You booked a room at a Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express and now you’re wondering exactly when the breakfast bar opens in 2026. It’s a fair question, since IHG runs thousands of hotels worldwide.

The tricky part is that IHG isn’t one restaurant with a single schedule it’s a massive hotel group with brands like Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Kimpton. Let’s break down what to expect before you head downstairs.

What Time Does IHG Start Serving Breakfast?

IHG breakfast typically starts at 6:00 AM to 6:30 AM on weekdays, with many properties opening slightly later on weekends. Individual franchise locations set their own schedules, so times shift property to property.

Airport hotels and interstate exit locations often open earlier, sometimes as early as 5:30 AM, to serve early travelers. Hours may vary by location, especially around business districts and convention centers.

Tip: If you have an early flight or meeting, call the front desk at check-in to confirm the exact opening time for breakfast.

IHG Breakfast Hours by Brand

Different IHG brands run slightly different breakfast windows depending on their service style and typical guest profile. Full-service hotels tend to open a bit later than express, limited-service properties.

• Holiday Inn Express — Express Start breakfast, usually 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
• Holiday Inn — full breakfast service, usually 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM
• Kimpton & full-service brands — restaurant-style breakfast, often 7:00 AM onward

What Time Does IHG Stop Serving Breakfast?

IHG breakfast service generally ends between 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM on weekdays at most properties. Staff usually begin clearing hot items 15 to 20 minutes before the posted closing time.

Weekend closing times often stretch to 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM, giving guests a bit more time to sleep in. Hours may vary by location, so arriving early guarantees the full spread.

Tip: Show up at least 30 minutes before the posted end time if you want hot eggs, bacon, or sausage still available.

IHG Breakfast Cutoff Time: Weekday vs. Weekend

There is a clear cutoff difference at most IHG properties, with weekday breakfast ending earlier than weekend breakfast service. This gap exists because business travelers leave earlier on weekdays.

Weekday breakfast commonly wraps up by 9:30 AM, while weekend service can run until 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM. Individual franchise locations set their own schedules around this pattern.

Day Type	Opening	Closing
Weekday	6:00 AM – 6:30 AM	9:30 AM
Weekend	7:00 AM	10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

IHG Breakfast Hours by Day (2026)

Most IHG properties follow one schedule Monday through Friday, then shift to a slightly later weekend schedule for Saturday and Sunday. This pattern repeats consistently across most brands.

Knowing this weekly rhythm helps you plan whether you’re checking out early for work or relaxing on a weekend getaway. Hours may vary by location and specific hotel brand.

Day	Hours
Monday	6:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Tuesday	6:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Wednesday	6:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Thursday	6:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Friday	6:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Saturday	7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Sunday	7:00 AM – 10:00 AM

IHG Breakfast Hours in Major U.S. Cities

Breakfast hours at IHG properties stay fairly consistent across major U.S. cities, though local demand can shift closing times slightly at busier hotels.

Airport-heavy cities and convention hubs tend to open earlier, while suburban and resort-area locations lean toward later start times. Hours may vary by location within the same city too.

• Atlanta, GA — 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM weekdays, popular with convention travelers
• Denver, CO — some airport-area hotels open as early as 5:00 AM
• Orlando, FL — resort-area properties often start closer to 7:00 AM
• Chicago, IL — downtown business hotels typically run 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM

Approximate Breakfast Hours by U.S. Region

Regional patterns exist across IHG properties, largely shaped by business travel density and typical guest checkout times in each area of the country.

The Northeast and Midwest tend to skew toward earlier weekday openings for business travelers, while Southern and coastal regions run slightly later. Hours may vary by location regardless of region.

Region	Typical Hours	Notes
Northeast	6:00 AM – 9:30 AM	Business-traveler heavy
Midwest	6:00 AM – 9:30 AM	Consistent weekday pattern
South	6:30 AM – 10:00 AM	Slightly later starts common
West Coast	6:30 AM – 10:00 AM	Airport hotels open earlier

IHG Drive-Thru Breakfast Hours

IHG hotels don’t offer drive-thru breakfast service, since breakfast is served inside the hotel’s dining area or lobby rather than through a car window.

If you’re in a hurry, most properties set out grab-and-go items like coffee, pastries, and fruit 15 to 30 minutes before the full breakfast bar opens. Hours may vary by location.

Tip: Ask the front desk about grab-and-go options the night before if you need to leave before the full breakfast service begins.

IHG Holiday Breakfast Hours

IHG hotels generally stay open every day of the year, including major holidays, since guests need a place to sleep regardless of the calendar date.

Breakfast service on holidays often runs on a slightly adjusted schedule, sometimes shorter or later than the usual weekday hours. Hours may vary by location during peak holiday travel periods.

Holiday	Status	Typical Hours
New Year’s Day	Open	Weekend-style hours, may start later
Memorial Day	Open	Standard weekend hours apply
Thanksgiving	Open	Often reduced hours, confirm ahead
Christmas Day	Open	Often reduced hours, confirm ahead
New Year’s Eve	Open	Standard hours, some early closures

Popular IHG Breakfast Menu Items

IHG breakfast menus vary by brand, but most properties serve a hot buffet alongside classic grab-and-go staples for guests on the move.

The Express Start breakfast at Holiday Inn Express locations remains one of the most recognized free hotel breakfasts in the country.

Item	Description	Price Range
Express Start Breakfast	Hot buffet with eggs, sausage, waffles	Free for guests
Cinnamon Rolls	Signature warm cinnamon rolls at many locations	Included in buffet
Yogurt & Cereal Bar	Cereal, yogurt, and fresh fruit options	Included in buffet
Bean-to-Cup Coffee	Freshly brewed coffee available all morning	Included, some all-day
À La Carte Options	Available at full-service brands like Kimpton	$8 – $18

How to Check IHG Breakfast Hours Near You

Hours may vary by location, so confirming ahead of time saves you a wasted trip downstairs, especially at unfamiliar properties.

Here’s how to confirm your specific IHG hotel’s breakfast hours in under a minute using any of these four methods:

• Google Search — search “[hotel name] breakfast hours” for quick results
• Google Maps — check the listing for posted hours and reviews
• Official Website — visit the Dining section on your hotel’s ihg.com page
• Direct phone call — ring the front desk for the most accurate answer

Tips for Visiting IHG During Breakfast

Weekday mornings between 7:00 AM and 8:30 AM tend to draw the biggest crowds, especially at business-traveler hotels near airports and convention centers.

Arriving right when breakfast opens, or within the first 30 minutes, gets you the best selection of hot items before they run low.

• Call the front desk the night before to confirm exact hours
• Arrive early for the best selection of hot breakfast items
• Ask about grab-and-go options if you need to leave before opening
• Check your specific property page on ihg.com for posted hours

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Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Planning around IHG breakfast hours in 2026 comes down to one rule: expect roughly 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM on weekdays and a bit later on weekends, but always confirm with your specific property before heading down for that first cup of coffee.