PJs at the buffet: Is it okay to wear sleepwear during breakfast at hotels?

"You can afford a luxury hotel, but not the effort to dress appropriately for breakfast? Come on... sa umaga na ba ang pajama party?" the user wrote.

The post quickly gained mixed reactions online. Some agreed that pajamas belong strictly inside hotel rooms, while others argued that guests should be free to dress comfortably during their stay.

"People you usually see dressed up at hotel dining areas probably have a meeting or conference to attend in a few hours, or people checking out to catch flights. If I’m on vacation, I’d definitely not go down with the clothes I’ve slept in," one commenter said.

Another wrote, "Some mid-range to luxury hotels don’t allow guests to enter the breakfast hall in PJs because of hygiene and dress-code expectations. If a hotel has that policy, it’s important to respect it. But if a hotel is more relaxed and allows it, then there’s really no need to judge how other guests choose to dress."

So, where exactly should the line be drawn between comfort and etiquette? PhilSTAR L!fe spoke with hotel executives as well as an etiquette expert to find out what’s actually acceptable when it comes to hotel dress codes.

Are pajamas acceptable in shared hotel spaces?

According to Ada, a marketing head of a luxury business hotel, their establishment doesn't allow guests to wear sleepwear in the buffet area.

"As much as possible, the guests have to be in like a smart casual attire. When it comes to footwear, we're a little bit strict only because may mga hot food items in the restaurant like soup or porridge or congee, and if guests have their toes or their feet exposed with sandals, they might be prone to slipping or baka may matapon na food and then magka-burns," she said.

She also explained that they discourage going out in the dining area in sleepwear because they have guests who "really make an effort to wear smart casual attire."

"Some of them, the preference really is to have that kind of outfit in the restaurant kasi we're a five-star hotel," said Ada, who has 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

"We're not just catering to locals, we're also catering to foreign travelers. So syempre, may mga kanya-kanyang preferences for each type of traveler, right? So we strike a balance among all of those different traveler profiles, and we find a sweet spot, and I think that's the best position that we're in at the moment."

Carol, an executive of a luxury hotel resort with 20 years of experience, similarly shared that they also follow a rule of having their guests wear proper attire when dining in their restaurants and breakfast areas.

"We'd like for the guests to wear tasteful casual attire to complement the dining experience. The intention is to create a comfortable yet refined environment for all the diners," she said.

"While we want our guests to feel comfortable, we also want to maintain a certain level of good ambiance for everyone's enjoyment. Kumbaga, it's not only for us, the hotel, but it's in respect to all the guests," she added.

Carol noted that the ambience of their restaurant is "modern, contemporary, and luxurious," which is why dressing appropriately is encouraged to "create a comfortable yet refined environment for all the diners."

Dominic, a hotel general manager who has been in the industry for 22 years, added that wearing pajamas during breakfast is typically not allowed for business and city hotels, and that it's recommended to "wear something that’s generally accepted."

"Sleepwear is for sleeping. It should only be worn inside the room. Wearing proper or appropriate clothes in public areas is considered a sign of respect for others," he said.

Perspective of an etiquette expert

Etiquette expert Joy Buensalido shared that she has "never felt comfortable about seeing hotel guests come down for breakfast wearing their actual sleepwear." She has also encountered guests looking visibly unkempt, with some "not even combing their hair."

"If you’re having breakfast in a private suite, or in a room where you and your friends decided to have a morning post-sleepover, it’s fine. But as a matter of practice, one should not go down to a hotel dining area without exerting a little effort to look presentable or at least decent looking," she said.

Buensalido reasoned that there are some guests who are there for business breakfast meetings, so it will be "a bit awkward for them to see other guests not respecting the expected dress code."

"While some people may argue that they are paying guests and should be able to wear whatever they want, it’s not enough or sufficient to address the blatant lack of respect for others. It’s a public place after all," she maintained.

"Some people may say if you’re a celebrity, you may be excused, but in my book, it’s even worse because famous people or even 'influencers' should provide a good example to the public. The more popular you are, the more you should show and practice decency and respect for others," she added.

What’s the safest rule guests could follow?

While dressing appropriately is the standard, Ada noted that whether or not pajamas are allowed in the breakfast area ultimately depends on the type of hotel and the atmosphere that the establishment wants to create.

"It varies from hotel to hotel. I cannot speak for the other hotels, but for us at least, that's the way we do it," she said. "Kapag resort hotels, there are times when it's more relaxed in terms of the environment. 'Yung mga nasa beach resort, destinations outside of Metro Manila, they might follow a different dress code."

The best rule that guests should keep in mind is to ask or check the hotel’s policies beforehand.

"Sometimes, when you plan your outing, when you go on vacation or [a] holiday, or even when you attend an event, you try your best to find out the dress code kasi you want to basically mesh with the people who are there," she said.

"It's also [the hotel's responsibility] to inform the guests. Ngayon, if the hotel is not able to advise the guests until the time na nag-arrive, parang that's where the hotel should be more proactive in informing them," she continued.

According to Carol, with the prevalence of technology, hotels usually make their dress code policies accessible online.

But if it's not available, she said that as a "rule of thumb" for everyone traveling, you should consider what you expect from others.

"If you expect others to be presentable, you also present yourself presentably," she said.

Dominic, meanwhile, said, "When unsure, it is always safe to go overdressed. For hotels, smart casual works. If you want to be sure, best to ask or check with the hotel."

Editor's Note: The names of Ada, Carol, and Dominic have been changed per their request for anonymity.