The Best Continental Breakfasts in the U.S., According to Travel Editors

Beautiful resorts and all-inclusives are great. There’s nothing sweeter than a boutique hotel. But, those accommodation options are a bit out of budget for many people traveling. This leads the more wallet-conscious travelers to hotel chains where you can find a soft bed, a clean room, and a complimentary breakfast. And for many people, that free breakfast is the deciding factor—if there were two hotels for the exact same, with the same reviews, right across the street from each other, but only one had a continental breakfast, which one would you choose?

At Thrillist, we’re always choosing the continental breakfast. But, as any frequent traveler knows, not all continental breakfasts are created equal. The first important question is, is there a waffle maker? Then, is there an egg station or a cereal bar? What are the muffin options looking like? These are essential questions, but even with the answers in hand, what makes a great continental breakfast indeed varies in the eye of the beholder.

So, Thrillist editors got together to determine which of the most popular hotel chains in America have the best continental breakfast offerings. We listed the ten most popular hotels offering a continental breakfast and then voted for our favorites on a scale of one through 10. Here’s our very passionate and slightly imprecise ranking of the five best continental breakfasts in the US.

1. Holiday Inn
2. Embassy Suites
3. Best Western
4. Wyndham
5. Hyatt

Holiday Inn received the highest number of votes from staff. “This was my family’s chain of choice growing up and I remember vividly the continental breakfast being a highlight of these stays, always,” Editorial Director Joe Erbentraut says. “I specifically remember the bagels having excellent texture and I haven’t found a bagel that scratches the same itch ever since.”

In second place is Embassy Suites, which has an omelet bar, making it a top choice for many travelers. It was the second to best pick for both Senior Editor Becca James and Director of Audience Development Kisai Ponce. James grew up going to Embassy Suites and remembers that the kids and grownups in her life always loved it.

The remaining three hotel chains on the list scored rankings between 6 and 8. It should be noted that not all Best Western, Wyndham, and Hyatt properties offer a complimentary breakfast. (This did not contribute to a lower ranking, but it is important to know if you are booking a stay.)

So, what do you think? Do you agree with this ranking? What is the most important aspect of a continental breakfast for you? Let us know—we’re always on the lookout for the best free breakfast.