Types of food in hotels: breakdown of categories, features, conditions

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

When booking a hotel, many do not pay attention to a couple of Latin letters that are in the description of the room. But it is they who indicate what type of food abroad in hotels. There are situations when the price for accommodation is high, so a potential client thinks that food is also included in this amount. But this is often not the case.

Meal Types

When going on a trip, you should definitely know what types of food are available in hotels abroad, especially if the budget is limited. Let's focus on the eight main ones.

BB - bed and breakfast is one of the most popular types of food in hotels. Buffet style food, free drinks (tea, coffee). This option is perfect for those who want to have a quick breakfast in the morning and continue their journey, rather than wasting time looking for a cafe nearby.

Meal type at HB hotel is half board. Buffet for breakfast and dinner. Alcoholic drinks are notincluded, non-alcoholic only.

Another type of food in hotels is FB. This is a full board package including three buffet meals. Alcohol is not included, but some alcoholic drinks may be served at an additional cost.

FB+ means the same as FB, but some alcoholic drinks are available.

ALL is everyone's favorite type of food in hotels, not for the food but for the drinks. Buffet for all meals (sometimes an afternoon snack). Free local liquor. Other alcohol - for an additional cost or not at all.

AIL includes the same as ALL, only the choice of drinks and food is not so great. Some hotels may offer alcohol for an additional fee.

Another all-inclusive option is ALP. Meals are the same, but some alcoholic drinks, which are served at an additional cost under the ALL system, are free in this case.

UALL - the "ultra all inclusive" system, that is, the maximum choice: foreign alcoholic drinks, three meals a day, various sweets. Often the hotel has restaurants with multinational cuisine. And for dinner, customers can choose any of them on an all-inclusive basis. They don't have to pay extra for anything.

Deciphering the types of food in hotels will help you quickly find the right option.

No power

There are hotels that do not provide meals at all. RO - this is the name of this type of food in hotels. Decoding RO means room only, that is, only a room. Most often, these letters can be seen in the offers of hostels or hotels, where the price per room is quite low. In some cases, it is possible to eat for an additional fee, but usually this is only breakfast. This question should be clarified at the time of booking.

Features of food

The most interesting question that arises when looking at the price of a hotel is: do I need to pay extra for food?

If the type of food is "boarding" or "all inclusive", then meals are already included in the price. Usually this option is offered if you have your own kitchen or restaurant.

In mid-level hotels and above, the price is indicated with breakfast, most often it is a buffet. Although sometimes it may not be included in the cost of living. Therefore, you need to first discuss the issue of food, because it can be paid at the same time as the room. Paying locally is often significantly more expensive.

Kitchen in hotels

To save on food, you can choose the option with a kitchen and cook yourself. For example, many hostels have a kitchen with the necessary set of utensils and household appliances. In addition, dishwashing detergents, tea, coffee, sunflower oil, sauces are provided. Often, the guests themselves leave some of the food so as not to take it back.

Products do not have to be purchased at a nearby supermarket. In many mini-hotels, the refrigerator is filled with food. For a fee, guests can use them for their own needs, and the quantity is notlimited. It's quite comfortable, looks like home and is not too expensive.

However, a hotel room with a kitchen is a great option for those who stay in it for a long time, at least for a week. If only for a couple of days, then you need to calculate whether it is profitable to buy products in order to cook something from them two or three times.

Meals vary by resort

It is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the country and the resort. For example, if it is Turkey or Egypt, then full board and all inclusive is best. After all, the food in the hotel restaurant is adapted for customers. The hotels have, of course, local dishes, sweets, but you can always find the usual food.

Those who took, for example, half board, claims to have spent significantly more money. And although local cafes often offer dishes familiar to us, judging by the reviews, European dishes are not very well prepared in the East. In addition, many do not like the local cuisine because of the unusual taste and abundance of spices.

If we are talking about Europe, then you can take only breakfast. Most often they offer continental and it is included in the price. Other meals in European hotels are not very varied. And, for example, lunch or dinner costs a little less than in a cafe outside. In addition, alcohol is not included, and its cost is the same as in the bars of the city. But if you do not want to look every day for a place to dine, of course, it is better to take food at the hotel.

Is it always worth taking breakfast?

First of all, you need to know whichbreakfast is offered. If this is a buffet, then for many it is very convenient, because you can choose food from several proposed options.

Here you also need to consider the category of the hotel. Because they offer a rather modest selection of dishes (sausages, 2-3 types of cheese and ham, bread, hot drinks, juice). In others, on the contrary, there is a huge selection of food, and some dishes are even prepared at the request of the client.

If the hotel itself offers a certain type of breakfast, it may not be to everyone's liking. After all, in this case it will not be possible to change something. Fortunately, many ask about the guest's preferences beforehand. For example, a customer can choose between scrambled eggs and porridge or honey and jam.

Types of breakfast

Hotels where you can choose a certain type of breakfast, be sure to indicate this. Many of the travelers are often confused about what is included in each of them. Therefore, consider a few basic ones:

Continental - croissant (maybe another bun), several types of jam or honey, tea, coffee, cream.
English - tea or coffee is brought to the room. They offer scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs and other egg dishes, bacon, sausages, buns, jam, honey, toast, cereals, cereal with milk.

Expanded is similar to the continental, only the choice of sausages and cheeses is larger, there is also yogurt, cereal, cottage cheese, juice. Buffet system.
American - a large selection of drinks: fresh, compote, drinking water with ice cubes, cereal, pie, some meat.