Free breakfast is an amenity many travelers look for when booking a hotel room. But what if a luxury hotel turned the tables on that offer, and instead offered a hotel room if you buy breakfast?
That’s the deal from the famed Fairmont Century Plaza, in the heart of the steel-and-glass center of West Los Angeles, Century City. Fairmont Century Plaza is inviting guests to experience an Ultra-Luxe Weekend Breakfast, now available with a complimentary night’s stay.
Buy breakfast and get a free room? I had to read the announcement three times to understand it. And even at $500 for two, this isn’t just any breakfast.
Guests can begin with an Imperial Caviar Service featuring Osetra caviar, blini, crème fraîche, egg, and chive blossoms, served with chilled Champagne or icy vodka. Breakfast mains include a Lobster and King Crab Ouellette with herbs and beurre blanc, Prime Steak & Eggs with black truffle jus, or a Smoked Salmon Roulade with crème fraîche, golden roe, and micro herbs.
The meal is complemented by seasonal fruit, artisan breads and pastries, fresh juices, specialty coffees and teas, and Veuve Clicquot Champagne. For an extra fee, guests have the option to upgrade to Dom Pérignon or Krug Grande Cuvée.
The Fairmont Century Plaza is celebrating its 60th year as a destination for Hollywood celebrities and high-end travelers alike. In 1974, for example, John Lennon and Mick Jagger dined together at one Century Plaza event, while President Gerald Ford and then-future President Ronald Reagan met in a Century Plaza hotel room after another. The hotel was completely remodeled and renovated, reopening in 2021.
How unusual is it for a hotel to offer a free room when you buy breakfast? According to a substantial on-line search, it’s very unusual. In fact, the AI assistant Grok noted, “No, hotels have not typically offered promotions where purchasing breakfast grants a free room. After extensive searches across web sources, hotel deal sites, and social media discussions, no verified examples of such a specific deal emerged.”
Available for a limited time, (although the Century Plaza wouldn’t say how long) this weekend package allows guests to enjoy the full breakfast experience for two, valued at $500, with a complimentary guest room included. The hotel calls it “a culinary-focused escape in the heart of Los Angeles, just steps from Beverly Hills, within the timeless Hollywood glamour and modern elegance of Fairmont Century Plaza.”
Like anything else in today’s world, there are terms and conditions.
- Room type and cost: Standard Fairmont King Room. The room is complimentary with the purchase of the breakfast package. Resort fee (about $47 with tax), parking and food-and-beverage gratuity are not included.
- Availability: Weekends only (Friday–Saturday or Saturday–Sunday), currently ongoing.
- This offer is valid for one night stay over the weekend. You purchase the package and receive the room complimentary, with breakfast the following morning. For example, free room Friday night, breakfast Saturday.
- Breakfast experience: Served exclusively in the elegant bistro Lumiere; in-room breakfast service is not available.
- Package is prepaid in full at time of booking and is non-refundable and non-transferable.
- No refund or price adjustment will be provided if only one guest partakes in the breakfast.
- Reservations for this package must be made at least 72 hours in advance.
There’s plenty to do if you opt to spend most of your day and night at the Fairmont Century Plaza. The hotel has 14,000 square foot, Forbes Five-Star rated spa,. The Fairmont Spa Century Plaza offers features like Himalayan salt room, aromatherapy steam room, and experiential rainfall-style shower.
Hotel guests can also access the 24-hour Fitness Center with Technogym equipment. Or catch some Los Angeles sunshine at the rooftop pool and enjoy unforgettable views of the skyline. There’s a bar in the lobby with often-refreshed drink menus, and one by the rooftop pool. Lumière, where the opulent breakfast will be served, is a French bistro with its own zinc bar imported from France. It is also open for lunch and dinner.
Should you venture out of the luxurious hotel, there’s plenty to do nearby.Whether you’re a traveler looking for a great one-night stayover in Los Angeles, or a Southern California looking for a romantic urban retreat, this breakfast-and-stay offer is a great opportunity to take in the holiday lights in nearby Beverly Hills, high-end shopping, dining or a first-run film at Westfield Century City (literally steps away) or a movie at one of the many revival houses around Los Angeles.
The city is also a hub of other cultural, theatrical, musical and sports evens as well as museums.
Why did the Century Plaza decide to launch this unusual offer? “We wanted to reimagine the classic weekend breakfast and make it truly memorable,” said Hiren Prabhakar, General Manager of Fairmont Century Plaza.
“Our culinary team has created a menu that balances decadence with thoughtful detail – imperial caviar served with chilled Champagne or vodka, lobster and king crab omelets, prime steak, and smoked salmon roulade, all complemented by freshly baked pastries and fine vintages,” add Prabhakar. “Every element is crafted to delight the senses. Adding a complimentary night in one of our guest rooms extends the experience beyond the table, creating a weekend that’s truly special.”
Century City, where the Fairmont Century Plaza is located, is one of the premiere office locations in Los Angeles, with major tenants including high-end law firms, insurance companies, stock brokerages, and movie and music businesses. As such, the hotel must compete on weekends with competitors in trendy neighborhoods or at the beach.
With this unique offer, the Fairmont Century Plaza has created an exciting new dining and hospitality concept. If successful, it will likely be emulated at many other properties seeking to increase weekend occupancy.