With a platform like KAYAK, finding your dream hotel has never been easier. Just plug in where you want to go and it will do the hard work for you. But beyond location, price and amenities, there is another thing to consider: are you holidaying half board, full board or all-inclusive?
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 is half board? In this article I’ll explain what it is, its benefits, and how to search for hotels that offer half board – even if they don’t say they do.
What does half board mean?
The term half board reaches all the way back to Tudor times when innkeepers and landowners offered travellers ‘room and board’ or ‘bed and board’. This means they would host guests overnight and feed them at a table – the ‘board’.
This old terminology has stuck around over the centuries and its meaning hasn’t really changed. Book a half board stay today and you’ll get bed, breakfast and either lunch or dinner included in the price.
As a child, I remember my parents ‘discussing’ whether they should book half or full board hotels for our holidays. My mum loved it for its 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 as I did in my youth. This despite it being more relevant than ever with holiday budgets tightening and eating out costs skyrocketing. Instead you’re just as likely to see hotels offering ‘breakfast and dinner included’ – even though it means the same thing.
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 more easily. It also adds an element of flexibility and convenience for guests not hell-bent on trying every local delicacy.
Some hotels don’t offer half board simply because their size or location don’t really justify it. You’ll find fewer half-board stays 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 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.
Instead, you’re more likely to find half board stays at bigger hotel chains and resorts, alongside full board and all-inclusive options.
What are all-inclusive and full board?
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. Choosing the right one for your holiday can make a real difference not only to your experience, but also to your budget.
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.
Can I find half board hotels on KAYAK?
Because the term half board 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 half board when you book.
You can also use the KAYAK Holiday Packages tool, which helps you 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 just one meal a day strikes the perfect balance between convenience and flexibility.
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. With half board, the choice is yours.
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 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.
