Deciphering the types of food in hotels – RO, BB, HB, FB, AI, UAI
Healthy, wholesome and properly balanced nutrition is an important part of a great holiday. When planning a vacation, tourists should know how the types of food in hotels are deciphered – RO, BB, HB, FB, AI, UAI. Hotel complexes offer residents a wide range of varieties of diets, which are included in the cost of living. Explaining the meanings of intricate English abbreviations will allow travelers to decide what type of food will suit their tastes and preferences during their vacation. Some tourists like to go on long excursions and walks, other vacationers choose a quiet pastime on the beach or next to the pool. Hence, it is necessary to take into account the variety of types of food in the hotel, so that the rest leaves only pleasant impressions.
RO (no power)
The abbreviation RO (roomonly) means that the hotel provides visitors with apartments for accommodation without meals. Often, hotels that use such a system are equipped with small kitchens where guests can cook their own meals. The choice of this type of food allows tourists to significantly save the budget when purchasing a tour.
From this it follows that the care of daily cooking falls on the shoulders of vacationers. The RO power system has a number of positive features. She offers to get acquainted with the local culinary traditions and customs of street establishments of the country where you plan to spend your vacation. This favors a significant expansion of horizons, since hotels offer a standard European menu that does not differ in particular variety.
People are not dependent on specific meal times, so they are free to plan their outings while visiting the location's significant attractions. The RO option is ideal for those on a special diet. In the case of “roomonly”, vacationers will not have to change their gastronomic preferences.
BB (breakfast)
Meals on the BB system means providing accommodation at the hotel only with breakfast. Lunch and dinner are provided separately for an additional fee, which is not included in the tour price. Arriving guests at the hotel will enjoy an early buffet with a varied selection of dishes. Breakfast can include meat and dairy products, hot dishes and fish, vegetables and fruits, as well as pastries and tea/coffee.
The richness of the assortment depends on the star rating of the hotel and the specifics of the region where the hotel is located. If during the holidays tourists are planning a rich excursion program through the cozy streets of unfamiliar cities, then “bed&breakfast” will be a wonderful meal option. This eliminates the loss of missed and paid lunches and dinners.
HB (half board)
The abbreviation HB stands for half board. Half board assumes that hungry tourists will be fed in the morning and evening. The rate includes free breakfast and dinner. Lunches and alcohol are paid extra. Refreshing soft drinks, tea and coffee, as well as cereals, omelettes and fruits are served only in the morning. For dinner, more hearty dishes are served, consisting of meat, fish, salads, side dishes and desserts.
The variety of dishes depends on the category of the hotel. Half board is convenient for travelers who prefer to spend daytime outside the hotel area: relax on the sea coast, go on excursions, take walks around the city, explore local architectural and natural attractions. It is unlikely that there will be short-term visits to water parks, dolphinariums and museums.
With a “half board” vacationers do not risk missing a lunch meal. Moreover, at a hot time of the day, a traditional hot lunch may turn out to be inappropriate. It will be much more pleasant to enjoy fresh fruits or salads, which you can order in one of the cafes.
HB + (half board +)
There is an extended version of the “half board” power system. It provides for the inclusion in the price of the tourist package the cost of alcoholic and soft drinks. Half board + allows guests to cool off free of charge during the day with alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails of local production. “Half board plus” is beneficial for those who do not want to overpay for lunch and be content with various drinks.
FB (full board)
By choosing a hotel with an FB (Full Board) food system, tourists are freed from the worry of finding places where they can eat hearty and tasty. This is a full board, providing guests with breakfast, lunch and dinner at strictly regulated times. This option of a three-time diet is acceptable for those who prefer to eat at a certain hour, and are also supporters of rest without drinking alcohol. The Full Board program does not provide for the presence of alcoholic and non-alcoholic soft drinks in the diet. They must be paid separately.
Guests are offered a wide selection of dishes. The first meal of the day is often buffet style. Portions are not limited, which allows you to fully satisfy the hunger of every vacationer at your own discretion. Lunch and dinner are served according to the menu. For lovers of outdoor activities and excursions, FB will not be a profitable solution. This type of food is suitable for those who prefer to spend time on the territory of the hotel or on the beach.
AI (all inclusive)
The All Inclusive (Al) food system is the most popular among domestic tourists. Each hotel implies its own list of services under the All Inclusive food system. Depending on the star category of the hotel, Al may consist of three daily or multiple meals a day. In addition to a variety of dishes, tourists are offered an unlimited number of locally produced alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks around the clock.
By choosing AI, vacationers get rid of any difficulty in choosing their diet. A deep knowledge of foreign languages is not required so that tourists can express their wishes or requests when choosing culinary delights. Serving of dishes is organized according to the “buffet” system. The guests themselves lay on the plates any food they like.
For tourists who prefer to visit excursions and take walks, the All Inclusive type of food is rather uneconomical. AI will appeal to adherents of “lazy” rest, who do not want to immerse themselves in the local original environment and see its sights.
UAI (ultra all inclusive)
Ultra All Inclusive is a nutrition program with a wide selection of high quality food and drinks. Guests are given the opportunity to eat as many times a day as they wish at any time of the day or night. The cuisine is distinguished by a variety of dishes. Open access snacks, desserts and ice cream. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic products are included in the cost of the UAI system. Dinners are held in Ala Carte class restaurants located on the territory of hotel complexes.
The concept of customer service lies in a diverse self-service system. After all, sooner or later, tourists will get bored of satisfying their hunger at the buffet. Vacationers can dine in sophisticated surroundings and feel like part of a privileged society. Free serving of culinary masterpieces takes place in accordance with the menu.
It is worth noting that choosing a hotel with an Ultra All Inclusive type of food can negatively affect people suffering from alcoholism. Since UAI is the most expensive category of hotel services, vacationers should decide how often they will be away from the hotel.
Types of breakfasts in hotels
In modern hotel complexes, special attention is paid to breakfast. Delicious and hearty morning food has the beginning of a successful and prosperous day for the tourist. Active travelers who prefer to go on sightseeing tours can order food to go.
The following types of breakfasts are distinguished:
What is a buffet
The most popular and widespread option of hotel catering, which allows you to quickly, efficiently and appetizingly feed a large number of hotel residents at the same time, is a buffet. This method of service is used in numerous tourist complexes: from budget hotels to luxury hotels.
Buffet meals are included in the price of your stay. Dispensing counters serve a variety of ready-made dishes, the assortment of which depends on the star category of the hotel. The proposed dishes are able to satisfy any gastronomic preferences of the client. Snacks, salads, fruits, soups, side dishes, meat dishes, juices, pastries, vegetables, desserts and many other products are laid out in groups. Cutlery, plates and cups are laid out on a separate table.
Guests independently collect their favorite portion of dishes in the amount they need. For each dish, there are special spoons and grips, with the help of which vacationers place portions of food on their plates. Tourists can make as many approaches to the distribution tables as they like. Overfilling a plate is considered bad manners. The buffet food system does not involve taking food with you.
What is a la carte
Along with the buffet, most hotels have several of their own themed restaurants. These establishments offer guests to receive first-class service, according to the established menu. In the resort industry, such a food system is called “a la carte”. Its concept is that tourists can have a meal in a privileged environment, feel the care of the waiters and taste delicious delicious dishes of various national cuisines.
Guests will be offered an extensive selection of gastronomic masterpieces that are not served in ordinary establishments. The ticket price includes a certain number of restaurant visits. Due to limited seating, tables must be booked in advance.
The lack of access to food by strangers and the lack of queues near the stalls with dishes makes the type of food “a la carte” more attractive and comfortable than the buffet system. Each restaurant has its own themed “national character”. The interiors are decorated in the style of the country to which the kitchen is dedicated.