Zebsterama - looks like we will be there similar times, we are doing HRH and Beach Club!
Cool!

There's me, DW, DS 14, DD,12. Really looking forward to this one!
Last time we were at Uni (2 summers ago I think - the summer Diagon Alley opened ... getting old can't even remember haha!) we did 9 nights at HRH. Apologies I can't really be much help regarding your question, mainly because we stayed in club - so breakfast was always in the club room.
Here's what I do know ... unless something has changed (or there's something I don't know - which is very very possible), if you're going to Universal Studios from HRH, then you're likely walking (it's so so close), in that case (unless something got built since we were last there) you'd almost have to grab a snack in the hotel itself. There are no options on the way walking, unless you plan to take the boat to City Walk, which honestly to me, doesn't make any sense. Can someone on the board with more knowledge please confirm / elaborate? Thanks!
On the other hand, if you're going to Islands of Adventure, then taking the boat from HRH, makes sense. That gets you to the City Walk port, then you walk to IOA. Unfortunately I can't tell you about a snack option (again for the same reason - sorry :-(). I will say that again, in my opinion, for IOA early mornings, that again grabbing something in the hotel makes more sense. Why? I'm thinking grabbing something at City Walk before you hit IOA (although makes a lot more sense as opposed to Universal mornings) is still a little bit off course. If efficiency of time is the primary factor, then grabbing something at HRH makes the most sense to me.
A couple of more things ... since (as you can see) brevity is not my strong suit. Haha!
If this is your first trip (that 9 nighter was ours) at Universal Parks, HRH is an an awesome fun hotel, and Universal is so very different than Disney (not a knock) - you're going to love it!
Since you're going mid to end August, the pace should be even better!
FYI - only 3 nights at Uni this time. Trying Portofino, because we've been/love Italy, loved the Hotel when we checked out the pool one day during our last trip. I have to admit, comparatively we think the pool at Porto was more to our tastes than HRH. That being said, HRH is awesome. Do yourself a favour have dinner (one night) at The Kitchen restaurant in the hotel. Great food and service ... and the price wasn't insane.
Also if this is your first Uni trip, you have to do Mythos - at least once!
Our plan was 7 nights at Beach Club (love it there), but trying BWV for first time instead.
Enjoy your trip, and good luck getting your answer!