When organizing a vacation on the seaside, you have to take into account many nuances: finding a suitable resort, buying tickets for a convenient flight, choosing a decent hotel, etc. An important part of the trip is the types of food in the hotels. Hoteliers offer several types of it: RO, BB, HB, FB, AI and others. A beginner who does not know the tourist vocabulary may not understand the designation and decoding of the types of food in hotels. In our article, we will dwell on each of them in detail and give recommendations on the choice depending on the country and type of vacation.
RO (Room Only)
Literally translated, this type of residence can be designated as “Only room". He has others titles: OB (Only Bed - only bed), RR (Room Rate - category room) and AO (Accommodation Only - room only).
This is the simplest option, in which the guest only pays for accommodation. These offers are common in inexpensive hotels, hostels and apartments.
We recommend choosing Room only those vacationers who prefer to spend time outside the hotel and not be tied to certain hours of the meal. As a rule, these are travelers who are not burdened with small children, who love to discover something new, including from a gastronomic point of view.
For families with a large number of children, on the contrary, this type of residence can create inconveniences: finding a suitable place with a kitchen that meets the needs of the whole family takes a lot of time and effort, and not all parents prefer to cook on their own on vacation.
On a note! In case of a limited budget, we recommend booking an RO type accommodation in an apartment with a kitchen. Living in inexpensive hotels without the possibility of self-catering will significantly increase spending on restaurants and cafes.
BB (Bed and Breakfast)
Translated from english Bed and Breakfast means "bed and breakfast": paying for this type of accommodation, the guest gets not only the opportunity to stay, but also to eat in the morning. Often this is how food is organized in hotels in Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
The most common types of breakfast offered in hotels by the sea are:
- buffet: vacationers can choose an unlimited number of dishes presented in the restaurant in a wide variety;
- Continental breakfast: guests are offered a modest menu of 3-4 components (for example, scrambled eggs, rolls and coffee).
BB it is convenient in that it eliminates the need to look for a place for a snack immediately after sleep. If in the daytime and in the evening tourists are ready for searches and adventures, then the morning hours are the time when the body adjusts itself for the coming day and requires immediate "reinforcement".
Advice! For travelers to Thailand, among the types of food offered in hotels, we recommend choosing exactly BB... The exotic country is full of gastronomic delights, which can only be found outside the hotels. Moreover, many cafes and restaurants are usually located near hotel complexes.
HB (Half Board)
«Half table"(Literal translation) or, as they say among Russian-speaking tourists, half board is the most common food in hotels in the UAE and is found in Thailand, Turkey, Egypt and other tourist countries.
By purchasing HB, vacationers have the opportunity to eat at the hotel's restaurants twice a day, choosing the appropriate format: breakfast-lunch or breakfast-dinner.
Half board is a type of food in hotels, which is suitable for active travelers who spend a significant part of their vacation outside the hotel territory, as well as people who want to visit local restaurants. The Half Board will also appeal to sightseeing enthusiasts who can eat before and after sightseeing.
HB is often chosen for the opportunity to save money on skipping a meal by snacking on a sandwich and fruit purchased in supermarkets for lunch or dinner.
A nuance that should be taken into account when purchasing a tour with this type of food is the serving of free drinks only for breakfast; the rest of the time, guests can either purchase what they need at the hotel for an additional fee, or make purchases in nearby stores.
Advice! If you care about your figure, choose half board: it will save you from overeating in the evening and will not allow you to gain extra pounds.
FB (Full Board)
Full board, which includes three meals a day, is common in Egyptian and Turkish hotels, in Cyprus, Greece, as well as in the Emirates. Its only drawback is that free drinks are served only once a day, mainly for breakfast.
This type of accommodation is suitable for tourists who prefer not to leave the hotel territory, eating only in the hotel restaurants. We do not recommend choosing Full Board for active people who do not want to look at the clock during their rest so as not to miss lunch.
The best hotels:
- Selection in Turkey with a water park
- Turkey hotels on the Aegean Sea
- TOP on the island of Rhodes
HB + and FB +
The decoding of the types of meals half board plus and full board plus is associated with the addition to the offered service Half or Full Board complimentary drinks at all meals. As a rule, local beer and wines are offered from alcohol. Taking into account the fact that the cost of coffee, juices and even water on the territory of hotels is often high, purchasing a tour with this food system can significantly reduce the cost of drinks.
Al (All Inclusive)
«All inclusive"Is one of the most frequently chosen types of food in hotels in Turkey and Egypt. This system operates in almost all 4 and 5 star hotels. It offers a varied assortment of dishes that are freely available. Meals are organized in such a way that free meals, snacks and drinks are served to tourists throughout the day. Usually the last meal is dinner, which ends at 21-22 o'clock; juices, water, lemonade are poured in bars until 24-00. Some of the complexes offer 24-hour service: bistros and cafes are open all night on the hotel territory.
Fans of spirits should keep in mind that this type of food includes free consumption of alcohol such as beer and local wines. Depending on the hotel, cocktails using gin, rum, vodka may be included: gin and tonic, rum and cola, etc. (we recommend checking this information with an agent or on the company's website). The portions in the bars are sometimes disappointing for holidaymakers who often have to ask the bartender to repeat.
All inclusive meals are suitable for all guests. Active travelers do not need to control the hours of their return from boat trips and excursions, while those who like to spend their holidays on the beach and by the pool can have a snack at any convenient time.
All Inclusive is especially popular with married couples: parents with children do not have to adjust to time constraints, and a wide selection of dishes allows you to satisfy the tastes of each family member. For children, “going to the table” becomes a kind of adventure, when they can independently find something new and interesting from a gastronomic point of view.
When resting with young children, you can also choose this type of food. Most Egyptian and Turkish hotels have special offers for babies: different types of cereals, cereals with milk, light soups, mashed potatoes, cutlets, pasta, etc.
On a note! In some complexes of the above average level, restaurants have a children's area with special furniture and a separately developed menu, and in VIP hotels you can find cafes and eateries only for young guests.
The only drawback of the all-inclusive system is the high cost compared to other types of food. However, as practice shows, additional payments for drinks or purchase of additional products HB, FB, HB + and FB + may turn out to be less profitable.
UAI (Ultra All Inclusive)
«Ultra all inclusive»- an extended version of Al, implying the addition of free alcohol, including imported (Scotch whiskey, French cognac, etc.). In addition, the menu includes fresh juices, milkshakes and non-alcoholic cocktails at no extra charge (assortment varies by hotel).
UAI most common among types of food in hotels in Turkey. It is chosen by those who do not want to limit themselves on vacation in anything and have an appropriate budget.
Food is one of the main components of rest. Due to the fact that hotels in tourist countries offer a variety of types of accommodation, you can choose the best option based on your own needs and financial capabilities.
Table of food types in hotels
The best hotels:
- TOP hotels in Crete
- The best hotel complexes in Spain
- A selection of hotels in Montenegro
Food types in the USA
| Description | USA designation | International equivalent designation | What does it include? |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Plan | EP | RO | Pay only for the room |
| Bermuda Plan | BP | BB | A full breakfast is included in the room rate, most often after 10 am |
| Continental Plan | CP | BB | Standard breakfast upon stay |
| Modified American Plan | MAP | HB | The room rate includes breakfast + lunch |
| American Plan | AP | FB | Three meals a day (breakfast + lunch + dinner) |
- Choose a hotel with the right type of food:
