Hotels Reduce Portions at Buffet Breakfasts: How Will This Affect Guests.

According to The Sun: A comfortable bed and luxurious hotel interior undoubtedly create a pleasant atmosphere, but many of us value the buffet breakfast the most.

However, imagine arriving at a restaurant and seeing only small plates, favorite dishes are scarce, and croissants are completely absent – some hotels are choosing this path to force guests to eat less.

Hotels are cunningly trying to reduce the amount of food you consume at buffet breakfasts.

This is happening against the backdrop of increasing pressure on hotels to reduce food waste.

According to Dr. Kelly L. House, a consumer behavior expert, many hotel guests overeat at breakfasts due to the 'diversity effect'.

“Self-service leads to excessive portions as people misjudge portion sizes, take more food, consume it more, and feel less guilty if this food is left uneaten.”

She also noted that this is more influenced when people are traveling because they enter a 'vacation' mindset where indulgence seems justified.

However, this leads to significant waste. For example, in 2024, 1.05 billion tons of food were disposed of worldwide, according to the UN report on food waste.

Therefore, hotels are implementing various lesser-known methods to cut your portions at breakfasts. Here are the changes to expect.

Smaller Plates

International hotel chains are switching to smaller plates, making it more difficult to fill them.

For example, Ibis Hotels uses smaller plates to limit portion sizes.

Made-to-Order Stations

Many hotels have had 'made-to-order' stations for several years where you can order specific dishes, such as omelets.

As hotels try to reduce their buffet offerings, you may see more such stations, including the traditional English breakfast.

Limited Bakery and Dessert Selections

Many hotels offer baked goods at breakfasts, but according to the BBC, the Scandic chain in Northern Europe has reduced its selection of cakes, croissants, and muffins.

So, there may be fewer options than before.

Portions by Order

The Hilton Frankfurt hotel is also moving to serving portions in predetermined sizes.

For example, instead of large bowls of yogurt, you may receive smaller glass bowls.

Regarding fruits – instead of large baskets, guests may see small bowls with selected fruits.

Polite Reminders

When you visit a buffet, you usually just approach the table. But now many restaurants are introducing reminders, such as through signs, to urge people not to overdo it.

At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, you may see small reminders encouraging guests to 'take only what you can eat'.

No Trays Allowed

Now hotels are limiting what guests can take with them. Without a tray, you will likely only be able to carry a plate or bowl as well as a glass of juice or a cup of coffee.

Strategic Placement

When you enter a hotel restaurant, you may feel like you're in a maze.

Some hotels apply clever tricks in their layout. For example, healthy dishes may be at the start, as they spoil quickly, while pricier products are at the end.

Over time, guests may even be banned from taking a second round of food.

These changes illustrate how hotels are trying to adapt to a global challenge - reducing food waste. In an era when most of us strive not just to enjoy food but also to care for the environment, such initiatives may become the new norm in the hospitality industry.