Room Only, B&B, Half Board, Full Board or All Inclusive? Board Basis Explained
What room only, bed and breakfast, half board, full board and all inclusive mean, what is usually included, and how to choose the right board basis for your hotel stay.
Key takeaways
- Room only gives the most freedom; all inclusive gives the most budget certainty.
- Half board usually means breakfast and dinner, full board adds lunch.
- Drinks are often not included on half board or full board; check carefully.
- The best choice depends on the destination, where the hotel is, and how you like to holiday.
In this guide
When you book a hotel or package holiday, especially in Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or Asia, you will be asked to choose a board basis. This simply means which meals (and sometimes drinks) are included in the price. Choosing well can save you a lot of money and hassle.
The board types at a glance
| Board basis | Usually includes | Typical extras to pay for |
|---|---|---|
| Room only (RO) | Just the room | All meals and drinks |
| Self catering (SC) | Room or apartment with kitchen | Food, drinks, sometimes cleaning |
| Bed and breakfast (BB) | Breakfast | Lunch, dinner, most drinks |
| Half board (HB) | Breakfast and dinner | Lunch, drinks with meals, snacks |
| Full board (FB) | Breakfast, lunch and dinner | Drinks, snacks |
| All inclusive (AI) | All meals, snacks and most drinks | Premium drinks, à la carte, spa, some activities |
| Ultra / premium all inclusive | AI plus premium brands, more restaurants | Some top-shelf items, excursions |
Room only
Best for: city breaks, foodies, and destinations with great, affordable restaurants.
You have total freedom to eat where you like. In cities such as Paris, Rome, Tokyo or New York, hotel breakfasts can be expensive compared with cafés nearby, so room only often gives better value.
Bed and breakfast
Best for: sightseeing trips, early starts, countryside stays.
Breakfast included is convenient and can be good value if the hotel's breakfast is generous. In the UK, a full English breakfast can set you up for a day of walking. In the US, many mid-range chains include a free continental or hot breakfast.
Tip: compare the price of the room-only rate plus breakfast at a nearby café. Sometimes the breakfast supplement is poor value.
Half board
Best for: resorts away from towns, ski holidays, travellers who like a relaxed dinner at the hotel.
Half board usually means breakfast and dinner, often buffet style. It suits hotels where there are few restaurants within walking distance. Check:
- Whether dinner is buffet or set menu.
- Whether drinks are included (usually not).
- Whether you can swap dinner for lunch.
- Dress codes at dinner.
Full board
Best for: remote resorts, safari lodges, retreats and cruises-style stays.
Full board adds lunch. It is less common than half board or all inclusive and suits places where you have no other options. Drinks are usually extra, which can add up.
All inclusive
Best for: families, beach holidays, travellers who want to know the total cost in advance.
All inclusive normally covers meals, snacks and most local alcoholic and soft drinks. It is popular in Spain, the Canary Islands, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Mexico, the Caribbean and the Maldives.
Check the fine print: - Bar opening hours and which bars are included. - Whether à la carte restaurants need booking or cost extra. - Whether premium spirits, cocktails, bottled water or coffee shop drinks are included. - Whether the minibar is included. - Kids' clubs and activities.
For a full cost comparison, see our guide: is all inclusive worth it?
How to choose
Ask yourself these questions:
- Where is the hotel? If it is a short walk from great restaurants, room only or B&B gives you more choice. If it is isolated, half board or all inclusive avoids expensive taxis.
- How much do you drink? If you enjoy a few drinks each day, all inclusive can pay for itself quickly. If not, half board may be better value.
- Who are you travelling with? Children snacking all day often make all inclusive worthwhile. See our family hotel tips.
- How much do you want to explore? If you plan day trips, you may miss included lunches.
- What is the local food scene like? In Italy, Japan or Thailand, eating out is half the fun.
Country notes
- UK travellers: Package holidays to the Mediterranean and Canaries commonly offer all board types. Package bookings come with UK financial protection.
- US travellers: All inclusive is popular in Mexico and the Caribbean; US domestic hotels rarely use board basis terms, but many include breakfast.
- Australian travellers: Bali, Fiji and Thailand offer all board types; resort food and drink can be expensive in Fiji, which makes meal packages popular.
Board basis by destination
| Destination | Most popular choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| City breaks (London, Paris, Rome, New York) | Room only or B&B | Huge choice of places to eat |
| Canary Islands and Balearics | Half board or all inclusive | Family resorts |
| Turkey and Egypt | All inclusive | Large resorts, good value |
| Greece | B&B or half board | Great tavernas in villages |
| Mexico and Caribbean | All inclusive | Resorts often isolated |
| Maldives | Half board, full board or all inclusive | Few alternatives on resort islands |
| Ski resorts | Half board | Convenient after a day on the slopes |
| Bali and Thailand | B&B | Cheap, excellent local food |
Questions to ask before choosing
- What exactly is included at each meal (buffet, set menu, à la carte)?
- Which drinks are included, and when?
- Can I swap dinner for lunch on half board?
- Are there extra charges for themed nights?
- What time is breakfast served (important for early tours)?
- Is there a children's menu or discount?
Upgrading on arrival
Many hotels allow you to upgrade your board basis at check-in, sometimes at a lower price than when booking, sometimes higher. If you are unsure, book B&B or half board and ask about upgrade prices on arrival. Check whether upgrades must apply to the whole stay and the whole party.
The bottom line
There is no single best board basis. Match it to the location, your eating and drinking habits, and how much you plan to explore. For more on hotel vocabulary, see our hotel terms glossary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between half board and full board?
Half board includes breakfast and one main meal, usually dinner. Full board includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Drinks are often extra on both.
Does half board include drinks?
Usually not, apart from tea, coffee and water at breakfast, and sometimes water at dinner. Some hotels offer 'half board plus' with drinks at dinner.
Is all inclusive cheaper than half board?
It is more expensive up front, but it can work out cheaper overall if you would otherwise spend a lot on lunches, drinks and snacks. It depends on your habits and the destination.
Prices, fees, taxes and booking rules change often and vary by hotel, date and country. Figures in this guide are typical ranges for planning, not quotes. Always confirm the total price and cancellation terms with the hotel or booking site before you pay.
