Beyond location, price and amenities, there is another thing to consider: are you holidaying half board, full board or all-inclusive? Let’s dive into the meaning of half board.
While all-inclusive holidays are growing in popularity, it feels like the terms full board and half board are appearing less and less. That doesn’t mean they’re not still very valid though and something you should know about before you book. So, what does half board mean? In this article I’ll explain what it is, its benefits, and how to search for hotels that offer it – even if they don’t say they do.
What does half board mean?
The term half board goes back to Tudor times when innkeepers and landowners offered travellers ‘bed and board’. This means they would host guests overnight and feed them at a table – the ‘board’. This old terminology has stuck around, and its meaning hasn’t really changed.
As a child, I remember my parents discussing what hotel food package they should book for holidays. My mum loved convenience, especially with three fussy-eating children. My dad, a foodie, preferred to opt out, so we were free to eat out and indulge in local cuisines. I had no idea what it meant.
Nowadays, it’s a term I don’t see used quite as much. Instead, you’re more likely to see ‘breakfast and dinner included’ or self-catering at motels or hotels.
What is full board vs half board vs all inclusive?
It’s not just breakfast, lunch or dinner you can get bundled into the price of your stay. There are often various options to choose from, especially if you’re booking at a big resort or hotel.
Overview of halfboard, full board and all-inclusive:
| Type of accomodation | What’s included? | Who’s it suitable for? |
|---|---|---|
| Half board | Bed, breakfast and lunch or dinner | Good if you still want to explore and eat locally. |
| Full board | Bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner | Good if you want all your meals covered at the hotel. |
| All-inclusive | Bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus activities | The all-in package for utter hotel immersion and few extra expenses. |
What does all-inclusive include?
As the name suggests, all-inclusive means unlimited food, drinks and activities included in the room rate. Particularly great for families and groups, going all-inclusive reduces hassle and effort and means no big bills to argue over at the end of the trip.
Before you book an all-inclusive stay, make sure to check exactly what’s included. Unlimited food and drinks may mean buffet meals and non-premium alcohol (with a surcharge for branded drinks – especially spirits). Included activities may be limited as well – particularly motorised activities like jet skis and monitored activities like scuba diving.
What does full board include?
Full board typically includes breakfast, lunch and dinner in the room rate, but not usually alcohol or activities. It can be a particularly great option if you’re staying at a resort with multiple restaurants where you have choices. It’s also a popular option for families, not only for convenience but also for budgeting.
Why do some hotels offer half board?
Hotels like to offer half board for a few reasons. Most obviously, it adds a guaranteed revenue stream and helps them plan and budget. It also adds an element of flexibility and convenience for guests not hell-bent on trying every local delicacy. You’re most likely to find such a package for stays at bigger hotel chains and resorts, alongside all-inclusive options.
Why do other hotels not offer half board options?
Some hotels don’t offer half board simply because their size or location doesn’t really justify it. You’ll find fewer stays of this type in city hotels where there are lots of other restaurants and cafés nearby.
Equally, small hotels may not have the restaurant facilities to cater to it. While a bed and breakfast is a staple of almost every hotel, cereal, toast, fruit and even a fry-up don’t usually demand a fully-catered restaurant kitchen.
How to book half board hotels on KAYAK
Because the term isn’t used as much nowadays, there isn’t a dedicated half board filter on KAYAK. Instead, you can use filters to search for all-inclusive stays or those with free breakfast included in the room rate.
If you’re looking for a half board stay, instead select the ‘Restaurant’ filter under Amenities when you search. This will show you only hotels with restaurants, so you can then check if they offer the food package when you book.
You can also use the KAYAK Holiday Packages tool to find the cheapest combination of flights and hotel deals.
Is half board worth it?
If the resort or hotel you’re booking can cater to it, half board can definitely be worth it. Including breakfast and one other meal a day strikes the perfect balance between convenience and flexibility.
You can enjoy lunch at the resort and head out for a delicious local dinner in the evening, or grab lunch while you’re out and about in the day and take full advantage of dinner on site in the evening.
I like half board because I can roll out of bed, go down to breakfast and have a big meal without much thought. I’ll then head out for the day, exploring the local area and indulging in the cuisine there. Tired from a long day of exploring, I like to come back to the hotel, freshen up, and then enjoy dinner in the hotel to kick off an evening of fun with a pal before heading back to your twin room for a much needed sleep. It’s really the best of both worlds.
Be mindful of the cost savings too – it means you only have to pay for one meal per day while you’re away. When you’re weighing up your options, research restaurants near the hotel and how much they charge for dishes. Then, calculate how much that will cost you roughly for the duration of your holiday versus the cost of being half board at your hotel. You might be surprised how large the cost savings may be.
Benefits of booking a half-board holiday
Here are some of the stand-out perks of booking a half-board stay for your next holiday:
- Two guaranteed meals a day at the hotel, saving you money on eating out
- Compared to full-board or all-inclusive, you have more chances to try local cuisine outside the hotel
- The convenience of having meals where you’re staying instead of trying to find a good restaurant for every meal
- Helps you stick to a budget on holiday as there are fewer extra costs to juggle
Find stays in your favourite destinations
Different destinations often lend themselves better to certain types of stay. Big beautiful beach resorts are great for all-inclusive stays, like those in Palma de Mallorca and Miami Beach.
Book a stay in any of the world’s great cities and you’ll find more bed and breakfast and half board options. Close to home, there are some wonderful B&Bs in London and Paris.
In America, I’ve always loved Nashville, Chicago and Orlando in particular for the spectacular, special and strange B&Bs you can find. After all, who doesn’t love a huge American breakfast to kickstart their day?
FAQs
Half board in a hotel usually includes breakfast and dinner alongside your accommodation. Lunch is often also an option but you should check in advance before you book. Half board is popular, as it balances the convenience of a daily meal at your hotel with the chance to dine out.
Typically, breakfast and one other meal are included with your stay at a half board rate. This can be lunch or dinner, or a variation of the two, depending on the hotel. Half board may include soft drinks, but often doesn’t include alcohol. It’s always worth checking with the hotel before you book to see what’s included.
Half board typically includes accommodation, breakfast and one other meal in your room rate. It usually doesn’t include alcohol. All-inclusive typically includes all meals and activities in the room rate, as well as alcohol.
Different hotels and resorts may take different approaches to what all-inclusive means. Some may not include all activities (such as premium experience like SCUBA diving), and some may restrict what alcohol is included. Always check the small print or ask the hotel before booking or ordering.
Book a half board stay in the UK and you’ll typically get breakfast and one other meal included in the room rate. Usually that’s dinner, although some places may offer lunch instead. Alcohol isn’t usually included in a half board stay although soft drinks usually are.
No. For a beachfront hotel, drinks would only be included when booking an all-inclusive package.
