Let's figure out what a diet is like, which includes any of the systems. When choosing a hotel for vacation abroad, we pay attention to several factors: category, comfort, distance from the sea, cost, infrastructure and, of course, the type of food. And when the time comes to choose a hotel, we see incomprehensible letters in each of them: AI, BB, FB, etc. This is the generally accepted designation of types of meals in hotels, which we are currently deciphering.
RO (room only)
The price includes only accommodation, without food. Alternative abbreviations and designations that you can meet in different hotels: OB (bed only), AO (accommodation only). This system, as is known from the transcript, offers only a hotel room without food. The disadvantage is obvious - the problem of food is on the rise. But often in hotels of this type, the room is equipped with a small kitchen corner so that guests can cook for themselves. This type of food is also suitable for people who, according to medical indicators, follow strict diets or prefer to eat in a certain place. Or simply active tourists decided to see a lot of sights and stay in a hotel bought only for the night.
BB (bed and breakfast)
The accommodation price includes only breakfast, one meal. Hotels with this type of catering are suitable for business trips abroad, as well as independent tourists who like to go on excursions. Paying for 3 meals in such cases does not make sense - several meals are guaranteed to "burn". And lunch boxes, which can be requested, are not provided in every category of hotels, and they do not differ in particular variety.
There are 3 types of breakfast in hotels, each of which has its own designation and interpretation:
- continental breakfast (abbreviation CB or continental breakfast);
- English or, as it is also called, American (abbreviation AB, american breakfast);
- buffet table.
The first option is typical for inexpensive hotels with a small number of stars, and usually includes a croissant or a bun, a few thin slices of cheese and sausage, yogurt, tea or coffee. Much less common abroad, but worthy of attention is the American or English breakfast. The key difference from the "buffet" is that the hot dishes on the menu are only omelets with bacon or sausages. The buffet table is richer and more varied: muesli and cereals of several types, eggs, vegetables and fruits, various pastries are usually presented here. You can take products in any quantity, however, as a rule, take-out is not allowed.
HB (half board)
The price of staying at the hotel includes breakfast and dinner, which is used to denote half-board. Traditionally, breakfast + dinner, much less often meals in hotels according to this concept include breakfast + lunch or a choice. As a rule, after dinner, drinks are available for a separate fee. In the morning, the price includes only non-alcoholic tea, coffee, and water. This system is the most popular in European hotels. After eating well in the morning, you can limit yourself to a light snack or fruit at lunchtime. You can go for a walk without risking missing lunch at the hotel. However, this type of food in the hotel is unlikely to suit "owls" - the dining room is open until 10 a.m. at most, after which time all the food is removed. Please note that during dinner absolutely all drinks may be paid for - often even plain water. However, if you ordered a bottle of wine and did not "overcome" it in 1 evening, most hotels will leave it for you for the following days.
HB+ (half board plus)
A subtype of the standard half-board food system (breakfast + dinner), only depending on the hotel concept, guests can be served alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (locally produced) during meals. However, this food system is quite rare and it is difficult to find it on the tourist market.
FB (full board)
The price of accommodation includes full board: full 3 meals a day. The main difference of this type from the famous "all inclusive" system is that only non-alcoholic drinks are served for free for breakfast, and for lunch and dinner, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic, you need to pay extra.
FB+ (full board plus)
Similarly to the standard FB, hotel guests are included in the price of accommodation three times a meal and drinks during meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, of local production. It is also a rather rare food system, considering that it directly competes with the following all inclusives, which have regional affiliations to Turkey and Egypt.
AI (all inclusive)
The price of accommodation in the hotel is "all inclusive": breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks throughout the day, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks of local production. A true paradise for the lazy tourist who prefers to lie on the beach, drink and eat. You can drink food and drinks (locally produced) for free throughout the day (usually until 22:00 or 24:00). In addition, depending on the category of the hotel, the "All Inclusive" meal type may also include an afternoon or lunch with light snacks, pastries, in between the main meals. This system has many advantages, but there are also disadvantages. Yes, any more or less long absence from the hotel threatens to miss a meal. And if you decide to eat at a local restaurant, you will actually pay twice - for food in a hotel and a restaurant.
UAI, UALL (ultra all inclusive)
Everything included in the price is the same as in the standard all inclusive, used to denote the VIP option of the "all inclusive" system. This type of food is most popular in hotels in Egypt and Turkey. Other countries rarely provide such a service. The main differences from All Inclusive: free foreign alcoholic beverages during the day, dinner in A-la carte restaurants, high quality products. A-la carte restaurants are located on the territory of the hotel complex. As a rule, each such restaurant represents the cuisine of one or more peoples of the world: Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, etc. Dishes are selected from the menu, and guests are served by waiters. Keep in mind that choosing a UAI hotel catering system can have negative consequences for the category of people who have a craving for alcohol and do not know how to stop in time. In addition, "ultra all inclusive" is the most expensive of the systems. When choosing the type of hotel meals, consider how often and for how long you will be out of the hotel, calculate at least approximately how many meals you will miss. Based on this, try to choose the optimal power system for you abroad.
