Sunny side down: Singapore hotel breakfasts are costliest in the world

You must pay $29.12.

According to a survey by HRS, breakfast prices are not always included in the cost of the hotel.

In fact, in two out of three hotels analysed, both leisure and business travellers would have to pay extra for these meals.

In Singapore, breakfast is priced at about S$29.12, the highest of all countries that HRS polled. Other Asia countries like Japan, Hong Kong and Korea have relatively cheaper breakfast costs, at S$24.40, S$23.97, S$16.89 and S$15.25 respectively.

In Singapore, in Switzerland (16.05 Euro) and in Belgium (15.05 Euro), guests pay the most for their breakfast. However, in the Czech Republic (8.27 Euro), Germany (8.16 Euro) and Mumbai (4.14 Euro), travellers appease their hunger in the morning for a particularly affordable price.

In other Asian countries though, breakfast prices differ depending on which part of Asia you go to. For instance, breakfast in Japan and Hong Kong costs 14.13 Euro (24.40 S$) and 13.88 Euro (23.97 S$) respectively, making prices relatively high. However, countries like Korea serve breakfast for about 9.78 Euro (16.89 S$), while China serves breakfast for 8.83 Euro (15.25 S$).

Christian Lukey, commercial director of HRS APAC, outlines the following: “At HRS, travellers can already see in the hotel list whether breakfast is included in the price or if any extra costs incur. We place great importance on transparency in this matter. In addition, the guest ratings for the breakfast services provide a quick guidance when it comes to choosing a hotel.”

The analysis of the hotel experts shows that in all countries surveyed, breakfast is the most expensive in five-star hotels. In these hotels, guests can resort to a vast choice of food and drinks most of the time, though. The average price of a five-star breakfast in Switzerland is 31.19 Euro (53.87 S$), in Germany 27.71 Euro (47.86 S$) and in Belgium 27.50 Euro (47.49 S$).

According to a previous eResult study commissioned by HRS, one in seven business travellers (14.3 per cent) requests a so-called Early Bird Breakfast Service, which is served prior to the regular breakfast hours. They are even willing to pay extra for it. Particularly business hotels are often eager to meet the special needs of their guests. At least 15.8 per cent of the hotels registered with HRS offer an Early Bird Breakfast.