From Room Only to All Inclusive - Which Board Basis is Best?

Unsure of the difference between room only, self-catering, half board, full board and all-inclusive? You often see these phrases pop up on holiday websites, but what do they mean and how do you know which one to choose?

Choosing a board basis for you and your travel companions is a big decision that will have a huge impact on how your holiday will go. The decision is more difficult if you don’t really know the difference between board bases, and if you’re unsure about what’s included. Each holidaymaker has a different travel aspiration, so your decision depends on many factors, such as how long you plan to go on holiday for, where you are visiting and what you plan on getting up to during your trip. Below is a guide to all of your options to help you weigh up the pros and cons and make that important holiday decision. 

Room Only

 

This board basis is pretty self-explanatory, in that you literally do just get a room only, with a bed and a bathroom. There are no meals included, neither are there any facilities or equipment to prepare and cook your own dishes. Room only is perfect if you’re going on a city break and plan on staying in a well-located accommodation, so that you can explore. Room only is also ideal if you plan on staying in an airport hotel and have an early flight the next day, as there are some really cheap deals on room only hotels. If you don’t normally spend much time at your accommodation during a holiday, then this could be a suitable board basis for you. You do have to be careful with budgeting when it comes to room only though, and ensure that your spending money covers costs for all three meals each day.

 

 

Self-Catering

 

Self-catering is similar to room only in that it doesn’t include any meals in the cost, but this board basis allows you cook and prepare your own food. You’ll be provided with basic kitchen facilities such as a fridge, microwave, toaster and cooker. Having this ability to make your own food is a very cost-effective travel method, as you can buy a bulk of great value ingredients from a local market or supermarket – perfect for chefs at heart who want to cook up some local delicacies. You also have the option to occasionally eat out at restaurants with self-catering, which is great for those who like getting out and about. This board basis is ideal for those who like to take their home comforts with them and still have the option to dine out.

 

 

Bed and Breakfast

Bed and breakfast includes breakfast in the price of your hotel, but you will have to eat elsewhere for lunch and dinner. This is a somewhat convenient board basis, as you don’t have to prepare your own breakfast or worry about finding somewhere to eat in the mornings. Breakfast is normally served as a buffet in most bed and breakfast accommodation, with a variety of continental dishes to sample, and sometimes hot food options. This will fuel you up with energy and nutrients for the day ahead so you’ll be ready to explore, and in the afternoon and evening, you can look forward to trying out other food places. Bed and breakfast only works well if you stay in a central location that has other food options nearby. Those on city breaks or sightseeing holidays should definitely think about going for a bed and breakfast accommodation, and research about the location of their chosen hotel.

 

Half Board

 

With half board, breakfast and one main meal (usually your evening meal) is included with the accommodation price, and you’ll have to pay extra for any drinks, lunch and snacks. This is a great option for those who don’t consume too many drinks, and those who prefer to try lunch out of their hotel or resort. With half board you have the freedom to explore during the day and then you can return to your hotel in the evening for dinner. This will save spending money, as usually the meals are served as a buffet, so you’ll only need to buy a light lunch or snacks. However, half board does restrict you a bit because you’ll feel as though you need to rush back to the hotel for dinner. Some hotels that offer half board allow you the option of lunch instead of dinner, which gives you a bit of flexibility with your meal times.

 

 

Full Board

Full board includes all of your meals, with the exception of drinks and snacks. This will save you a lot of spending money, and you don’t have to worry about searching for somewhere to eat every day. Full board is particularly great for those who want a chilled out holiday, and those who don’t plan on venturing out too much. Opting for this board basis also means you have the freedom to head out after dinner in the evenings in the surrounding area of your hotel to explore the nightlife and entertainment. There are a lot of great value full board holidays, which means you could probably still eat out once or twice during your trip. You’ll definitely make the most of your stay at your accommodation with full board, so you’d need to make sure you do your research about the hotel and check out reviews to make sure all is good with the food and facilities.

 

 

 

All-Inclusive

All-inclusive holidays allow you to leave your card at home and fully indulge in free unlimited meals, drinks and snacks throughout your stay. This is the most popular of the board bases, which, much like full board, is a perfect option for those who plan on spending a lot of time at their hotel and want the ultimate relaxing holiday. All-inclusive holidays take a lot of stress away from the travel planning, however, each hotel is specific in what they include with all-inclusive and what times the service is available, so make sure you do your research before booking your accommodation. All-inclusive also may become a little repetitive, especially if the hotel only has one restaurant. A lot of luxury all-inclusive resorts include speciality a la carte restaurants, so they are definitely worth looking into. It’s best to look at hotel reviews to give you an idea of your dining options. 

 

So what board basis is best? All-inclusive? Self-catering? We believe there is no official best choice; it all depends on what you want from your holiday. We hope the above has helped to inform and inspire you on which board basis is best suited to you. Once you have decided on your favourite, why not check out our holiday deals which cover all types of accommodation and board bases.