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Half Board, Full Board, All-Inclusive, and Other Terms Travelers Should Know

The hospitality industry is endowed with different terminologies that travelers need to be aware of in order to have a comfortable and enjoyable stay.  From half board packages that provides breakfast and another meal (either dinner or lunch) to full board arrangements, all-inclusive deals where all meals and drinks are provided, self-catering, and so much more. These terminologies can be confusing but understanding them all is crucial to making the best decision when planning to make reservations.

What is the Meaning of Half-Board?

Let’s start by dissecting the word ‘’Half-Board’’ which is a combination of the word ‘’Board’’ and ‘’Half’’. Board refers to the number of meals provided by a hotel during a guest stay. ‘’Half-Board’’ means that the price of the reservation includes two meals a day for the guest, breakfast and dinner. While half-board is usually breakfast and dinner, some hotels offer flexibility allowing the guests to choose between lunch and dinner.

Such meals may be in the form of a buffet or a set of menus with options for each course. Half-board package provides guests with the convenience of two catered meals without having to stress over sorting out food and with the option to explore local cuisine within the hotel vicinity. With breakfast taken care of, guests can tour the area of their choice and come back to a scrumptious meal to call off the day.

This package is the perfect option for guests working on a tight budget as it is quite cheap compared to other packages like Full-board or All-Inclusive.

The Meaning of Full-Board (FB) Package

Full-Board is a common board package among most hotels. The package covers three meals; breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which are usually served as buffets, and drinks are only included in breakfast. With full-board, the price of the reservation is inclusive with all three meals, providing guests with the convenience of indulging in a savory breakfast, a midday feast, and a delicious dinner without having to deal with the hassle of searching for restaurants or spending extra cash. This is a very good package for guests who want to enjoy their leisure time exploring, while also avoiding excessive expenses on restaurant foods. It offers a very convenient and comfortable service but it is different from the all-inclusive service as extra services which are not included in the package are charged separately.

What Does All-Inclusive (AI) in a Hotel Mean?

This package is often used interchangeably with full-board but there are a few differences that separate these packages. All-Inclusive, as the name implies, offers three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) while also providing drinks and snacks. This package is most suitable for guests in full vacation mode who do not want to go through the hassle of deciding what to eat or drink. It allows guests to enjoy a cashless, economical, comfortable, and convenient holiday with their needs just within reach.

With this package, guests do not need to worry about paying extra cash for drinks and snacks during their stay as all expenses are already taken care of while reserving the room. However, some hotels limit their all-inclusive offer to selected drinks, so it is advisable to check whether the hotel has limitations.

What is the Meaning of Bed and Breakfast?

Bed & Breakfast (B&B) is a package that offers guests accommodation and breakfast with no other meals, snacks, and drinks included. This type of package is mostly available at lodgings, small or family-run establishments designed to give a cozy and homey feeling. This is an ideal package for guests who are tourist looking to spend their whole day exploring, after enjoying a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel.

What Does Room Only Mean?

Room Only is a package that covers the price of accommodations in a hotel and lodgings but does not include the cost of food, drinks, or snacks. This is the cheapest package available; it is ideal for guests who want to explore the area they are visiting as well as explore the various cuisines in the area.

What Does Self-Catering Mean?

Self-catering, also known as a self-contained holiday package in the hospitality industry, covers accommodation while also providing guests with the needed cooking facilities (microwave, fridge, gas) to cook their meal. This type of accommodation is usually fully furnished cottages or houses and it is the ideal board for a big family and couples as it provides for a private atmosphere during mealtimes and also helps to cut down expenses. On another note, the package suits everyone’s needs.

Which Package is Best Suitable for Your Holiday Needs?

When deciding the type of package to opt for, it is advisable to consider the prices of the different options – half-board, full-board, all-inclusive, room-only, and self-catering to determine which of the packages fit within the budget. It is also advisable to ask for the prices of lunch, snacks, or bottled water to be able to determine which package is the best.

After comparing prices, your plan for the holiday should also be put into consideration. If you want to explore the place and try out different local cuisine, room-only is the right choice but if you don’t want to worry about meals, full board or half-board or all-inclusive is the right choice for you depending on your budget.

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