Meals at the hotel are an important point when planning a vacation. However, the large number of varieties of this service greatly complicates the choice. Explaining and translating the abbreviations used in vouchers can make finding the perfect holiday destination much easier.

Types of food in hotels (decoding and translation of generally accepted abbreviations are presented below) are of 8 types:

Name International

reduction

 Translation Description
Only Bed O.B. Accommodation only The guest paid only for the room. Organization and delivery of food is not provided. Sometimes the abbreviations RO or Room Only, RR or Room Rate, AO or Accommodation Only are used
Bed and Breakfast BB Bed and Breakfast In addition to the apartment, the guest paid for the morning meal
Half Board HB Half board The visitor is fed 2 times. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are served only in the morning
Half Board + HB+ Extended half board The guest is provided with 2 meals a day and local drinks.
Full Board FB Full board Meals are taken 3 times. Hot and cold drinks are served in the morning and/or afternoon.
Full Board plus FB+ Extended or full board The visitor is provided with 3 meals a day and drinks, which are served directly during the meal. Another name for this scheme is Extended Full Board (ExtFB)
All Inclusive Al, ALL All inclusive The price includes main and additional meals, regional drinks.
Ultra AIl Inclusive UAI, UAL Ultra all inclusive Similar to All Inclusive. The only difference: along with local drinks, foreign drinks are served
Deciphering the types of food in hotels. 11 types

In America, a slightly different classification has been adopted. However, in essence it is similar to the global one.

Types of food in hotels (decoding and description of abbreviations used in the USA are presented in the table below) are of 5 types:

Name Reduction International analogue Description
European Plan E.P. R.O. Only accommodation is paid
Bermuda Plan B.P. BB A hearty late breakfast is included in the package.
Continental Plan C.P. BB Breakfast is included in addition to your stay
Modified American Plan MAP HB Guest pays for accommodation and breakfast with lunch
American Plan AP FB In addition to the room, 3 meals a day are paid for

Power RO

The guest has the right to use his own room. However, to eat, he will have to go to the nearest cafe or restaurant. This situation has its pros and cons.

The first includes:


Among the disadvantages of RO are:

  • Relatively expensive.
  • Inconvenience. Finding the nearest cafes and restaurants takes a lot of effort and time. The same goes for organizing your own cooking.
  • In some regions, the public catering system is very poorly represented, or there is no opportunity to go to any restaurant or bar. For example, in Egypt or the Maldives.

This option is more suitable for active tourists who want to completely immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a particular place. It will also be appropriate for short-term trips or business trips, when attending conferences or seminars. For lovers of a quiet holiday who want to completely relax, it is better to stay in a hotel where visitors are fed.

Meals BB (Breakfast only)

In addition to accommodation, the price of the tour includes meals. This option is good for short business trips or excursion-filled tours. Naturally, the region should have an extensive network of various catering facilities.

Breakfast can be different: from light continental to buffet. Sometimes there is a brunch with cold appetizers, pastries and drinks. A variety of salads, soups, cheeses and hot dishes can be served.

This model is used in large chain hotels. But most often, B&Bs are small family hotels with 4-12 rooms. In some cases, the owners live in the next wing of the inn. They will most likely be engaged in cooking.

Therefore, the type and quality of breakfast depends solely on the imagination and culinary abilities of the owners. Often such hotels are organized in interesting places: picturesque cottages, farms, lighthouses, decommissioned yachts and airplanes.

In concept, they are very close to the now popular boutique hotels. These varieties are most relevant in the USA, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia.

Meals HB (Half board)

The HB designation on the voucher means eating in the morning and evening. Very rarely, the latter option is replaced for lunch (for example, in the UAE). This type of food is mainly practiced in 3 or 4 star hotels.

Local drinks are served in the morning. At other times you will have to pay extra for them. Service is organized in the form of a buffet or carried out by waiters. You should specifically focus on breakfast and dinner.

The first usually takes place from 7.30 to 10.00 and consists of:


Sometimes the following may be served:

  • meat dishes (sausages, sausages, fried bacon, chicken thighs and breasts, various chops and schnitzels);
  • fish (salted or baked as part of a Scandinavian breakfast);
  • salads, vegetables, fruits.

Drinks include water, juices, milk, tea, coffee. Alcohol usually costs extra.

If the service is carried out according to the “a la carte” principle, then the menu will be less varied, but more refined. For example, beef tartare, grilled pepper shrimp, crab cake. In this case, the guest is provided with a list the day before, from which he chooses what he will eat. However, this variety is extremely rare.

As for dinner, it is usually held at 18.00 – 20.00.

If the service system is a buffet, then the following will be presented there:

  • salads;
  • cold snacks;
  • hot dishes;
  • several types of side dishes;
  • desserts, pastries and bread.

Drinks are not served (with rare exceptions - water, juices, tea, coffee).

The menu in the restaurant is more healthy and interesting. For example, fried shrimp with coconut sauce or chicken breast with salsa sauce and crispy croutons. Most likely, you will have to take care of drinks in advance or pay for them additionally. Although, in some restaurants, when ordering two or more main courses, alcohol is provided as a compliment. Most often these are dry white wines.

Half board is suitable for tourists who come for a short time and want to be independent of the schedule.

Instead of lunch, they will prefer active recreation, staying on the beach or exploring local cuisine at a nearby restaurant. Each guest will be able to manage their free time at their own discretion. Choosing HB will allow you to save money and significantly diversify your vacation without being tied to a hotel.

Meals HB Plus (Half board +)

The plus in the name does not mean that lunch or afternoon tea is included in the price. He says that the tourist package includes locally produced drinks: hot, cold and alcohol, which are served with every meal.

Half board is perfect for anyone who wants to include cocktails and beer in their holiday without overpaying. The model is very similar to All Inclusive, but costs several times less. However, HB Plus is quite rare, because in hotel business It is much more profitable to work according to the “All inclusive” scheme.

Meals FB (Full board, Extended board)

The cost of this service includes accommodation and 3 meals a day. Hot drinks and juices are served in the morning. During the day and evening there will be only water on the tables. You will have to pay extra for other drinks. There are boarding houses with 4 meals a day. But they are extremely rare. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify everything in advance and agree with the hotel administration or tour operator.

Service can be provided in two forms: buffet or waiters. Despite the apparent lack of variety, in the second case there is a chance to get more original, high-quality dishes compared to the first option. The menu depends on the area and specifically on the hotel administration. Most often it is similar to half board with an additional meal.

This model is ideal for lovers of passive recreation who want to explore local drinking establishments on their own, or who practically do not drink alcohol.

Plus, FB is much cheaper than All Inclusive. And multiple meals completely free tourists from wasting money, time and nerves on preparing food. And vice versa, for lovers active rest It is better to choose a room with breakfast or half board.

Meals FB Plus (Full board +, Extended board +)

This item is completely similar to the previous one, except that guests are provided with local drinks during meals. Sometimes they are available 24 hours a day. This variety is relatively rare, because it is unprofitable in comparison with the same All Inclusive.

It happens that guests are given unlimited access only to certain types of drinks. This question should be clarified with the manager travel company

Meals All inclusive

Types of food in hotels, explanation of names, differences between specific types, features in individual countries are different. A distinctive feature of All inclusive is that it provides main and additional meals. Moreover, guests have access to locally produced alcohol, hot and cold drinks.

Often, the purchased travel package includes:

  • animation
  • visiting the sauna, massage room, SPA salon;
  • tennis court;
  • aquapark;
  • bonus trip to restaurants at the hotel complex.

All inclusive is not so much a type of food as a standard of service. Currently, hotel owners are coming up with more and more new types of this scheme.

Here are some of the examples:

  1. AI. Light. Includes multiple meals and unlimited access to locally produced drinks until 11 p.m.
  2. Royal AI. Paid for 3 meals, brunch, afternoon snack, extra dinner, night soup.
  3. AI hard. Allows you to use some services: yoga or surfing lessons, gym, sauna or massage.
  4. Select AI. The guest has the opportunity to visit from 1 to 12 specialized hotel restaurants (meat, fish, Italian, French) for free.
  5. MAI (Maxi All Inclusive). An additional service package was paid for, which does not cover the use of the telephone, trips to the laundry, services of the first aid station and shops.
  6. HCAL (Highclass All Inclusive). Fine cuisine and the opportunity to use the hotel services for free.

The All Inclusive concept is suitable for families with children and people who have worked very hard and would like to relax as much as possible. In some countries this type of food is the only one possible option. This may be due to climate, an underdeveloped economy, or social instability.

Examples include Egypt, Algeria, Kenya, UAE, Cuba, India, Goa, Tunisia. Here, hotel complexes can act as small towns with their own infrastructure: shops, hairdressers, dry cleaners, cinemas.

In Europe with her rich history and a large number of attractions, there is no point in overpaying to spend your entire vacation in a hotel. It is better to avoid All Inclusive for active tourists who do not plan to stay for a long time, and for people going on short-term business trips.

UAI meals (Ultra all inclusive)

This is a more expanded version of the previous type.

Purchasing such a travel package implies the following privileges:


That is why there are so many varieties of All Inclusive. For example, the concepts Premium All, Elegance All, Super All, Imperial All differ from each other only in the quantity and type of free services provided.

Who should choose this type of holiday:

  • Families with children who are very picky eaters. After all, the presence of a children's menu, a wide variety of dishes and unlimited access to sweets and ice cream will allow you to feed any child.
  • For guests who plan to spend a significant portion of their time at the hotel or on the beach.
  • If the hotel complex is remote from big cities, shopping centers or a cafe.

Conversely, if it is located in a busy historical or shopping area, then it makes sense to choose a simpler scheme to save money on visiting interesting attractions.

Types of breakfasts in hotels

Types of food in hotels, explanation and description of the main types of breakfasts are given in the table below:

Breakfast type International

reduction

 Translation Explanation
Continental Breakfast CBF, CB Continental It includes coffee, juices, tea, croissants, pastries and toast. They are served with milk, chocolate, jams, and butter. May also include omelettes, boiled eggs, cereals, fruits, cold cuts and cheeses, cottage cheese, yogurts
American Breakfast ABF, AB, CA American It is an extended version of the continental one. Sometimes fried or baked meat, poultry, fish, pies, and vegetable salads are served
English Breakfast E.B. English In addition to hot and cold drinks, it includes scrambled eggs, special sausages or blood sausage with baked tomatoes, beans, bread and mushrooms, boiled potatoes and cabbage. Products can be replaced with more universal ones, or, conversely, supplemented with national dishes. Then, the voucher will indicate that it is a Scottish, Irish, Welsh or Cornish breakfast
Brunch dinner+ ВD+ Late breakfast Very often practiced in resorts in Austria and Switzerland, where late breakfast turns into early lunch. Soups, hot dishes of meat, poultry or fish, desserts can be served

Buffet at the hotel, what is it and what are the advantages?

This is the most democratic type of service in public catering. It is very popular in hotels of any class. It is essentially a self-service option where diners choose what they want to eat.

The number of meals is not limited.

The only rule: You cannot take food outside the restaurant. Drinks are either served on adjacent tables or served automatically from special devices. Alcohol is most often poured at the bar or served by waiters.

The undoubted advantage of the buffet is the variety of choice, which allows you to satisfy even the most demanding requests.

Meals a la carte

There are 2 varieties of this food model - in both, visitors are served by waiters.

In the first case, the night before or during breakfast, the guest himself chooses from the proposed menu what he will eat. Next, the order is sent to the kitchen.

In the second case, we mean restaurants at hotels with an all-inclusive system. This is a great alternative for anyone who is tired of the buffet. Such hotel complexes guests are invited to visit various restaurants for free: French, Italian, Japanese, fish, meat. This can be done one or more times by first registering with the administrator.

The advantage of this type of service is that the dishes here are more interesting, healthy and original. The disadvantages include the lack of a wide choice compared to the buffet.

Baby food in hotels

When planning a vacation with a child, you should carefully study and consider baby food. After all, a situation may arise when, upon arriving at the hotel, to the joy of the baby and the horror of the parents, it turns out that the main part of the menu is fast food. Therefore, you should discuss this issue with the tour operator.

Ideally, the hotel should have special dietary or children's meals. If they are not available, then it may make sense to order an individual menu for an additional fee.

Also, during your trip, you should not overuse local or exotic cuisine, which can cause health problems for your child or simply not appeal to him. It is best to find a type of food that will feature mostly familiar European dishes.

Before the trip you must:


Recommendations will help tourists choose the most optimal of all types of food in any hotel. After all, analyzing these incomprehensible symbols will help you avoid getting into trouble and keep only pleasant memories of your trip.

Article format: Vladimir the Great

Video about food types in hotels

Explanation of food type designations in hotels:

Accommodation

Of course, the service is different in many countries. However, there are standards according to which the tourist is required to provide all the services for which he paid. The all-inclusive system means a room with all amenities. The rooms must have a bathroom, bed linen, a place to rest, dishes and bath accessories. This system assumes only what is in the room. With all inclusive it is a completely different story. It assumes that the hotel, in addition to in-room amenities, has a swimming pool or sauna, as well as a restaurant and recreational and entertainment areas. Of course, not all hoteliers are honest with guests and tourists, so they often attribute to themselves something that is not really there. That is why before buying a tour, you need to check the availability of all services.

Service

These two types of holidays differ in the range of services. With all inclusive, you cannot use the bar for free (or the list of drinks is limited) or visit beauty salons and spas, but according to the rules of all inclusive, all this is provided for free.

Nutrition

Quality is a very important factor that distinguishes all inclusive from all inclusive. Both of these systems include a buffet and drinks. However, according to the first system, food and drinks are provided to guests only during breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you are traveling to a hotel with a second system, the bar and buffet should be freely available throughout the day. On Russian resorts both of these concepts are very blurred, so hoteliers take advantage of this and change the names, hoping to deceive tourists. There is no uniform rule for services regarding the number of dishes and their types. For example, at lunch you will have several buffets with a variety of side dishes, and during the day they will serve burgers and fries, this will also be all inclusive.

Especially if you are traveling to distant overseas countries, where you don’t particularly want to eat at local eateries. Any trip, business, tourist or recreational, implies a choice comfortable hotel. So that you don’t have a question about what NV power is, we suggest you take a closer look at the system.

All famous and not so famous hotels have special designations for rooms and meals. You are planning to vacation in an unfamiliar country, choose a hotel based on the stars, and then you come across a strange abbreviation next to the “Food” column: NV. The question is asked by thousands of tourists choosing a tour for the first time.

Types of food

Most often they are indicated in English (international) language or in an abbreviated version. All hotels adapt to generally accepted standards, so memorize the abbreviations in advance, and you will be able to navigate them as an avid traveler, and you will tell newcomers who want to go to a particular hotel what NV, BB food means.

BB, or Bed & Breakfast

Basically it translates to "bed and breakfast". It is understood that you will only be provided with a morning meal, which was initially included in the tour price. For the rest you must pay an additional fee at the restaurant. As a rule, a buffet is offered. This means that you yourself go to a large set table on which dishes are laid out, and put them in the quantity you need.

The type of food, which involves only a morning meal and overnight stay, is most often found in European small hotels and small resort towns, and also in those places where the main emphasis is on sightseeing tourism. This is convenient if excursion program is scheduled for the whole day, that is, you leave the hotel early and return only late in the evening.

What's on offer for breakfast?

The food at the NV hotel is more complete, but if you want to save money, let’s take a closer look at the BB menu. These are a wide variety of sandwiches, stewed and fried vegetables, snacks on tartlets and unleavened bread, canapé sandwiches, fried pieces of meat or chicken wings, various salads and desserts. Also tea, water or coffee are free drinks. You will have to buy alcohol, cocktails and juices at your own expense. NV nutrition - what is it? You will read about this further.

HB (Half Board), FB and AL

If you don't like the idea of ​​just breakfast and want to eat two meals a day, then you should consider a system called "Nutrition NV". "What is this?" - you ask. The abbreviation translates as "half board". You eat twice for free. Most often this includes only breakfast and dinner. Other hotels may offer breakfast and lunch, although this is not particularly encouraged. Hotels in the UAE offer to replace dinner with lunch.

Drinks are offered free of charge only in the morning. Usually this is coffee, tea and water. You will have to pay for drinks at lunch or dinner. If a bottle of alcohol is left unfinished, it is served the next day with the evening meal. What else is convenient when choosing the HB system? You don't have to pay for drinks every time. It's simple - you tell the waiter your room number, and the bill is provided after you check out of the hotel.

Who will like HB? Most often, this type of food is found in 3* or 4* hotels. This is ideal for travelers who come to relax for a short time, and will also appeal to those who prefer to go to a restaurant for lunch. If you spend all day on the beach and enjoy sunbathing, choose a hotel with HB meals. At lunchtime you can have something to eat on the beach, and you don’t really feel like eating at midday. A light salad in the afternoon or snacks, a glass of local beer will help save money and take care of your figure, because usually more hearty and satisfying dishes are served for lunch.

FB, AL - this is Full Board and we have already figured out what NV power and BB mean. Full Board - this includes a full three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Drinks offered for lunch or evening dinner are not included in the price.

All inclusive has the same meal plan as full board. That is, breakfast, lunch and dinner are given to you by the hotel for free. Additionally, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served, mainly from local producers. What food NV, BB and AL means is known, and you can choose your place of residence. But there is another category, more elite - UAL.

UAL or Ultra All Inclusive

Translated as "ultra all inclusive". This also includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Locally produced alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are also served with imported ones. Various free services may be provided at the discretion of the administration.

English and continental breakfast

After we have figured out what BB, NV, AL and UAL nutrition means, let's move on to traditional breakfasts. Some hotels may offer tourists English, American or Continental.

1. English breakfast. Made in the ancient traditions of England. A full set of dishes includes juice (orange or any other fruit), scrambled eggs with slices of ham (in some hotels an omelette is used instead), aromatic toast fried to a crisp. They come with butter and fruit jam. Drinks, of course, include tea or coffee.

2. Continental breakfast. More simple and modest than English. Serve a bun with butter or jam with coffee, juice or tea.

3. brought to the table different kinds sausages and cheeses (sliced), hot sausages, as well as scrambled eggs, coffee, tea, water or juice.

Whatever one may say, “all inclusive” is a convenient type of vacation. I bought a tour - you can fly almost without money. They will feed you, give you something to drink, and take you to the hotel. Although the all inclusive system is different countries varies - and it happens that after the Turkish diversity, tourists are dissatisfied with the modest choice of all inclusive in Jordan.
Read and remember how all-inclusive works in different countries. Now you will know exactly what to prepare for and will not be disappointed.

All inclusive in Greece


Nutrition. Healthy - a lot of fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits, which are brought to hotels directly from the garden. Sliced ​​tomatoes and cucumbers do not have time to turn into a sour salad - the waiters serve fresh dishes on time. The cuisine is mainly Greek. There is fish and meat. Hotels do not always have a buffet - most often it is a menu with a choice of 3-4 main courses. There is always something for vegans and vegetarians to enjoy. The higher the hotel category, the greater the choice of dishes.
In the most expensive Greek hotels (where the price starts from 250,000 rubles per tour) with all inclusive meals they offer a unique service. It's called dining out: you can dine at any local tavern outside the resort for free.
Animation. There are no noisy parties and daily entertainment by the pool. You can count on live music and shows on the weekends.
Additional services. Sun loungers and pools are free only if the hotel is located on the first line with a private beach. Spa treatments, massages, meals in a-la carte restaurants are rarely included in the all-inclusive price. You will have to pay extra for additional options - for example, for a children's potty (it is considered disposable). In Greece you will have to pay for everything that is done by hand in front of you.
To take or not to take all inclusive? Don’t take it - it’s better to have breakfast or half board, so as not to be tied to the hotel. But even if you only plan beach holiday, then it’s better to eat in local taverns: Greek local kitchen tasty, aromatic and inexpensive. During a week of rest, you can try many different dishes and never repeat them.

All inclusive in Turkey


Nutrition. In 90% of Turkish hotels there is a free buffet with salads, main courses, desserts, and snacks. Locally produced alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the price; you will have to pay extra for well-known brands of alcohol. Hot dishes - meat, fish, grilled sausages - are given out in portions, the rest can be taken at the common table. Drinks are provided by the bartender.
Some hotels have an “ultra all-inclusive” system: this is 24-hour service, meals at any time of the day, foreign-made drinks. To correspond to this type, hotels must have several restaurants (including a la carte, all free), a large area, and heated swimming pools.
Animation. Even the simplest hotel has entertainment by the pool. These could be performances by dancers, a bartender show, juggling with torches, competitions for children and drunk adults, or a regular disco.
Additional services. 4-5* hotels may have water parks for children - visits are included in the tour price. Spa treatments usually cost extra. Sun beds and umbrellas on the beaches are most often paid.
To take or not to take all inclusive? Definitely yes. Nourishing, plentiful, tasty and economical. Yes, finding a tour to Turkey without all-inclusive is quite a quest.

All inclusive in Tunisia


Nutrition. Usually 3-4 meals a day, the restaurant is not open 24 hours a day. Hotels may have bars and a-la carte restaurants, where meals are not included in the price. The variety of dishes is not as great as in Turkey. Soft drinks are free, but you have to pay for alcohol. Some hotels in Tunisia use plastic cards instead of bracelets: drinks and meals are issued using barcodes, and there should be a break of 5-7 minutes between servings of alcohol.
Animation. Water aerobics in the pool, evening shows, children's club - free. Activities on the beach - jet ski, parachute, banana - for a fee.
Additional services. Thalasso, balneo and spa treatments are paid separately. Some hotels offer free steaming in the hammam. Sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach are free, but towels may be charged.
To take or not to take all inclusive? Take. Eating outside hotels is usually more expensive. Plus, the variety of dishes on the Tunisian buffet is almost as good as the Turkish one.

All inclusive in Cyprus


Nutrition. Small selection of dishes, often drinks are not included in the price. The buffet is a lot of vegetables and meat (meatballs, kebabs, souvlaki and cutlets), but not enough fish. All fish dishes and seafood are prepared from frozen raw materials. There are also the ubiquitous snacks: French fries, burgers, nuggets. The choice of dishes is limited, every day they serve the same thing, changing 1-2 dishes.
Animation. If animation is announced, then it can be karaoke, discos, show programs and competitions by the pool, water aerobics - everything is like in Turkey.
Additional services. Drinks and food between meals, dry cleaning, and laundry are paid separately. Sun beds and umbrellas are usually paid for, because... The beaches are mostly municipal.
To take or not to take all inclusive? Take it if you are on vacation with children and do not plan to travel around the island. Take half board if you don’t want to be tied to the hotel. Eating outside of hotels is expensive, but you will still want to try local dishes in taverns. So breakfast and dinner are ideal.

All inclusive in Bulgaria


Nutrition. A definite plus is that all inclusive is available here, the dishes are familiar to us. Eating at a hotel is 2-3 times cheaper than going to a cafe every day. In a standard 4* hotel you will be served seasonal vegetables and fruits, 2-3 fish and meat dishes, several types of soups, ice cream, pastries, pancakes. Almost everywhere there is a children's menu. Restaurants are not open 24 hours a day, but only for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Alcohol is most often paid for, drinks outside the restaurant too.
Animation. Entertainment in hotels in Bulgarian is water aerobics and exercises by the pool. In 4-5* hotels there are entertainment shows in the evenings.
Additional services. With all inclusive bracelets you will be admitted for free private beach hotels (although there are few of them - mostly all beaches are municipal). If the hotel is simpler, you will have to rent sunbeds and umbrellas for money. It can be uncomfortable on the sand with your own towel: the beach all the way to the sea is equipped with sunbeds, forcing you to pay rent.
To take or not to take all inclusive? Take. Restaurants and cafes on Sunny Beach and Golden Sands are expensive, all-inclusive always pays off. Even if you don’t plan to stay in a hotel, we recommend half board - it will still be cheaper.

All inclusive in Jordan


Nutrition. Red Sea, 5* hotels, all inclusive - sounds very similar to Egypt. But no: this country is completely different, especially when it comes to food and service. In Aqaba hotels, the buffet system has a good selection of dishes: yoghurts, casseroles, omelettes, sliced ​​cheeses, sausages and vegetables, rice, potatoes, pasta, several meat and fish dishes. Chicken is the most popular meat. The most delicious desserts are fruit jelly and local halva. There is little fruit.
Please note: most hotels do not include drinks in the tour price. You'll have to pay for juices drinking water, alcohol. But you can fill your bottle with free water from the cooler.
Animation. There are practically no show programs, karaoke, or competitions. In the evenings in 4* and 5* hotels you will only be entertained by live music.
Additional services. It is uncomfortable to swim on the municipal beaches of Jordan - they are, after all, for locals. Therefore, almost all hotels organize transfers to private beaches (Tala Bay). There you will have to pay for umbrellas and sunbeds, unless you live on the first line of the beach.
To take or not to take all inclusive? Take. At least because tourism infrastructure has not yet been developed, it is problematic to eat in local cafes outside hotels.

All inclusive in Israel


Nutrition. As a rule, all inclusive means 3 meals a day, drinks at the bar are included in the price. The choice of dishes is usually large, but hotels don’t offer anything special to try - standard cereals, pasta, potatoes and several types of meat (mainly chicken and turkey). There are almost no fish. Lots of dairy products and yoghurts. You won’t find delicious desserts in a standard Israeli hotel - except maybe fruit. Drinks usually include liqueurs, beer, and packaged juices. Tourists are advised to take tea bags with them - there are problems with this.
Animation. Mainly designed for children. For adults there may be discos and music in the evenings.
Additional services. If the hotel has a private beach, then sunbeds and umbrellas on it are free. If not, you will have to pay. But no one is stopping you from lying down on your towel right on the sand.
To take or not to take all inclusive? Take it only if you are traveling with children. Don’t take it if you don’t have children and plan to go for a walk - in Eilat, Netanya, Tel Aviv there are many inexpensive cafes and street stalls with high-quality fast food. Catering on your own will be cheaper than at a hotel. Tastier and more varied.

All inclusive in the UAE


Nutrition. All inclusive in Arabic is a high-level service. Starched tablecloths, portioned dishes, drinks served in beautiful glasses. The amount of alcohol is usually limited. The waiters may well refuse another portion if they think you’ve already had enough. Local drinks are included in the price, imported drinks are paid separately.
Restaurants are only open for breakfast, lunch and dinner - there is no 24-hour food service here. If you need a snack during the day, then only for money. There is a large selection of dishes, but you will have to pay separately for delicacies (like lobster).
Animation. It practically never happens.
Additional services. UAE hotels often include free use of bicycles, boats, canoes, and sauna in their all inclusive package. You will have to pay for sun loungers on the beaches if the hotel is not on the first line.
To take or not to take all inclusive? Take it in all emirates except Dubai - there you can eat more varied and cheaper food in street cafes.

All inclusive in Spain


Nutrition. In resort European cities The hotel all inclusive is similar to a Turkish buffet with a large selection of dishes. Lots of fresh vegetables, fish, seafood, meat dishes. Vegetables are cut separately, sauces are placed separately - so that you can assemble your own salad. Ice cream, pastries, cakes, jelly - a wide variety of desserts. All local drinks are free while the bar is open. Food and drinks cannot be taken out of the restaurant.
Please note: there is a significant difference between FB and ALL meals in Spain. With full board, drinks are served free of charge only at breakfast, and during lunch and dinner you will have to pay. You cannot bring drinks into the restaurant, and the price for them in the hotel is raised 2-3 times.
Animation. There is practically no such event, except for discotheques and live music.
Additional services. Sun beds and umbrellas are free only on private beaches; on municipal beaches you will have to pay.
To take or not to take all inclusive? Take it to Mallorca and Tenerife - eating in local cafes there will be more expensive. On the Catalan coast you can easily get by with breakfast or half board. There are plenty of affordable cafes here serving mouth-watering local tapas, paella, fresh seafood and sangria - definitely worth a try!

All inclusive in Cuba and the Dominican Republic


Nutrition. Shrimp, crabs, mussels, fish of all kinds, grilled meat, fresh salads that are prepared in front of you, and tropical fruits - all this is all inclusive in the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Local rum, several types of imported drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails are included in the price. In 2-3* hotels there is a small selection of meat, but there is always seafood. If you are leaving on an excursion, you can ask the hotel for a packed lunch with sandwiches. Most often, food is available around the clock.
Animation. In Cuba there are discos, show programs, sports activities, and beach bars. In the Dominican Republic there is live music and exercise in the morning. The higher the star rating of the hotel, the more entertainment.
Additional services. Usually the price includes the use of equipment for water activities- canoes, boats, catamarans, fishing rods, snorkeling masks. Sun beds and umbrellas on private beaches are free. Towels are provided as a deposit.
To take or not to take all inclusive? Definitely take it! Eating out is more expensive, but the quality of the food is about the same.

"All inclusive" is a convenient system when you travel with children. Less costs, less risk, less whims. If during your trip you plan to go on excursions and spend a minimum of time at the hotel, choose half board.
In Asia, India, Indonesia, it is better to do without meals at the hotel or take only breakfast: it is cheap, tasty and interesting to eat on the street to get acquainted with the local culture. And in some countries, for example in the Seychelles, all inclusive is generally prohibited at the legislative level. So the government wants tourists to explore the country more and get out of hotels more often.

Meals at the resorts - BB, HB, FB, All Inclusive

“Healthy eating” is an important (and for many, the most important) component of a successful vacation. Alas, there are no standards that allow you to be sure that the chosen hotel will provide food to your heart's content, tasty and varied. Of course, any tourist today knows that most leave Turkish hotels having significantly improved, but the French are unlikely to give you such an opportunity. Although, in any case, the choice of dishes in a 5* hotel will obviously be higher than in a 3* hotel.

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Most often, types of food in hotels are designated in Latin letters (BB, HB, FB) - such abbreviations can be found both in the tour description and in the catalog where the hotels themselves are presented.

Ep, RO, BO, AO, OB (only bed)- without power
BB (bed end breakfast)- breakfast only (buffet)
Continental Breakfast - light breakfast consisting of coffee or tea, juice, buns, butter and jam
English breakfast - full breakfast, usually includes fruit juice, ham and eggs, toast, butter, jam, coffee and tea
American breakfast - analogue of a continental breakfast + various cuts (sausages, cheeses) and hot dishes (omelet, sausages)
HB (half board)- half board, breakfast and dinner (buffet), free tea, coffee, water for breakfast
HB+ (half board plus)- extended half board, breakfast and dinner (buffet). Locally produced alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
FB (full board)) - breakfast, lunch, dinner (buffet)
FB+ (full board plus)- full board, breakfast, lunch, dinner (buffet), and drinks during meals
Mini all inclusive- full board with local drinks not only during meals, but also in limited quantities throughout the day
AI (all inclusive)- all inclusive, breakfast, lunch, dinner (buffet), local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Also additional food
UAI (ultra All Inclusive)- meals throughout the day with a wide selection of dishes, including imported alcoholic drinks.
A la carte– a menu in which each dish is indicated with a price

Meals BB (Bed&Breakfast)

BB means the hotel only serves breakfast. Typically, this option is offered for sightseeing tours or business trips. Continental breakfast (usually this is what is served in 2*-3* hotels) is most often not rich, some thinly sliced ​​sausage and cheese, a bagel with jam, a small package of yogurt, coffee. If it is a buffet (known throughout the world as a buffet), then vegetable and fruit salads, several types of pastries, and boiled eggs are added. In high-level hotels you can already count on hot dishes, sausages and omelettes. Juice, which is usually poured from a machine, is also required at breakfast, but it almost certainly turns out to be a highly diluted concentrate.

It is important to note that in a hotel of any level breakfast is included in the price of your stay and it is impossible to refuse it. Usually breakfast is served no later than 7 am, but if a tourist leaves for the airport or on an excursion earlier, then the receptionist must be informed about this - they will serve breakfast early (though without a hot dish) or give him a lunch bag with him.

Power supply NV (Half-Board)

HB - half board, that is, breakfast and dinner, is the most popular type of food in almost all resorts, with the exception of Turkey, which loves to “include everything”. Breakfast in this case is usually a traditional buffet; dinner can be a buffet and a salad bar with some choice of hot dishes according to the menu. Any drinks in this case are paid (this also applies to plain water, if it is brought not in a jug, but in glass bottles) and are not cheap. True, if you order a bottle of wine at dinner and it is not drunk entirely, then it is left for the next days. There is no need to pay for drinks each time, you just need to tell the waiter the room number, and upon departure the receptionist will issue an invoice for all days (which is recommended to be checked carefully!).

Power FB (Full-Board)

FB is full board (three meals a day). Lunch, like dinner, in this case can be either a buffet or à la carte, but in any case, drinks during the day and evening are again paid separately. Given the opportunity to choose between “half board” and “board”, tourists usually choose the first, since in Spain, Greece or Cyprus, finding a good tavern near the hotel even in high season is not a problem. Unfortunately, it is not possible to replace a hotel lunch with dinner or vice versa in all hotels, although hotels in the UAE provide a similar service.

Sistama AL (All Inclusive)

All Inclusive "all inclusive" - ​​most common in Turkish resorts, in other countries it is much less common. In inexpensive hotels 2*-3* assumes the usual three meals a day with a standard choice of dishes and 1-2 bars that serve free tea and coffee throughout the day, mineral water, cola and local spirits.

The selection of local alcohol is the same everywhere: rakia grape vodka (in Turkish “raki”), which is drunk diluted with water, as a result of which it acquires a milky color, local cognac (konjak), a drink under the strange name VoTka, dry red wine in principle, not bad, but without any "frills" and, of course, national pride, Efes beer. Of course, in these hotels you can also order imported alcohol, but for an additional fee.

All other types of All Inclusive offered by Turkish hotels under the names “Ultra”, “Maximum”, “Imperial”, etc. provide almost round-the-clock food (and drinking, including imported alcohol). Tourists who find themselves in a Turkish “club” hotel can attend two consecutive breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and “late soup” after a disco during the day, and during the breaks enjoy sandwiches, pizza, ice cream and sweets.

The variety and choice of dishes here often exceed reasonable limits, the quality is excellent, especially since best hotels many dishes are prepared directly in front of you. If you wish, you can book a table in advance and spend the evening not at the general buffet, but in an Italian or Japanese restaurant located on the hotel premises. As for imported alcohol, the choice is usually limited to several types of whiskey, martinis, and gin. However, such hotels often warn that several types of elite alcohol (expensive cognacs, wines) are offered for an additional fee.

By the way, often in all-inclusive hotels you are asked to give the room number and sign on the receipt, even when ordering “free” alcohol. You shouldn’t be afraid of this; it’s just one of the forms of monitoring the work of waiters.

On excursion tours, when hotel accommodation is temporary, the following types are used:

- Continental Breakfast(Continental Breakfast) - light breakfast consisting of coffee or tea, juice, buns, butter and jam;
- English breakfast- full breakfast, usually includes juice, scrambled eggs, toast, butter, jam and coffee (tea);
- American breakfast- similar to a continental breakfast, includes a variety of cold cuts and hot dishes.
- "Buffet"- This is an organized free breakfast in many hotels around the world. It is included in the price of the room you occupy at the hotel.
this could be a fenced part of the restaurant, a special room. In the middle of the hall there is a table, which can be located along the wall of this room. Various foods are laid out on it: fruits, cottage cheese, juices, gastronomic snacks, hot dishes under a lid in special bowls, and packaged products in foil (butter, pates, jam, honey). And on a separate table or on the same table there are dishes and cutlery.

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