pacific region and Western Europe.

In Asia-Pacific, the benefit differs based on the rate you pay and your membership status. If you book directly with Hyatt (including points redemptions) and you're a World of Hyatt member, you'll get free breakfast for up to two guests. Non-members and anyone booking an ineligible rate (i.e. through an online travel agency like Expedia) will only get food for one guest.

Non-members who booked direct may enroll during their stay and enjoy a free hot breakfast for two guests.

Note that the changes in Asia kick in immediately. If you booked prior to Nov. 1, 2020, you'll receive free breakfast for each registered guest in the room.

In Western Europe, some Hyatt Place hotels are introducing room-only rates that don't include a morning meal. These cheaper rates could be appealing if you don't need breakfast — or plan to dine outside the hotel.

Some of the Western European locations to offer room-only rates include:

• Hyatt Place Amsterdam
• Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport
• Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport
• Hyatt Place Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport
• Hyatt Place West London/Hayes

Aside from Asia, the revised international policy kicks in on Nov. 16, 2020. Any reservations made beforehand will receive free breakfast for each registered guest.

Related: TPG staff's picks for some of the world's best hotel breakfasts

How to determine the region of a Hyatt hotel

To determine the region in which a particular hotel is located, head to the dedicated Hyatt Place webpage and search by location.

The full directory of hotels is broken down by region.

Otherwise, you can call the hotel directly or speak with Hyatt's contact center at (800) 323-7249 to determine a particular hotel's region — and breakfast offering.

Bottom line

Removing the complimentary breakfast benefit in select international hotels is a clear-cut devaluation. Plus, these changes are being implemented with little, if any, warning.

Fortunately, the chain is committed to keeping a free breakfast offering for most guests, including those staying at hotels in the U.S. However, the new tiered pilot could indicate that the brand is planning to monetize this once-free offering.

As the lodging industry looks to recover from the pandemic, offering more perks — not less — will likely be key to getting heads in beds. We'll have to wait and see how the benefit changes come 2021.