Last updated: August 2026 · Breakfast policies were verified in 2026 against each hotel and brand. Breakfast offers change often, so always confirm that your specific room rate includes breakfast before you book.
The short answer: in London, only two hotel brands reliably include free breakfast for every guest on every rate: Hampton by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express, both serving a free hot buffet. A handful of independents include breakfast too, but often only on the standard rate or when you book direct. Many famous hotels advertised as "breakfast included" actually charge 15 to 25 dollars a head extra. This guide separates the genuinely free from the not-really-free, so you are not caught out.
A hotel breakfast in London can cost 15 to 25 dollars per person per day, so "breakfast included" is worth real money, especially for families and longer stays. The problem is that the phrase is stretched. Some hotels include it for everyone, some only on certain rates, and some simply do not, whatever a listing implies. We checked, and below we tell you which is which, with exact booking links and prices in US dollars.
- Always free. Breakfast is included for every guest, on every rate, however you book. Hampton by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express.
- Free with a condition. Breakfast is included, but only on the standard rate, or only when you book direct with the hotel. Check the rate.
- Not actually free. Often listed as breakfast hotels, but breakfast is a paid add-on or a separate rate. We name these so you are not surprised.
London 4 dummies: the free breakfast rules nobody explains
- The hotel is not enough, check the rate. Many hotels sell a cheaper "room only" rate and a dearer "breakfast included" rate side by side. Book the wrong one and breakfast is not free.
- Two chains are a safe bet. At Hampton by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express, the free hot breakfast is built in for everyone. No small print.
- Kids often eat free. Many breakfast policies include children under a certain age, but not all. Confirm if you are travelling with family.
- Do the maths. A room that is 20 dollars cheaper but adds 20 dollars a head for breakfast is not cheaper for two people.
- "Continental" is not "cooked". Free breakfast can mean pastries and cereal, not a full English. Check the type if a hot breakfast matters.
What counts as "free breakfast"?
Genuinely free breakfast means it is included in your room rate, for every guest, at no extra charge. That is different from a "breakfast package" or "breakfast-inclusive rate", which costs more than the room-only price, and from loyalty perks, where only members get it. In this guide, "always free" means included however you book, and we flag anything with a condition.
This matters because the hotels most often listed as "London hotels with free breakfast" are frequently the ones that charge for it. So we sorted every option into three honest tiers: always free, free with a condition, and not actually free. Prices below are approximate 2026 guides per night for a standard double, in US dollars.
The 19 London hotels with genuinely free breakfast at a glance
| Hotel | Area / nearest attraction | Breakfast | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton by Hilton Waterloo | Waterloo, South Bank | Free hot | $$ | Sightseeing |
| Hampton by Hilton London City | Whitechapel, near Tower | Free hot | $$ | First-timers |
| Hampton by Hilton Old Street | Shoreditch | Free hot | $$ | Nightlife, tech |
| Hampton by Hilton Docklands | Royal Docks, ExCeL | Free hot | $$ | ExCeL, City Airport |
| Hampton by Hilton Ealing | Ealing, West London | Free hot | $ | Value, Elizabeth line |
| Hampton by Hilton Park Royal | Park Royal, NW | Free hot | $ | Budget, driving |
| Hampton by Hilton Croydon | Croydon, South | Free hot | $ | Cheapest, Gatwick |
| Holiday Inn Express Southwark | Southwark, Tate Modern | Free buffet | $$ | Central sightseeing |
| Holiday Inn Express Victoria | Victoria | Free buffet | $$ | Transport hub |
| Holiday Inn Express ExCeL | Royal Docks, ExCeL | Free buffet | $ | Events, value |
| Holiday Inn Express Stratford | Stratford, Olympic Park | Free buffet | $ | Westfield, families |
| Holiday Inn Express Limehouse | Limehouse, near Canary Wharf | Free buffet | $ | Business, value |
| Holiday Inn Express Greenwich | Greenwich | Free buffet | $ | Greenwich, O2 |
| Holiday Inn Express Wandsworth | Wandsworth, SW | Free buffet | $ | Quiet, value |
| Holiday Inn Express London City | Aldgate, near Tower | Free buffet | $$ | City, first-timers |
| The Darlington Hyde Park | Bayswater, near Hyde Park | Free continental | $$ | Couples, families |
| B&B Belgravia | Belgravia, near Victoria | Free continental | $$ | Boutique on a budget |
| Park Grand Paddington Court | Paddington | Free on most rates | $$ | Heathrow access |
| Sidney Hotel Victoria | Pimlico, near Victoria | Free if you book direct | $ | Value, sightseeing |
Hampton by Hilton: free hot breakfast, always
Why Hampton is the safe choice
Hampton by Hilton builds a free hot breakfast into every rate, for every guest, no membership and no small print. That means eggs, sausages, pastries, fruit and coffee, included, however you book. For a family, that is real money saved each morning. The London hotels are modern, reliable and well connected, and below are the best locations by area. Prices are per night in US dollars.
1. Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo
The pick of the London Hamptons for tourists, walkable to the London Eye, the South Bank and Westminster, with Waterloo station on the doorstep. Free hot breakfast sets you up for a full day of walking.
Check 2026 prices at Hampton Waterloo2. Hampton by Hilton London City
Close to the Tower of London, Brick Lane and the City, with Aldgate East station nearby for easy travel across town. A solid, well-priced base with the reliable free hot breakfast.
Check 2026 prices at Hampton London City3. Hampton by Hilton London Old Street
In the heart of Shoreditch's bars, street art and tech scene, with Old Street station for a quick hop into the City. Great for a younger crowd who want a lively area and a free breakfast to recover with.
Check 2026 prices at Hampton Old Street4. Hampton by Hilton London Docklands
Handy for the ExCeL exhibition centre, the O2 and London City Airport, in the regenerated Royal Docks. A practical, good-value choice for events and business, with free hot breakfast included.
Check 2026 prices at Hampton Docklands5. Hampton by Hilton London Ealing
Out in leafy Ealing, but with the Elizabeth line running straight into central London and out to Heathrow, this is a smart-value pick. Lower prices, the same free hot breakfast, and a fast train to the sights.
Check 2026 prices at Hampton Ealing6 and 7. Hampton by Hilton Park Royal and Croydon
For the cheapest free-breakfast beds, these two sit further out. Park Royal suits drivers and the west, while Croydon is handy for Gatwick and has fast trains to Victoria. Both trade a central location for a lower price and the same free hot breakfast.
Check prices at Hampton Park Royal Check prices at Hampton CroydonHoliday Inn Express: free buffet, always
Why Holiday Inn Express works
Holiday Inn Express includes its Express Start breakfast buffet in every room rate, hot and cold options, for all guests. It is the other dependable free-breakfast brand in London, with more central and near-attraction locations than Hampton. Rooms are simple and good value, and there are branches near many of the sights. Prices are per night in US dollars.
8. Holiday Inn Express London Southwark
One of the best-placed budget hotels in London, walkable to the Tate Modern, Borough Market, Shakespeare's Globe and the South Bank. Free buffet breakfast and a genuinely central base at a fair price.
Check 2026 prices at Holiday Inn Express Southwark9. Holiday Inn Express London Victoria
Steps from Victoria station, with the Gatwick Express, the Underground and coaches all on hand, plus walking access to Buckingham Palace. A convenient, free-breakfast base for arrivals and day trips.
Check 2026 prices at Holiday Inn Express Victoria10 and 11. Holiday Inn Express ExCeL and Stratford
Two of the best-value free-breakfast options in London. ExCeL sits beside the exhibition centre, while Stratford puts you next to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the huge Westfield shopping centre, with fast trains into the centre. Both are family-friendly and cheap.
Check prices at Holiday Inn Express ExCeL Check prices at Holiday Inn Express Stratford12 to 14. Holiday Inn Express Limehouse, Greenwich and Wandsworth
Three dependable, cheaper branches in real London neighbourhoods. Limehouse is close to Canary Wharf, Greenwich is by the river, the market and the O2, and Wandsworth is a quiet, leafy southwest base. All include the free buffet breakfast and connect easily to the centre.
Check prices at Holiday Inn Express Limehouse Check prices at Holiday Inn Express Greenwich Check prices at Holiday Inn Express Wandsworth15. Holiday Inn Express London City
On the City fringe near Aldgate, within walking distance of the Tower of London and the Square Mile, and close to Brick Lane and Spitalfields. A well-located, free-breakfast base for first-time visitors.
Check 2026 prices at Holiday Inn Express London CityFree breakfast, with a condition
These independents do include breakfast, but with a catch worth knowing. Read the condition, and they are excellent value.
16. The Darlington Hyde Park
A friendly, well-run hotel near Hyde Park and Paddington station. A continental breakfast is included on every rate, and if you book direct with the hotel, you get the full cooked breakfast free too, rather than paying extra for it through a booking site.
17. B&B Belgravia
A smart townhouse hotel in genteel Belgravia, run on the classic bed-and-breakfast model, so a continental breakfast is built into the rate. A charming, central base near Victoria and Sloane Square with breakfast sorted.
18. Park Grand Paddington Court
A comfortable hotel by Paddington station, where the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line make airport and city travel easy. A continental breakfast is included on most rate plans, though room-only rates are also sold.
19. Sidney Hotel London-Victoria
A simple, affordable hotel a short walk from Victoria, good for a central budget stay. It offers a complimentary continental breakfast, but only when you book directly on the hotel's own website, not through the booking platforms.
Not actually free: the breakfast traps
Here is the honest bit that other guides skip. These hotels and chains are often listed as "free breakfast" options, but breakfast is a paid add-on or a separate, dearer rate. Book them if you like them, but do not expect breakfast in the price.
Premier Inn: breakfast is a paid add-on, around 14 dollars for the unlimited cooked breakfast, though two children eat free with a paying adult. Travelodge, Motel One, citizenM and ibis all charge separately for breakfast, roughly 13 to 20 dollars a head.
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, Hilton London Bankside, Novotel London Paddington, The Montague on the Gardens and Leonardo Royal London City sell room-only by default, with breakfast as a paid buffet or a dearer breakfast-inclusive rate. The Resident hotels and most aparthotels have in-room kitchenettes instead of breakfast, and Z Hotels only include breakfast in their upgraded Z Club rooms. When a listing says "breakfast available", that usually means "for a fee".
Quick picks by traveller
Families: Holiday Inn Express Stratford or ExCeL for space and value, or Hampton by Hilton Waterloo for sightseeing, all with free hot breakfast and kids usually included.
Cheapest free breakfast: Holiday Inn Express ExCeL, Greenwich or Limehouse, and Hampton Croydon or Ealing.
Central sightseeing: Holiday Inn Express Southwark and Victoria, and Hampton by Hilton Waterloo and London City.
Boutique with breakfast: B&B Belgravia and The Darlington Hyde Park.
How we verified the breakfast offers
We treated the breakfast claim as the whole point, and checked it. Every hotel here was confirmed in 2026 against the hotel or brand's own information, and sorted honestly: "always free" only where breakfast is included for all guests on all rates, and "free with a condition" where it depends on the rate or direct booking. Where a hotel is commonly listed as free breakfast but actually charges, we said so rather than repeat the claim.
Breakfast policies and prices change often, and a hotel can sell both room-only and breakfast-included rates at the same time, so always confirm that the specific rate you are booking includes breakfast before you pay. Prices are approximate 2026 guides per night in US dollars and vary by date and demand.
Breakfast money-saving tips
Compare the total, not the room. Add the nightly breakfast cost to a room-only rate before deciding, for two people over several nights it adds up fast.
Book the right rate. At hotels that offer both, the breakfast-inclusive rate is often cheaper than paying at the door.
Or skip it and eat out. Near many hotels, a local cafe or bakery breakfast is cheaper and tastier. See our guide to eating in London on a budget.
Use the two safe chains. If free breakfast is a priority, Hampton by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express remove all the guesswork.
Comparing hotels more widely? See our guides to boutique hotels in London, luxury hotels near Big Ben and the best business hotels in London.
Frequently asked questions
Which London hotels include free breakfast for everyone?
In London, the two brands that include free breakfast for every guest on every rate are Hampton by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express, both serving a free hot buffet. A few independents like B&B Belgravia and The Darlington Hyde Park also include breakfast, sometimes only on the standard rate or a direct booking.
Do most London hotels offer free breakfast?
No. Most London hotels sell breakfast separately, either as a paid add-on of about 15 to 25 dollars a head or as a dearer breakfast-inclusive rate. Only a minority, led by Hampton by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express, include it free for all guests. Always check your specific rate.
Are there cheap London hotels with free breakfast?
Yes. Holiday Inn Express branches at ExCeL, Greenwich and Limehouse, and Hampton by Hilton at Croydon and Ealing, all include free hot breakfast at some of the lowest room rates in London, often under 150 dollars a night.
Which hotels near Big Ben include free breakfast?
The closest genuinely free-breakfast options to Big Ben are Holiday Inn Express Victoria and Southwark, and Hampton by Hilton Waterloo, all a short walk or ride from Westminster. Note that famous Westminster hotels like Park Plaza Westminster Bridge charge extra for breakfast.
Is breakfast worth paying extra for in London hotels?
Sometimes. London cafe and hotel breakfasts cost 15 to 25 dollars a head, so a good free or included breakfast saves real money and time, especially for families. But if there is a cheap bakery or cafe nearby, eating out can be better value and tastier.
What type of breakfast do these hotels serve?
Hampton by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express serve a hot buffet with cooked items, pastries, cereal, fruit and coffee. Smaller independents like B&B Belgravia and The Darlington usually serve a continental breakfast of pastries, cereal and cold items, with a cooked option sometimes costing extra.
Does Premier Inn include free breakfast?
No. Premier Inn breakfast is a paid add-on, around 14 dollars for the unlimited cooked breakfast, although up to two children can eat free with a paying adult. It is often listed among breakfast hotels, but it is not included in the room rate.
How do I make sure breakfast is included?
Check the rate, not just the hotel. Many hotels sell room-only and breakfast-included rates side by side, so choose the one that clearly states breakfast is included, and confirm whether it covers all guests and children. At Hampton by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express, it is always included.
Clara writes Welcome2London's hotel guides for visitors, with a focus on the details that actually change a booking. For breakfast, that means checking which hotels truly include it and which quietly charge, so travellers get the value they expect and no surprise bill.
Sources and verification (August 2026): breakfast policies confirmed against hotel and brand information, including the Hampton by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express free-breakfast brand standards, and the paid-breakfast policies of Premier Inn, Travelodge, Motel One, ibis and others. Prices are approximate 2026 guides per night in US dollars and vary by date, rate and demand.
Disclosure: Welcome2London may earn a commission when you book through some links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This never affects which hotels we include or how we describe them. Our breakfast checks and honest labels are our own.
Clara Whitby is a London travel specialist and local insider at Welcome to London, passionate about uncovering hidden gems, neighbourhood guides, and the city’s best-kept secrets.
