What is Half Board? The Ultimate Guide Hotel Board Packages

As a traveller booking and planning hotel stays, it can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing between packages without really understanding what they include.

What is half board, and why do some people choose it over full board? And why do hotels provide these different packages in the first place?

To make things easier for you, we’ve got a clear and easy rundown of what exactly half board is, and why some travellers prefer it over other board packages.

In this article, we’ll be covering:

• What exactly half board is, and the benefits that come with booking it
• The differences between full and half board
• Other types of board packages

Without further ado, let’s get into it!

What is Half Board?

“Board” refers to the number of provided meals that a hotel or resort includes during a guest’s stay.
Half board means that a hotel includes two meals every day—usually breakfast and dinner—which are typically served as buffet-style offerings.

By booking a half-board package, visitors are given the convenience of catered meals while still having the flexibility to explore the area during the day to enjoy local cuisine.

Benefits of Booking Half Board

Convenient

With two meals covered by a half board package, hotel guests won’t have to worry about sorting out all their food for the day – a task that can be especially difficult if they are unfamiliar with the area.

When breakfast is taken care of, they can freely explore the area on a full stomach. After a day well spent, they can then come back without worrying about where to eat for dinner.

Affordable

Half board is typically cheaper than ordering food from the hotel a la carte. For a traveller on a budget, it’s a great way to ensure that essential meals are covered at an affordable cost.

Flexible Setup

Although half board usually includes breakfast and dinner, most hotels keep it flexible and are happy to serve lunch instead of dinner. This is great for guests who may prefer to eat out for their evening meal.

Half board also gives guests the flexibility to eat outside the hotel and enjoy delicious local eats.

Stress-Free Excursions

Looking for a place to eat when travelling can be hard, especially when a visitor is new to the area.

Half-board hotels give guests the peace of mind that they won’t go hungry after a day out, even if they can’t find a good place to dine.

Differences Between Half Board and Full Board

Another popular board package is full board, where all three main meals are provided by the hotel.

Each type of package is suitable for different travellers, so here are the key differences between full and half board:

Price

Half board is a cheaper option for guests who are on a tighter budget.

However, since one meal isn’t covered by their reservation, they will have to shoulder that cost elsewhere.

In some instances – and depending on where they choose to eat – this can actually result in higher expenditure.

Guest Preference

A guest’s choice between full and half board will also depend on their plans during their stay.

For guests who intend to spend more time at the hotel, it makes sense to pay a bit more so that lunch is also included in their stay.

Meals Offered

While half board means that guests will have breakfast and dinner sorted, full board covers lunch as well – making it the most convenient option for guests who’d rather spend most of their time relaxing at the hotel.

What Are The Different Types of Hotel Board Packages?

All Inclusive (AI)

All Inclusive is exactly what it sounds like. Essentially, everything you’d want is included in the price; every meal, beverage, snack, and even most activities and entertainment are covered.

All-inclusive board packages are usually offered by resorts and luxury hotels where visitors prefer staying in and pampering themselves over leaving the hotel. 

This is an extremely convenient package as guests will already know how much their hotel stay will cost upfront.

Full Board (FB)

As discussed, full-board packages cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

This option is especially popular among guests who don’t want to deal with the hassle of planning their meals, but would also rather not pay the price of an all-inclusive package.

If the hotel is in an area where the local eats are slim pickings, full-board hotels are the way to go.

For a complete rundown of both full board and all inclusive, read our article Full Board vs All inclusive - What’s The Difference?

Half Board (HB)

By now you should already know that half board means that two meals are offered by the hotel—typically breakfast and dinner.

With this, guests can enjoy the flexibility and convenience of choosing where to eat for their third meal while knowing that two of their meals are already taken care of.

Bed and Breakfast (B&B)

Bed and breakfast refers to just that – a place to sleep, coupled with breakfast for guests to start their day. 

It’s ideal for travellers who are looking to spend their whole day out and about. They’ll have the opportunity to try the local cuisine while also enjoying the convenience of a morning meal before they set off.

Self Catering (SC)

With self-catering options, guests won’t be provided meals, but will have access to amenities needed to prepare their food. 

Typically, this option comes with a kitchen or kitchenette and features a microwave, hob, and fridge.

Room Only (RO)

The cheapest board option, room-only means that there won’t be any meals included with the stay. Guests will have to eat a la carte if they’re dining in the hotel.

The room-only option is ideal for travellers who want to explore the area they’re visiting and are happy to sort their food out for themselves.

In Conclusion

As you can see, half board is a convenient package for travellers who want the freedom of exploring and eating around the area. 

It’s also ideal for those who want to save money while not having to worry about planning two of their meals each day.

The wide range of board packages that hotels have on offer means that there’s something for every type of traveller, whether they’re travelling to try local eats or wanting to lay back and make the most of a relaxing stay!

Hotels offering multiple board packages gives guests a choice to tailor their experience to themselves and their family, which in turn should improve their experience overall.