What is half board? What does a full board package include? What’s the difference between these meal plan options? You’ll find answers to these and more questions in our hands-on full board vs half board comparison! Since many travelers compare packages when booking a stay, it’s essential to make an informed decision based on the budget, itinerary, and dining preferences.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- Full board vs half board hotel meaning;
- Their pricing;
- Alternative meal plan options;
- Points to consider while choosing the right package.
Let’s get it started!
Full Board vs Half Board: What’s the Difference?
What is half board at a hotel? Who is full board best suited for? Let’s explore!
Definitions
First of all, we’re going to get down to the nitty-gritty of the compared packages.
What’s the half board meaning?
Half Board (HB) is a meal plan that includes:
- Breakfast – Typically a buffet with a variety of choices.
- One additional meal (usually dinner) – Often a set menu or buffet-style dining.
- Drinks may or may not be included, depending on hotel policy.
What is a half board main advantage? Since lunch is not included, travelers can visit local restaurants, try different cuisines, or grab a quick meal while sightseeing during the day.
💡 Best for:
- Travelers who spend the day outside the hotel.
- Those who enjoy trying local cuisine.
- People who don’t want to be tied to a strict meal schedule.
🔎 Example: A couple staying at a seaside resort with a Half-Board plan will enjoy breakfast at the hotel, take a guided tour, have lunch at a local beachside café, and return to the hotel for a relaxing dinner.
What’s the full board meaning?
Full Board (FB) is a more inclusive meal plan that provides:
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner – Usually served buffet-style or as a set menu.
- Drinks are generally not included, except for water, tea, or coffee during breakfast. Alcoholic beverages are usually extra.
💡 Best for:
- Travelers who prefer staying within the hotel or resort.
- Families with children who need convenient dining options.
- Guests who want to avoid extra meal expenses.
🔎 Example: A family staying at a mountain lodge with a Full Board plan will have all three meals covered. Thus, they don’t need to search for nearby restaurants.
🎁 Discover: 30+ Welcome Gift Ideas for Hotel and Vacation Rental Guests
Pricing
What does half-board mean in terms of pricing? It tends to be more budget-friendly than full board, as guests do not pay for lunch they may not use.
However, the price difference depends on the hotel and location:
- Budget hotels may offer half board at a small additional cost, while luxury resorts charge more for meal packages.
- Eating out can be costly in tourist-heavy destinations, making full board a cost-effective option.
- It’s worth noting that some hotels offer meal plan discounts for longer stays.
Bonus Tip: Compare the cost of having a meal away from a hotel versus the Full Board price to see if it’s worth it.
💻 Explore: How to Create a Direct Booking Short-Term Rental Website
Other Meal Plan Options
Aside from half-board and full-board, hotels offer various dining options. What is half board alternative?
Half Board vs All Inclusive
Let’s compare these meal plan options in a table:
| Feature | Half Board | All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Meals Included | Breakfast + Dinner | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Snacks |
| Drinks Included? | No | Yes (often includes soft drinks & alcohol) |
| Best For | Travelers who prefer dining flexibility | Travelers who prefer unlimited meals & drinks |
| Cost | Lower | Higher, but includes extras |
Key Differences:
- Half Board is more flexible.
- All-inclusive is more convenient, but the cost is higher.
Half Board vs Bed and Breakfast
How do they compare?
| Feature | Half Board | Bed and Breakfast |
|---|---|---|
| Meals Included | Breakfast + Dinner | Breakfast Only |
| Drinks Included? | No | No |
| Best For | Guests who want dinner included | Guests who want full freedom of dining choice |
| Cost | Medium | Lower |
Key Differences:
- Half board includes dinner, while B&B only covers breakfast.
- B&B is the most flexible option because you can dine anywhere for lunch and dinner.
💡 Discover: TOP 12 Bed & Breakfast Reservation Software
Choosing Between Full Board and Hotel Half Board: What to Consider
When deciding between half board and full board, consider these factors:
1. Trip Plan:
- If you plan to explore the city, visit attractions, or go on excursions, Half Board is the better choice.
- If you’re staying at a beach resort or don’t plan to leave the hotel much, Full Board ensures convenient meals.
2. Food Preferences:
- Do you like variety and trying local restaurants? Choose Half Board.
- Do you prefer set meals? Full Board is a better fit.
3. Budget Considerations:
- Half Board is a more budget-friendly option.
- A Full Board hotel prevents unexpected food expenses but may cost more upfront.
4. Travel Destination:
- In cities with many affordable dining options, Half Board makes sense.
- In remote areas or expensive tourist spots, Full Board can save money.
📊 Compare: Guesty vs Lodgify vs HostAway
How to Book the Best Meal Plan Online
What does half board mean for hoteliers? They can charge more for half-board packages compared to room-only or bed & breakfast.
Many travelers look for a seamless reservation process when booking a hotel. Hotels and vacation rental owners can offer guests an easy way to select their preferred meal plan directly on their website.
BNBForms is a versatile tool to enable online reservations on a website regardless of the CMS it’s based on!
Benefits of BNBForms for Online Bookings:
- Suitable for any website builder;
- Increased direct bookings;
- Get independent from OTAs or sync bookings across multiple channels;
- Automated bookings & email notifications;
- Secure payment processing options;
- User-friendly interface;
- Hassle-free booking management on the backend.
- Flexible pricing rates.
We’ve prepared step-by-step BNBForms guides for various CMS:
- Wix Booking
- Squarespace Booking
- Drupal Booking
- WordPress Booking
- Weebly Booking
- Shopify Booking
- Joomla Booking
- GoDaddy Booking
Conclusion
So, what is half board and full board? We’ve summed up their main distinctions in the table below:
| Feature | Half Board | Full Board |
|---|---|---|
| Meals Included | Breakfast + Dinner | Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner |
| Drinks Included? | Usually Not | Usually Not |
| Best For | Explorers & Foodies | Resort Stayers & Families |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
If you’re a hotel or rental property owner, a smooth online booking experience makes all the difference – whether guests prefer full board vs half board options. With BNBForms, it’s possible to increase direct bookings, give guests more control over their stay, and optimize revenue without relying on OTAs.
Sign up for BNBForms today and take control of your reservations!
