Has lack of Premier Inn breakfast ruined the weekend?

[Liesmorelies]

I mean, it hasn't, not for me, but DH seems to feel otherwise and I don't know if I've been UR. We (us and two dc) were in London overnight to see a show. We would normally maximise our time in the city and leave maybe this sort of time on Sunday, but we've all been ill and still feel a bit tired and rundown and so agreed we'd leave after breakfast and maybe a walk/quick trip to a park or the river.

When I woke I realised our PI was about a 20 minute walk from Shoreditch market where I was sure there are loads of cafes and stalls. Although we normally have the PI breakfast I thought this would be a nice change and mean we would be doing what we had planned (quick trip to somewhere nice and a walk) and could then leave. Also looked up a particular cafe that looked nice. Everyone agreed - all fine.

When we arrived at the cafe there was a queue. DH immediately said in a moody way, 'That's that then,' and started huffing. I said let's walk up (we were at the end of the road) it might not be that bad, but he had walked off. We ended up wandering around the area with him getting increasingly grumpy. Sods law, we weren't really going past any suitable looking cafes, although I'm sure the area is full of them. We did see a Pret but I didn't want that.

We eventually saw a nice independent cafe where we were able to have porridge,pastries, toast and spreads, fresh juice and lovely coffee. We all ate but DH wouldn't stop going on about the bloody PI. Yes, I get that he would eat his body weight there and we ended up with a relatively small breakfast that probably cost more (though our kids are 16 and 18, so no more free PI breakfasts!) but what we had was lovely, the place was lovely, and a bit different, and, ffs, PI will still be there next time. I offered to look for another place or even a Greggs for him to 'top up,' but he went in full strop mode. DS1 loves a PI breakfast too and he didn't moan, and dd was wanting pancakes in the place with a queue but she didn't moan that she didn't end up getting them, it's just him acting like a child. He also moaned about the cost, saying PI breakfast would have done for lunch as well, but we were home in time for a late lunch and no one wanted food on the journey so it's like he's just looking for stuff to moan about.

We're home now but he has said he's sick of me making all the decisions, I'm fussy and nothing is good enough and I'm just hard work. He's gone for a run but it was an atmosphere all the way home. Did I do wrong - I get I could have looked at booking but to me it worked out fine in the end.

I'd be gutted giving up a PI breakfast for 'porridge,pastries, toast and spreads, fresh juice and lovely coffee.' Sorry but I'm with your DH on this one.

agreed - a PI breakfast is excellent. We always book them if we have out of town weddings etc. Reliable, filling and really not that much different from e.g., a best western or Marriott. You have to go somewhere expensive and independent ime to really notice the difference.

I am a bit with your husband in that the traipsing about can really spoil what was supposed to be a spontaneous and informal time - it is often better to pick the first appropriate place to save the atmosphere.

I can't imagine being in Shoreditch and eating a shite PI breakfast when there are so many independant places to have a lovely brunch.

I’m curious if it was Dishoom with the queue outside? I can certainly understand why the OP would prefer a Dishoom breakfast to a PI breakfast.

I don’t think YABU @Liesmorelies but sounds like your DH is a moaner and you gave him new material so he’s in his element.

There isn’t a “Shoreditch market” - there are multiple markets in the area (such as Spitalfields, Columbia Road, etc) but none with this name. Sounds like you just decided to wing it and as you found out that’s not the best idea in Shoreditch on a Sunday morning as breakfast/brunch out is VERY popular so the best/good places will usually be fully booked and/or have queues unless you time it right. I can understand your DH’s annoyance as most people aren’t receptive to an unexpected wait / wander when hungry. Next time (if there is one) just book ahead, or ask on here where’s a good place to go at what time.

(I live in Shoreditch).

Reliable, filling and really not that much different from e.g., a best western or Marriott. You have to go somewhere expensive and independent ime to really notice the difference.

I disagree. The hot food might be similar (I don’t eat eggs, so the hot food choice at most hotel buffet breakfasts is underwhelming), but the other options are much better at any Best Western or Marriott I’ve stayed at.

I cannot be doing with sulking manchildren. It was one meal FFS, and he got fed, just a bit later. If he'd have used his words in the way of a grown adult in a timely manner, he would have been able to have had his precious hotel fry up. He didn't, and then he made his lack of communication out to be a you problem. It isn't.

My kids love a PI breakfast and would be gutted to skip it. You can go out to a cafe for breakfast any weekend.

More to this. You mentioned he's sick of you making all the decisions. Is there any truth in this? Otherwise, such a first world problem when there is so much hardship in the world.

You are both being a bit unreasonable. It seems like you made the choice for everyone based on there being loads of options but in reality it turned out there werent / you didnt pre book, ill be honest and say those kind of vague plans that lead to trooping around trying to find somewhere i also find frustrating BUT equally DH could have said no and he'd prefer PI and you cpukd have had a discussion about it or split up for breakfast but he didnt, he agreed and then moaned afterwarda endlessy like a child which is also completely unreasonable. He said he is fed up with you making all the decisions - only you know if there is truth in that and if so perhaps invite peoples opunions next time. He may have just said it in the heat of the moment though. I think overall its not that deep - sounds like 6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other and you noty just need to let it go and move on now - sounds like the DC behaved better than the adults! 😬

The issue is not whether the hotel breakfast was better than what they ultimately got, the issue is her DH’s attitude. If it had been so important to him to have the hotel breakfast he shouldn’t have agreed to the alternative plan. Given he did, he should have behaved with good grace, not a grumpy git.

This feels like a parallel universe to me - you’re in LONDON surrounded by amazing food options and yet planned to have a Premier Inn breakfast!!?? Are they really good? What am I missing out on???

I'd personally have stuck with the PI breakfast unless I specifically knew somewhere really amazing in the locality. Dragging round looking for somewhere, especially as you'd all been a bit unwell (and presumably in the freezing cold) isn't much fun. You ended up with pastries, porridge, toast and juice which you can fill your boots with at PI along with eggs, mushrooms, sausages etc. You could've had a little explore around after the hotel breakfast. So on balance I don't think you made the best decision but your DH is also being a sulking man child about it - unless you hardly ever stay in a hotel and the breakfast really was a rare and much anticipated treat.

They're really not that good at all. I think it's the stuff of lunacy to eat there when you have the whole of London to chose from.

Why anyone would want a Premier Inn or Pret breakfast if they were staying in East London for a weekend, I can't imagine.

To me, I like Shoreditch but on a January Sunday morning is miserable. It’s grey, freezing cold full of litter and detritus from the night before, the good cafes are busy and really expensive and may require booking and won’t be to everyone’s taste (you’ll probably find a Swedish bakery or pop-up congee place but might need to search for a decent cooked breakfasts). It’s much nicer on a Friday night or in the summer.

If I’m already feeling knackered and run down on a Sunday morning (as the OP says they were) I’d much rather eat in a warm hotel and then maybe go for a stroll and a coffee and to laugh at the overpriced pretentious shops, £100 hand wash anyone? once I’m feeling ready for the day.

I’m someone who needs to eat pretty quickly in the morning, there’s no way I could be traipsing around trying to find somewhere to eat. I’ve not stayed in a premier inn for a long time so can’t comment on the quality of the breakfast, but I’m sure I’d enjoy a sausage sandwich and a pastry. If it’s included in the price of the hotel I’d definitely see it as “can go out and buy a fancy pastry any time, this is an opportunity for a free breakfast.”
So up to now I’m in your husbands camp. HOWEVER. More fool your husband for just going along with your suggestions by THEN complaining about it. It’s his own fault. If my partner and I were at a hotel where we had breakfast included and he suggested going out for breakfast. Knowing my body and knowing what I want, I’d say to him “right im starving already and the breakfast here is free, I’m gonna pop down for ten mins whilst you finish packing and I’ll grab myself some cereal and a bacon butty, then we can head out together and I’ll get a nice hot choc whilst you’re having your posh pastries.”

I love a PI breakfast and would be disappointed if I was denied it so I have voted YABU.
I also need to eat pretty quick upon waking so I always book a hotel breakfast precisely to avoid the situation you have had wandering around looking for somewhere to eat.

Because my kids have to be fed before 8am or there’s hell to pay. So we stay in premier inn, have a big early breakfast and then head out for a long day in London with happy, full kids.

They were all a bit under the weather and planned (originally) to just have breakfast and go home which seems pretty sensible to me with two DC.

wierd responses here

He is a total brat to moan about a treat breakfast out. Loads of people would see that as a lovely morning

why - when visiting London - would you not enjoy a walk and cafe?

he sounds spoilt and childish tbh - a totally minor thing to complain about and allow to spoil a nice outing.

I'd stick with the safe bet of the hotel breakfast over the gamble of traipsing around hangrily in the hopes of finding something better.

Breakfast is an awkward meal as service changes at varying times too.

I've been stung on that one too many times with family and groups.

why - when visiting London - would you not enjoy a walk and cafe?

Because they were all unwell and tired. It's in the fourth line of the original post.

Just sounds like you were all tired, ill and hungry.

Draw a line under it and move on.

YANBU OP.

I’m amazed how these stroppy men get any woman to give them a second glance. If your dh wanted a bog standard lukewarm PI overpriced mass-catering breakfast, he could’ve had it. The comment about it doing for lunch as well is an absolute ick, tight wad!

The whole point of going away is to experience something different. If he just wants to stuff his face at an unimaginative all you can eat let him. Next time you and the dc can go away for a change of scene and leave the sulker at home.

I love a PI breakfast - I'd only give it a swerve if I was hitting the road early and stopping somewhere on route, or had booked somewhere really decent as an alternative.

Your DH was a bit grumpy and childish, but I can kind of see why tbh!

I know for a fact that I would not have eaten breakfast at a Premier Inn.
The reason I am so sure is that about 10 years ago we stayed at a Premier Inn at a town we visit regularly. We usually stay in a Travelodge as we only need a bed and a shower.
However, breakfast was included in the deal so we tried it. Oh it was awful, really dreadful!
So much so that every time we drive past the building one of says, “Oh, the bread!” in tones of horror!

We are easily amused in our family 😉☺️