- RO (room only): no meals.
- BB (bed & breakfast): breakfast, only breakfast at the hotel.
- HB (half board): half board (breakfast + dinner).
- FB (full board): full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
- AI (all inclusive):
- all inclusive (full board including local drinks);
- All-inclusive system in the hotel, at least three meals a day, at least with local drinks, including alcoholic ones. - UAI (ultra all inclusive):
- all inclusive (full board, including foreign drinks;
- the ultra all-inclusive system in the hotel, at least three meals a day, at least with local and imported beverages, including alcoholic beverages, this system in each hotel can, as a rule, have its own name.
Sometimes HB + and FB + are found:
- HB + (half board plus): breakfast and dinner at the hotel, drinks during dinner included, alcoholic (locally produced) and non-alcoholic. The list of drinks and quantity (1 glass or 2 bottles, etc.) depends on the hotel.
- FB + (full board plus): breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel. During lunch and dinner, alcoholic (locally produced) and non-alcoholic drinks are included.
What type of food is better to choose
If you are going to go on vacation, then it is better to take care of food on vacation in advance.
When choosing a tour, pay attention to what is written in the transcript. It is best to take all inclusive (AI), since in this case everything will be included and the food will be full, in general, no worries. There is only one concern: you have to go to the appointed time to eat.
If you are only going to spend the night at the hotel, then it is better to choose half board (HB is breakfast and dinner). In the morning we got up and had breakfast, all day visiting sights, relaxing, excursions and all the like. Dinner in the hotel in the evening.
For those who prefer to eat in other establishments, the RO option, that is, no beating, is best suited.
RR - room rate, RO - room only, OV - only bed, and EP,BO,AO,NO- no meals.
Meals à la carte- a limited number of dishes from the menu.
A-la carte- a menu in which each dish is indicated with a price.
BB -bed & breakfast- only breakfast (buffet) is included in the price. Additional meals are available for a fee in the restaurants and bars of the hotel.
HB-half board- half board - the price includes breakfast and dinner (buffet), free tea, coffee, water for breakfast.
HB +-half board +, extended half board- extended half board - breakfast and dinner (buffet) and local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks all day.
FB-full board- full board - breakfast, lunch and dinner (buffet).
FB +, EXTFB-full board +, extended half board- extended full board - breakfast, lunch and dinner (buffet), as well as drinks (in some hotels beer and wine) during meals.
Mini all inclusive- full board with local drinks, not only with meals, but in limited quantities.
ALL, Al- all inclusive- breakfast, lunch and dinner (buffet). During the day, drinks are offered (locally produced (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) in unlimited quantities, plus additional meals (lunch, afternoon tea, late dinner, light snacks, barbecues in the hotel bars, etc.).
- a light breakfast consisting of coffee or tea, juice, rolls, butter and jam.
Buffet - Buffet- self-service. Dishes are laid out on trays and each one independently picks up the right amount for himself. Drinks are served either right there in the bar or by the waiters.
CB- Continental breakfast- a light breakfast consisting of coffee or tea, juice, rolls, butter and jam.
AB- American breakfast- similar to a continental breakfast, includes various cuts and hot dishes.
English breakfast- full breakfast, usually includes juice, scrambled eggs, toast, butter, jam and coffee (tea).
HCAL, hign class all inclusive- everything is free, except for shops, phone, doctor, hairdresser, some water sports and scuba diving.
UAL, UAI -ultra aIl inclusive- breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner (buffet). Decent selection of sweets, desserts, all kinds of snacks, as well as a wide selection of local and imported drinks. Most of the Ultra All Inclusive hotels offer guests additional free meals at restaurants with cuisines from around the world. Meals throughout the day, including imported drinks (including alcoholic beverages);
Varieties ultra aIl inclusive: Elegance all inc, VIP all inc, Super all inc, De luxe all inc, VC all inc, Superior all inc, MEGA all inc, Superior all inc VIP Service, Royal Class all inc, Ultra de luxe all inc, Extended all inc , Exellent all inc, Max all inc, Imperial all.
When booking hotels, we choose different types of food. How are such designations deciphered? Which option should you choose? We will tell you about the peculiarities of food in hotels in different countries.
RO (Room Only)
Such a symbol is assigned to hotels where there is no catering. The tourist uses the cheapest option - an overnight stay, or room only. Accommodation without meals is sometimes denoted by different letters - RR, OB, EP, BO, AO and NO.
BB (Bed and Breakfast)
BB type of food in hotels stands for "bed and breakfast", or bed & breakfast. It provides for overnight stay and meals in the morning. Breakfast is served in different ways. During the buffet, you choose your own food from the set of dishes on offer. Hotel restaurants usually prepare scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs, sausages, meat, sausages, cheese, fruits, butter, bread, coffee or tea. Sometimes they exhibit national dishes: in Thailand - Pad Thai noodles, and in Spain - ham and tortilla.
Continental breakfast (CB / CBF), consists of three to four courses. Pastry, honey, butter and coffee. Omelet, bread and coffee. Scrambled eggs, bun and tea. Expanded CBF is supplemented with cereal or muesli, yogurt, cheese, or ham. Such food is liked by all lovers of a light snack.
English or American breakfast (AB / ABF) includes scrambled eggs or scrambled eggs, pieces of fried bacon or sausage, fresh or canned tomatoes. A few mushrooms, white beans, jam, a couple of toast with butter, a glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee are added to them. Hearty and high-calorie food that energizes for a long time!
Photo: Inside Weather | unsplash.com.HB (Half Board)
Half board, or half board, is popular all over the world - meals twice a day. Usually breakfast and dinner, but sometimes breakfast and lunch are offered. At the same time, drinks are served only for breakfast - at other times they need to be bought separately. There is a variant of HB + with pre-paid drinks.
HB is a profitable option for fans of outdoor activities. It will suit you if you spend most of the day on excursions, by the sea or on the ski slope.
FB (Full Board)
Tourists who are relaxing in a hotel or on a nearby beach love full board - three meals a day. Standard FB serves complimentary drinks for breakfast only. Sometimes guests are offered FB + with free local alcohol.
AI (All Inclusive)
All inclusive meals are common in 4 * and 5 * hotels. If you choose Al, then besides breakfast, lunch and dinner, you will receive snacks and barbecues, which include any drinks. Sometimes meals are provided around the clock, or 24 hours.
There are two service options: buffet style and à la carte restaurants. The buffet is the most democratic model, and it is actively used in beach hotels. All food is in sight, so guests can easily and quickly find dishes to their liking.
4 * and 5 * hotels often offer guests a-la carte. Tourists choose their dishes and they are served by waiters. The menu includes two or three types of soups, a couple of snacks and salads, hot dishes and a limited number of soft drinks and alcohol. You can order anything. Elite hotels have several a la carte restaurants with different types of cuisine - Italian, Mexican, Chinese, and others.
Photo: Toa Heftiba | unsplash.com. UAI (Ultra All Inclusive)
The "ultra all inclusive" includes any alcohol, including imported ones - like Scotch whiskey or French cognac. With this type of food in the hotel, you can count on lunch and afternoon tea. Food is served when it is convenient for the guest. The guest can eat around the clock. Even when the cooks are not working, he will be served a plate of meat, cheese and bread so that he can starve the worm.
Photo: Amy Shamblen | unsplash.com. Children's meals in hotels
What will the child eat during the rest? This topic worries all parents. The restaurants of 4 * and 5 * hotels offer a children's menu, but this does not mean that there will be many healthy salads and cereals among the dishes. Often, to the delight of the little tourist, the hotel serves a variety of fast food.
The problem is solved by a buffet or by ordering an individual menu. In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables are readily available in shops and markets.
Photo: Heather Ford | unsplash.com. Food in Turkey
All types of food are in use in Turkish hotels, except for RO. There are few hotels with only breakfasts, and the all inclusive service is very widespread. Nevertheless, according to the reviews of tourists, the food is not varied enough. The hotels serve crayfish - apricot vodka and local wine, but their quality is slightly worse than that of real spirits from Europe.
Food in UAE hotels
In the hotels of the Arab Emirates, food Al and UAl is widespread, however, due to Muslim traditions, alcohol is not available or it is very limited. Some hotels make an exception, but staying there is expensive.
If the hotel is far from the main building, it is better to choose an all-inclusive meal. For a large excursion program and long walks, stop at half board or BB, because food in the city costs 1.5-2 times cheaper than in a hotel restaurant.
Photo: Mae Mu | unsplash.com. Eating in hotels in Egypt
The all inclusive system works well in Egyptian hotels. Tourists are offered a menu close to the European one. The restaurant menus have fish, chicken, lamb and beef, but no pork. There is little national food in the hotels, so be sure to try Egyptian tea, grilled squid, lamb ribs and other exotics that are sold on the streets.
A healthy, wholesome and properly balanced diet is an important part of a great holiday. When planning a vacation, tourists should know how the types of food in hotels are deciphered - RO, BB, HB, FB, AI, UAI. Hotel complexes offer residents a wide range of types of rations, which are included in the cost of living. Explaining the meanings of the intricate English abbreviations will allow travelers to determine what kind of food will suit their tastes and preferences while on vacation. Some tourists like to go on long excursions and walks, while others choose a quiet pastime on the beach or next to the pool. Hence, it is necessary to take into account the variety of types of food in the hotel, so that the rest will leave only pleasant impressions.
The abbreviation RO (roomonly) means that the hotel provides guests with apartments for living without meals. Often, hotels that use a similar system are equipped with small kitchens where guests can prepare their own food. The choice of this type of food allows tourists to significantly save their budget when purchasing a tour.
From this it follows that on the shoulders of holidaymakers lies the concern of daily cooking. The RO power system has a number of positive features. She invites you to get acquainted with the local culinary traditions and customs of the street establishments of the country where you plan to spend your vacation. This favors a significant expansion of horizons, since the hotels offer a standard European menu, which is not very diverse.
People do not depend on a specific meal time, so they can freely plan their walks, visiting significant sights of the place. The RO option is ideal for those on a special diet. In the case of "roomonly", vacationers will not have to change their gastronomic preferences.
Meals on the BB system implies the provision of accommodation at the hotel with breakfast only. Lunch and dinner are provided separately at an additional cost, which is not included in the tour price. Arriving guests at the hotel await an early buffet with a varied selection of dishes. Breakfast includes meat and dairy products, hot dishes and fish, vegetables and fruits, as well as pastries and tea / coffee.
The richness of the assortment depends on the star rating of the hotel and the specifics of the region where the hotel is located. If during their vacation tourists are planning a rich excursion program along the cozy streets of unfamiliar cities, then the "bed & breakfast" will become a wonderful meal option. This eliminates the loss of missed and paid meals and dinners.
The abbreviation HB stands for half board. Half board assumes that hungry tourists will be fed in the morning and evening. The rate includes free breakfast and dinner. Lunches and alcohol are paid additionally. Refreshing soft drinks, tea and coffee, as well as cereals, omelets and fruits are served in the morning only. For dinner, more hearty dishes are served, consisting of meat, fish, salads, side dishes and desserts.
The variety of dishes depends on the category of the hotel. Half board is convenient for travelers who prefer to spend the daytime outside the hotel area: relax on the seaside, go on excursions, take walks around the city, and explore local architectural and natural attractions. It is unlikely that visits to water parks, dolphinariums and museums will be short-term.
With the "half board" vacationers do not risk missing a meal. Moreover, in a hot time of the day, a traditional hot lunch may be out of place. It will be much more pleasant to enjoy fresh fruits or salads, which you can order in one of the cafes.
There is an extended version of the "half board" power supply system. It provides for the inclusion in the price of the tourist package the cost of alcoholic and soft drinks. Half Board + allows guests to cool off locally produced alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails for free throughout the day. Half board plus is beneficial for those who do not want to overpay for lunch and be content with various drinks.
Choosing a hotel with the FB (Full Board) catering system, tourists are freed from the worry of looking for places where you can have a hearty and tasty meal. This is a full board service providing breakfast, lunch and dinner at strictly regulated times. This option of a three-day diet is acceptable for those who prefer to eat at a certain hour, and are also supporters of rest without drinking alcohol. The Full Board program does not include alcoholic and non-alcoholic soft drinks in the diet. They must be paid separately.
Guests are offered a wide selection of dishes. The first meal is often a buffet. Portions are not limited, which allows everyone to satisfy their hunger at their own discretion. Lunch and dinner are served according to the menu. For fans of outdoor activities and excursions, FB will not be a profitable solution. This type of food is suitable for those who prefer to spend time at the hotel or on the beach.
The most popular among domestic tourists is the All Inclusive (Al) catering system. Each hotel implies its own list of services under the All Inclusive catering system. Depending on the star category of the hotel, Al may consist of three or multiple meals a day. In addition to a variety of dishes, tourists are offered an unlimited number of local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks around the clock.
By choosing AI, vacationers get rid of any difficulties in choosing their diet. A deep knowledge of foreign languages is not required so that tourists could express their wishes or requests when choosing culinary delights. Serving dishes is organized according to the "buffet" system. Guests put any food they like on the plates on their own.
For tourists who prefer to attend excursions and take sightseeing walks, the "All Inclusive" type of food is rather uneconomical. AI will appeal to adherents of "lazy" rest, who do not want to immerse themselves in the local original environment and see its sights.
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Ultra All Inclusive is a food program with a wide selection of high quality food and drinks. Guests are given the opportunity to eat as many times a day as they wish, at any time of the day or night. The cuisine is distinguished by a variety of dishes. Open access to snacks, desserts and ice cream. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic products are included in the price of the UAI system. Dinners are held in the "Ala Carte" restaurants located on the territory of the hotel complexes.
The customer service concept is based on a diversified self-service system. After all, sooner or later, tourists will get bored of satisfying their hunger at the buffet. Vacationers can dine in sophisticated surroundings and feel part of a privileged community. Free serving of culinary masterpieces takes place in accordance with the menu.
It should be noted that the choice of a hotel with the Ultra All Inclusive type of food can negatively affect people suffering from alcoholism. Since UAI is the most expensive category of hotel services, vacationers should decide how often they will be away from the hotel.
In modern hotel complexes, special attention is paid to breakfasts. A tasty and hearty morning meal sets the stage for a successful and prosperous day for a tourist. Active travelers who prefer to go on sightseeing tours can order food with them.
The following types of breakfast are distinguished:
- Continental is the most common type of breakfast in European hotels. Guests are served a fairly light menu without hot dishes and with a limited number of products. Their assortment depends on the star category of the hotel. Breakfast is often self-service, where each guest chooses what they want. The morning ration can consist of buns with butter and jam, juice and coffee, yogurt and croissant, cereals and muesli, pancakes and pancakes. Meat and dairy dishes are an extended addition to the continental breakfast, but this is just an exception. Basically, this type of morning meal gives a short-term feeling of fullness;
- American. Fans of a hearty morning meal should choose this type of breakfast. It is an extensive selection of high-calorie meals. The hotel kitchens offer guests scrambled eggs, bacon, fish, sausage, hot snacks, pancakes, cheese, corn and many other high-calorie foods. The virtue of an American breakfast is its density. Tourists, having refreshed in the morning, can do without snacks until lunch, or even dinner;
- English. This type of food is a harmonious combination between a high-calorie and a light menu. The traditional morning diet consists of baked goods, toast, jam, honey, preserves, oatmeal with milk, potatoes, sausages and bacon scrambled eggs.
What is a buffet
The most popular and widespread option of hotel catering, which allows you to feed a large number of hotel residents as quickly as possible, efficiently and appetizingly at the same time, is a buffet. This type of service is used in numerous tourist complexes: from budget hotels to luxury hotels.
Buffet meals are included in the price. Distribution counters are served with a variety of ready-made meals, the assortment of which depends on the star rating of the hotel. The offered dishes are able to satisfy any gastronomic preferences of the client. Groups are laid out for snacks, salads, fruits, soups, side dishes, meat dishes, juices, pastries, vegetables, desserts and many other products. Cutlery, plates and cups are laid out on a separate table.
As a rule, we make sure that it matches our preferences in advance. We are talking about comfort, amenities, entertainment and, of course, food (see our "" section).
Making sure your vacation is good is what this article is about. In it you will find all the necessary information about the organization of catering in hotels abroad, the decoding of abbreviations that are given in the characteristics of a particular hotel regarding catering.
According to the rules, the types of meals indicated in this kind of hotel information are already included in the price of the stay. And this is a very important detail when budgeting for your future vacation.
Types of food in hotels
The type (type) of food in the hotel is indicated in the characteristics (description) of the hotel room, immediately after the type of accommodation you book. Its abbreviation consists of two or three Latin letters. Here's a complete list:
RO(room only) - accommodation without meals.
EP(european plan), BO(bed only), AO(accomodation only), RR(room rate), OV(only bed), NO- accommodation without meals.
BB(Bed breakfast) - breakfast is included in the price (it can be organized according to the "buffet" system). The menu for such a meal consists of hot and cold dishes and drinks. The range of dishes depends on the traditions of the country and the preferences of the hotel owners.
HB(half board) - half board, which includes breakfast and dinner (can be organized according to the buffet system), in addition, you can order tea, coffee, water for free.
HB+ (half board +, extended half board) - the hotel's catering system is built on the principle of extended half board, breakfast and dinner (buffet) are included in the price of accommodation, in addition, throughout the day you can order local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available hotel bar.
FB(Full board) - full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner), food is served on a buffet basis.
FB +(full board +), EXTFB(extended half board) - an abbreviation for an extended full board, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner (buffet) and drinks (possibly beer and wine).
Mini all inclusive- Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) with local drinks served throughout the day, but in limited quantities.
ALL, Al(All inclusive) in translation means all inclusive - breakfast, lunch and dinner (buffet). During your stay at the hotel throughout the day, you can consume the offered non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks in unlimited quantities, additional forms of food are also practiced (light breakfast consisting of rolls, butter, jam, coffee or tea, juice, second breakfast, light snacks, afternoon tea, late dinner, barbecue, etc.).
HCAL(hign class all inclusive) - if the description of the hotel room contains such an abbreviation, then you get everything for free, except for purchases while visiting shops, phone, doctor's services, hairdresser service, some entertainment (water sports and diving).
Additional, UAI(ultra aIl inclusive) - breakfast, late breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner (buffet). Meals will be complemented by a good selection of desserts, sweets, ice cream, all kinds of cold snacks, local and imported drinks. Some of the hotels operating on the Ultra All Inclusive system can offer guests additional free meals in restaurants with various national cuisine. At the same time, meals are available throughout the day and include various drinks (including alcohol). Ultra aIl inclusive options:
- Elegance all inc
- Super all inc
- VIP all inc
- De luxe all inc
- VC all inc
- MEGA all inc
- Superior all inc
- VIP Service
- Ultra de luxe all inc
- Royal Class all inc
- Max all inc Extended all inc
- Exellent all inc
- Imperial all
Additional forms of food in hotels decoding
CB(Continental breakfast) - Continental breakfast (may be called "French breakfast"). It is a light breakfast, the list includes coffee (tea), juice, rolls, butter and jam. As a rule, this form of food is offered in European city hotels. Usually it consists of an economical set of "coffee + croissant", which characterizes these types of breakfast very well. It has a minimal variety of choice, but you are guaranteed significant savings if additional payment is provided.
AB(American breakfast) - American breakfast, similar to the continental breakfast menu, it involves serving various cuts, from hot dishes only omelet with bacon (or with sausages) is served.
EB(English breakfast) - breakfast, full and hearty breakfast, usually the menu includes juice, scrambled eggs (scrambled eggs), toast, rolls, butter, jam and coffee (tea).
UAI(Ultra all inclusive) - this type of food includes the maximum list: breakfast, late breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner (buffet). You will be offered a large selection of various sweets, desserts, ice cream, all kinds of cold snacks, local and imported drinks.
