Breakfast at the hotel: a key moment that is often underestimated
- Eric Alauzen
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
When it comes to hotels, we often talk about the welcome on arrival, the comfort of the room or the quality of the restaurant service. But one decisive moment in the customer experience still too often goes unnoticed: breakfast. Let's not forget that this first meal of the day can transform a simple overnight stay into an unforgettable experience!
Our hotel guests love to start their day with a pleasant feeling, especially if they know they have a busy day ahead, with a breakfast that meets their expectations and stimulates their taste buds... Who isn't sensitive to the smell of coffee and warm bread?
This moment, intimate and personal, can influence the overall perception of the stay and therefore deserves the full attention of the catering professionals in charge of this moment.
‘Is there anything more enjoyable than making breakfast for someone you love?’ - Anthony BOURDAIN, Chef (1956-2018)
A space that reveals the level of service
The breakfast room is a microcosm of hotel service: organisation, fluidity, cleanliness, responsiveness, but above all, attention to guests.
Guests are still in wake-up mode: they may be in a hurry, tired, stressed, in their usual bad morning mood, or simply looking for peace and kindness. It's up to us to adapt!
The slightest hiccup, the smallest mistake or indifference on the part of untrained staff can leave a lasting negative impression. Conversely, a warm welcome, smooth and discreet service, and personalised attention (where the customer feels unique, even in a crowded breakfast room) can transform a simple breakfast into a truly satisfying experience.
Service soft skills: a choreography of gestures and attitudes
Front-of-house teams must interact with finesse and humanity. Here are some fundamentals to include in any training programme:
Greet guests with a smile, even at 6 a.m.
Observe without watching, to anticipate needs: explain the breakfast menu, offer coffee, refill orange juice, replenish dishes.
Control the pace: know how to be present without being intrusive, available without being pushy.
Maintain an elegant and discreet posture,with calming body language and a tone of voice suited to the morning atmosphere to ensure guests wake up gently.
Impeccable dress and personal appearance, no sloppiness is allowed, even at 6 a.m.!
It's not just a question of service: it's about creating an atmosphere.
Details that make the difference... and build loyalty
Here, savoir-être soft skills are all about the details. A thoughtful gesture, a polite word at the right moment, remembering a customer's preference from the day before... All of this leaves a lasting impression on the customer.
The breakfast room manager has a very important job and plays a key role in the overall customer loyalty chain. They must:
Promote the importance of their team's work: they are not just there to clear tables, but to provide a warm welcome.
Make teams aware of the risks of becoming too familiar, falling into a routine, acting automatically or being unpleasant.
Train them to observe actively, without ever becoming intrusive or heavy-handed.
Use psychology: guests are very different first thing in the morning.
A well-trained team can transform an ordinary breakfast into a moment of spontaneous loyalty. Customers will leave the hotel feeling harmonious and look forward to breakfast the next day. If they are checking out just after breakfast, they will leave the hotel with an excellent last impression.
A delicate awakening
Breakfast is the first impression of the day. An impression that often sets the tone for the rest of the day... and the entire stay! In an industry where emotion makes all the difference, the first coffee of the morning is sometimes worth more than an upgrade. Provided it is served with a sincere smile and impeccable service... Breakfast at a hotel is a key moment that is often underestimated.
At EA Pro Nantes Formation, savoir-être soft skills at breakfast are covered in our catering training modules...
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