One of the big negatives about the recent announcement regarding the combination of the Marriott and Starwood loyalty programs is that many Starwood and Marriott brands that offered free breakfast would no longer offer free breakfast, even to many loyalty members. So I thought it was worth a quick note to see which Marriott brands offer free breakfast to all members, as opposed to which Starwood and Marriott hotels offer free breakfast only to members of a certain “rank” in their loyalty program
Which Marriott hotels offer free breakfast?
Marriott has 31 (at last count) brands, but there are only 5 Marriott brands that offer free breakfast. They are:
- Residence Inn
- Towne Place Suites
- Springhill Suites
- Fairfield Inn and Suites
- Element
Ian once stayed at an Aloft brand hotel that gave free breakfast but that is out of the ordinary
Breakfast at the Aloft Calgary (surprisingly free breakfast included!)
Which Marriott hotels offer free breakfast to Gold members?
Unfortunately, Marriott gold members no longer get free breakfast at any hotel (other than the 5 Marriott and Starwood brand hotels that give free breakfast to ALL guests, noted above). Breakfast starts with Platinum status (50 nights) and there are no credit cards that give Marriott Platinum status out of the box
Basically free breakfast at Marriott hotels and brands is out of reach for anyone except real road warriors
The Marriott hotels that offer free breakfast to Platinum members
One good news in the announcement about the new Marriott loyalty program is that Platinum members can now get free breakfast at many more Marriott brands. Unfortunately it is now a choice benefit that you have to choose at checkin (gift, breakfast or points) and if you choose breakfast as your check-in amenity, you won’t get your welcome points or gift. This may or may not make sense depending on
Previously even Marriott Platinum members did not get free breakfast at many hotels (especially resorts). Courtyard by Marriott was one example of a Marriott hotel without free breakfast for any elite members, but now Platinum members will get free breakfast at Courtyard by Marriott.
Here are the Marriott hotels with free breakfast for Platinum members
- JW Marriott
- St. Regis
- Bulgari Hotels & ResortsThe Luxury Collection
- W Hotels
- Delta Hotels
- Marriott (Flagship Brand of Marriott International)
- Sheraton
- Autograph Collection
- Design Hotels
- Le Méridien
- Renaissance Hotels
- Tribute Portfolio
- Westin Hotels & Resorts
- Courtyard by Marriott
- Fairfield Inn by Marriott
- Four Points by Sheraton
- Protea Hotels by Marriott
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott
- AC Hotels
- Aloft Hotels
- Moxy Hotels
- Residence Inn by Marriott
- TownePlace Suites by Marriott
- Element
This does include resorts. However, Platinum members do NOT get free breakfast at the following hotels
- Edition Hotels
- Ritz-Carlton
- Gaylord Hotels
- Marriott Vacation Club (MVC)
- Marriott Executive Apartments
Is free breakfast worth it?
Of course, as they say, TANSTAAFL. You’re not really getting a “free” breakfast – you’re paying for it in the rate of the room. Some people do like to decide whether or not they’ll pay for the breakfast when they want it. Personally, as someone who regularly travels with a family (of 8), I like hotels with free breakfast as well as hotels that offer free dinner because it not only cuts down on meal costs for our family but it’s much more convenient than trying to figure out either bringing something for breakfast or going out to breakfast.
There are others as well that think that the breakfast you get at these types of hotels is “horrible” and not worth it anyways. I read one commenter on a site I was reading while researching this article mention “well if you consider the long term health cost of eating this garbage, then it’s MUCH cheaper if you don’t book a hotel with free breakfast”
I hope that you enjoyed this list of Starwood and Marriott hotels that offer free breakfast.
What’s been your experience with Marriott hotels with free breakfast? Leave a note in the comments!
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
You should probably mention that this change doesn’t start until August.
It’s strange, but common, that some cheaper of the expensive brands offer more. Before, cheaper brands had free wifi but not the expensive ones.
The sweet spot, to me, seems to be Hilton Garden Inn for gold members. For cattle members, Hampton Inn.
Of course, location is important.
In my (limited) experience, Element does NOT give free breakfast…I’ve only stayed at the Kuala Lumpur Element, but I’ve only gotten “free” breakfast there as a Platinum. Before my status, I had to pay for the breakfast there.
Also, I haven’t had a free breakfast at Aloft either…neither before elite status nor after. (I’ve only stayed at the Kuala Lumpur Aloft.)
This article is absurd. In reality gold’s did not lose out on breakfast benefits as gold simply change into Platinum. Anyone who previously was gold under the old program still has breakfast benefits now as Platinum.
For last 10 years, I am staying at Marriott San Key in Clear water Florida. First time when I booked for December 2019, they are charging $15.00 self parking when over the years parking was free, as they have very big parking ground lot. Whereas, across the street Sheraton (now by Marriott) parking is still free. This is another way charging more money for stataying at Marriott Sand Key.