I’ve never been a big eater in the mornings. A bowl of fruit or porridge and a hot drink is plenty for me first thing.
But on holiday, the rules are different.
Because when I’ve finished my morning feast at the hotel breakfast buffet, I head back for more.
I grab another plate, choose some fresh rolls, cheese, ham, salad and add a piece of fruit, maybe a muffin – but it’s all for lunch.
For as long as I can remember, the hotel buffet hasn’t just been about starting the day but preparing for it, too.
You could say it’s genetic.
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Growing up, I watched my mum and dad quietly butter rolls and wrap them in napkins to go into the beach bag or Dad’s rucksack.
Later, sitting on the sand or on a park bench, we’d unwrap those same rolls for lunch and enjoy them with some fruit and squash. It felt like a nice little holiday tradition when we went to Majorca or Cornwall and now, as a mum of two myself, I proudly carry it on.
And I refuse to be ashamed of it.
If my family and I are spending the day by the hotel pool or beach, I might even opt for tuna or smoked salmon with rocket and lemon from the breakfast offering, and store the rolls in the mini fridge in our hotel room.
It saves us a small fortune on lunches, and with two kids who always seem to ask for snacks an hour after they’ve already had their fill of the buffet, it’s a game changer.
This isn’t stealing – I’ve already paid for the food, and rather than letting it go to waste, I’m making it work harder for us.
Of course, I’m discreet. I’m not shovelling piles of food onto a plate or walking off with handfuls of pastries.
I make up the rolls at my table and pack them away in reusable sandwich bags and collapsible containers that I bring from home so it’s all neat, no fuss and no mess.
Occasionally, I’ll catch a raised eyebrow from a fellow guest, but I’m not embarrassed one bit – and staff have never made a single comment.
Over the years, I’ve encountered some sensational buffets. In Corfu, Greece at the Marbella Hotel in 2021, there were hunks of feta, olives, and beautifully baked bread that made the perfect rustic mezze.
In Sardinia, Italy, in 2015, I layered prosciutto and mozzarella into small ciabatta rolls, drizzling them with olive oil and they were delicious!
And in Villamoura Portugal in 2022 the pastry table was incredible! I couldn’t resist taking a pastel de nata or two for an afternoon snack to have with a coffee. It’s so nice to taste and experience local cuisine, especially when the majority of it can be found in your hotel breakfast buffet.
While this little routine has been part of my holidays for years, it wasn’t until a recent trip with my husband in Cyprus that I decided to share it online.
I filmed a short clip showing how we saved money on lunches while travelling, and posted it, thinking it might inspire a few other families to give it a try.
The response was… intense.
Thousands applauded the idea, calling it clever, thrifty, and even eco friendly. Many admitted they’d done the same, sharing stories of sneaking bananas into beach bags or filling flasks with hotel coffee.
People shared their own holiday hacks with me, too.
One woman takes mini Tupperware tubs to feed stray cats and dogs later in the day. Another woman brings sandwich bags and makes up healthy snacks to take to the airport for the journey home.
But there was also backlash. Some accused me of stealing; others claimed I was the reason hotels charge so much for breakfast. A few even warned my ‘hack’ could bring down the hospitality industry.
I didn’t know my little rolls for lunch were so powerful!
I’ve never taken more than we could reasonably eat, I hate to waste food so would never pile up our plates and I’m always respectful to staff and other guests. If anything, it feels like a win-win.
We save money, avoid food waste, and get to enjoy lunch wherever we like.
To my critics, I say that unless you’re clearing out the buffet trays or being greedy, there’s no harm done. I’m not about to stop because a few people are outraged over a cheese roll.
For me, holidays are about relaxing, exploring, and finding simple ways to make life easier and my breakfast buffet routine does all three. It’s not about being stingy, it’s about making the most of what’s in front of you.
We are living through a cost of living crisis and holidays aren’t cheap, so if you can embrace ways to make it cheaper while you’re there then why not.
You could even start saving for your next holiday while on holiday just with these lunchtime savings!
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