All inclusive designation sign. Types of food in hotels - designation and interpretation
When purchasing a tour online from My Hot Tour, which has more than 60 offices throughout the Russian Federation, customers pay attention to various factors, including food in hotels, the designation and decoding of which require special consideration. Also, tourist franchise "My burning tour" - offers mutually beneficial cooperation on different conditions.
After all, looking through the information on the Internet, travelers may encounter a lot of unfamiliar designations and panic a little - bb, nv, sc, ao, bb, meal, dbl, aip, fbt ... What does it all mean? In fact, everything is simple - this is the classification of hotels by type of food. And if you know what all these seemingly gibberish symbols mean, you can understand which hotel is better to stay in and why.
Abbreviations AL, DD, OB, FB, HB and others are often used in tourism.
What they mean, how they are deciphered, what is hidden under these letters - this is our article.
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Buffet
This is a kind of serving dishes associated with the principle of self-service. The place for its placement has several tables or showcases where dishes are taken out.
Each corner is associated with a certain type of food - from salads to desserts.
Guests of the hotel can approach an unlimited number of times with cutlery and treat themselves to any food in the desired quantity.
As for drinks, they are served in each institution in different ways. They can be served by waiters, or vending machines are used for bottling juices, water, wine, beer, carbonated drinks.
There is a bar nearby where you can order cocktails, aperitifs or bottled drinks. It all depends on the hotel itself, organization, level and more specific type of food.
A la Carte (A-la carte)
The literal translation of such a serving of food is “menu”. The choice can be made based on the menu, and the servants help and serve. Establishments charge or do not charge a separate fee.
Most often they are visited freely one or more times with an unlimited number of food orders. Be sure to book in advance with the hotel administration.
As a rule, large hotel complexes include several different examples of such establishments on a national basis. Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, Mediterranean cuisines are very popular.
During the meal, visitors are often accompanied by live music and surrounded by the interior of the respective state.
Hotel without meals (RO, RR, OB, AO)
RO(only room, or room only) - stay without eating.
Alternative designations are OB(only bed - only a bed) and AO(accommodation only - only accommodation).
Such a system is associated with hotel accommodation without food.
Take into account: the rooms of such hotels are often equipped with kitchens for possible personal cooking. And this type of accommodation will be a good solution for adherents of a particular place or diet.
The most popular abbreviation today is RO(RO).
Catered accommodation (BB, HB, HB+, FB, FB+, Al, AIP, UAI)
Nutrition BB(bed breakfast - bed and breakfast). BB nutrition - what does it mean?
Translation from English gives a clear idea of its purpose. Living in this way, you count on the morning meal.
Often it is organized on the principle of a buffet and filled in accordance with the hotel level of the location. So, the European BB will lose in terms of the abundance of dishes to the variant or Turkey.
Eating so optimally on business trips or for active tourists, when it makes no sense to pay for basic meals, they simply - simply “burn out”. And possible lunch boxes will not appeal to everyone.
Nutrition HB(half board - half board). HB food - what is it?
In English, “half board”, translated as half board - some tourists, without hesitation, are looking for a half board on the Internet - means the following: the presence of morning and afternoon (breakfast and lunch), or morning and evening (breakfast and dinner) meals with unlimited the number of approaches. Any non-alcoholic drinks are already included in the price, and alcohol is paid immediately or delivered to the room.
It is worth noting: this type of food is fraught with "owls" that they can miss the time of the morning meal, and is suitable for those who probably want to return to the hotel only in the evening. Dinner after a busy day will help restore strength.
Nutrition HB+(half board plus - half board plus). It is often asked, half board - what kind of food and what is the difference from half board plus? The main difference from the usual half board is the inclusion of local alcoholic drinks in the free service point.
Nutrition Facebook(full board - full board). Food is provided three times a day on a buffet basis. Alcohol is not given out freely. An exception is a glass of sparkling wine in luxury hotel complexes. Desired drinks come with a separate price during the evening meal.
Nutrition Facebook+ (full board plus - full board plus) close to the category FB (FB). The only thing is that this subtype allows the free use of alcohol produced in the country where the hotel is located.
Nutrition FBT(Full Board & therapy - full board and treatment). Meals fbt is used at medical resorts and denotes meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and additionally indicates that treatment is included in the price.
Nutrition AI(all inclusive - all inclusive). Food options are designated as follows, where the main thing is multiple meals - from three times to "infinity" per day of various configurations.
Any alcohol produced in the state of the hotel location is allowed without restrictions, and imported drinks are consumed freely in hotel complexes of a certain level.
Consider: such a system is certainly attractive, but it is better not to skip meals with it - then you will have to pay twice.
Nutrition AIP(all inclusive premium - "all inclusive premium"). This type is organized infrequently, it is close to AI, it is only richer in the assortment of alcoholic options.
Nutrition UAI(ultra all inclusive, UALL - ultra all inclusive). Here the principle of unlimited consumption of food every day in restaurants and bars is triggered, snacks are supposed to be between main meals. Visitors have the right to freely consume foreign-made alcohol, and the quality of products is higher than in other systems. Most often, this VIP option is practiced in hotels in Turkey and Egypt.
Choosing the type of food, therefore, should be guided by the frequency and amount of time spent away from the hotel. This will determine the optimal food consumption system for you!
Watch the video explaining the types of food in hotels:
Many tourists look through the offers of various hotels before going on vacation and come across incomprehensible abbreviations for food forms. And they often ask the question: “What does RO nutrition mean?” Which is not surprising, because offers with this designation are the most profitable.
What is RO Nutrition?
The abbreviation "RO" stands for Room Only, which means "only a room." It follows that the hotel offers room service only, and meals are completely excluded. Probably the hotel does not have a kitchen. Or the hotel has its own cafes and restaurants, but you can eat there only at your own expense. In addition, no one guarantees you availability in them, especially during peak hours. The hotel completely relieves itself of the obligation to provide a free RO service - this is an independent care for your diet.
A number of other designations can also have a similar meaning, for example, OB (Only Bed) or AO (Accommodation Only). For a correct understanding of all the abbreviations encountered, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with their decoding.
Food system in hotels
RO power system | Lack of power |
|
OV power supply system | ||
NA power system | ||
AO Power System | Accommodation only |
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EP Power System | ||
BB Power System | Disposable food. Breakfast only |
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BT Power System | Breakfast & therapy | Disposable food and care. Breakfast and treatments |
HB power system | Double meals. Breakfast and dinner |
|
HB+ Power System | Two meals a day with drinks. Breakfast, dinner and local spirits |
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HBT Power System | Half board & therapy | Two meals a day and care. Breakfast, dinner and treatments |
FB power system | Three meals a day. Breakfast lunch and dinner |
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AP Power System | ||
AI power system | Three meals a day and drinks. Breakfast and local spirits |
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FB+ Power System | ||
UAI power system | Ultra All Inclusive | Three meals a day and any drinks. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, local and imported spirits |
FBT Power System | Full board & therapy | Three meals a day and care. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and treatments |
There are also various designations for breakfast, which are also worth knowing. And deal with all the wisdom is worth even before the trip. Otherwise, you may be disappointed by a too meager set of products, as, for example, with a continental breakfast. Or, on the contrary, you don’t need a hearty breakfast if you are used to drinking only a cup of coffee in the morning.
Types of breakfasts in hotels
So, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the information that will come in handy later on.
CB - continental breakfast | Continental breakfast | Drinks: tea or coffee, juice. Food: buns, toast or croissants. Optional: butter, honey or jam. May include: boiled egg, cereal, fruit, cheese, yogurt, milk. |
AB - English breakfast | american breakfast | Drinks: tea or coffee, juice. Food: scrambled eggs from two eggs of your choice (fried eggs, scrambled eggs, poached or scrambled eggs), bacon, sausages or sausage, beans in tomato, tomato, fried mushrooms, 2 toasts. |
UAI - buffet | Ultra all inclusive | Drinks: tea, coffee, milk, juice. Food: scrambled eggs or scrambled eggs, cereal, bacon, sausages, oatmeal, pastries, cold cuts, fresh vegetables and fruits, toast. Optional: butter, honey, jam. |
Please note that different hotels in different countries have their own food system rules. The diet of the menu, the quantity and quality of dishes, as well as drinks can vary significantly. Therefore, you will find out specific information only if you contact the hotel administration. At the very least, check out their website.
Pros of RO
RO system - which has both advantages and disadvantages. The positive aspects include the fact that for us you can visit different cafes and restaurants in the city, and not just in one hotel. And each time you are free to choose the time of visiting one or another institution, you can order any dish you like, which is not always possible with meals included in the price. Often work is limited in time, for example, breakfast is only from 8 to 10 am. If you are used to getting up later, you will be hungry. In the case of RO, this will not happen, you will not have to change your schedule and preferences. In addition, there will be more opportunities to get acquainted with the local cuisine. After all, buffet tables, as a rule, contain only classic European dishes.
Cons of RO
RO nutrition also has a number of disadvantages. The care of daily food falls only on your shoulders. This is not very convenient for those who do not like to actively search for food, starting in the morning. In addition, in some cities and countries it is not so easy to find an open cafe at 9 am. Also, a separate meal, most likely, will cost you much more than the one included in the price of the tour. And if you don't have too much free cash with you, you run the risk of falling short of your budget. If you are planning a calm, measured vacation, without surprises and extra expenses, then it is better not to risk it and choose a hotel that offers meals already included in the price.
Who is the RO Power System for?
No included meals are great for short and very active trips, when you initially plan to walk a lot and get to know the city as best as possible. This is the best way to get acquainted not only with the local cuisine, but also with the national flavor, and maybe even some customs. You will have more opportunities to take beautiful and original photographs. You can be sure that after such a rest you will definitely not have the feeling that you have missed something. On the other hand, if you are terribly exhausted during the working year, and a stable three meals a day, a swimming pool and a bar at your side are all you need, then there is no point in spoiling your vacation with a constant search for inexpensive and high-quality restaurants. You are not immune from the fact that local cuisine does not suit you.
RO is also suitable for business trips and professional congresses, team building or conferences. In this case, the professional occasion of the meeting can remove the concerns about the nutrition of the participants from the host side.
We bring to your attention a summary table of decoding meals in hotels.
Most hotels have a catering system such as Buffet. This is a type of self-service in which dishes and products are put on a common table. Hotel guests, presenting a hotel card or giving a room number, put themselves food in the required quantities. Restaurants are much rarer. A la carte (A la carte) where service is provided by a waiter based on a fixed menu.
All types of meals in hotels
| Ep, RO, BO, AO | without power |
| BB (Bed and Breakfast) | breakfast only |
| Continental Breakfast | light breakfast consisting of coffee or tea, juice, muffin, butter and jam |
| English breakfast | full breakfast, usually includes fruit juice, ham and eggs, toast, butter, jam, coffee and tea |
| American breakfast (american bulet) | analogue of a continental breakfast + various cuts (sausages, cheeses) and hot dishes (scrambled eggs, sausages) |
| HB (Half Board) | half board (2 meals a day, most often breakfast and dinner, less often - to choose from) |
| HB+ (Half board plus) | extended half board |
| FB (full board) | full board (3 meals a day) |
| FB+ (Full board plus) | extended full board (includes local drinks with meals) |
| Mini all inclusive | full board with local drinks not only with meals, but also in limited quantities during the day |
| AI, ALL INC (All inclusive) | "all inclusive" - 5 meals a day + local drinks (or 3 meals a day + drinks during the day) |
| Ultra all inc | food and drinks around the clock + foreign-made drinks, minibar (often includes an additional service - massage, tennis) |
| * all inc | all inclusive options |
Deciphering the types of food
- Half board- This is two meals a day and in most cases it means a full breakfast and dinner.
- Full board- three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is worth remembering that drinks are served for a fee. Free drinks are served in the case of the type of meal "full board plus". (FB+)
- All inclusive- this is a type of food with breakfast, unlimited drinks, as well as some of the services offered by the hotel.
- Ultra all inclusive- this is an additional level of services in addition to meals, determined by the hotels themselves.
In sightseeing tours, when staying in hotels is temporary, the following types are used:
- Continental Breakfast. Continental breakfast. - light breakfast consisting of coffee or tea, juice, rolls, butter and jam;
- English breakfast. English breakfast- full breakfast, usually includes juice, scrambled eggs, toast, butter, jam and coffee (tea);
- american breakfast. american breakfast- similar to a continental breakfast, includes various cuts and hot dishes.
Going on vacation abroad, travelers have to solve the difficult task of choosing a hotel accommodation. The quality of rest will depend on the correct choice. Many do not rely on the advice of tour operators, but make their own decisions based on reviews and hotel descriptions.
One of the difficulties that you will face when looking for a hotel is the lettering of the food system. What does this mysterious abbreviation UAI mean and how does it differ from many others?
What does UAI nutrition mean?
Studying the conditions of accommodation in large expensive hotels, quite often you can see exactly this letter designation. Such service is considered to be the highest degree of comfort and quality of service.
Nutrition UAI when decrypted gives the definition of Ultra. Translated into Russian, it sounds like the All Inclusive Ultra system. According to the rules, multiple meals for guests are already included in the cost of living, namely:
- breakfast;
- second light breakfast;
- dinner;
- light lunch;
- dinner;
- ice cream and pastries throughout the day;
- B-B-Q;
- soft drinks and alcohol of local and foreign production.
The main restaurants of the hotels serve guests according to the “buffet” system, in which each visitor can choose from the dishes on the table exactly what he wants.
Another feature of UAI food, which applies to the bars and snack bars of the hotel. In other words, guests can freely visit all catering establishments on the territory of the hotel for free - everything is already included in the price.
The difference between AI and UAI
In general, these two power systems are very similar to each other. However, differences still exist.
All Inclusive (or AI for short) means the inclusion in the price of multiple meals in the main restaurant of the hotel and bars. However, some services are only available at an additional cost. This mainly applies to alcohol after 23:00, orders for imported drinks, alcohol and barbecue.
What is the difference between UAI nutrition? That this system offers round-the-clock food at any time with the possibility of ordering all kinds of dishes. This also applies to drinks.
Another important detail can be called free meals in restaurants. These are the hotel establishments that serve visitors on the menu and offer cuisine from different countries. With the All Inclusive system, visiting such places is paid or limited (1-2 times in 7-10 days).
Should I choose Ultra All Inclusive accommodation?
Not all hotels offer such a system of accommodation. Usually these conditions are found only in very large luxury hotels. Many offers come from hotels in Turkey and Egypt.
Whether it is worth choosing such a ticket, each tourist will have to decide on their own, based on their own dietary needs. It is worth remembering that - UAI, significantly increases the cost of the tour.
To make the right decision, consider the following points. The purpose of the trip - if tourists plan to visit a lot of excursions and trips around the area, they will often have to eat out of the hotel (this is an additional expense).
This suggests that this food - UAI, may simply become an unnecessary service.
Preferences in alcohol - if you plan a quiet family vacation without abundant libations, then you can get by with the All Inclusive system.
Having understood the Ultra All Inclusive, it will be much easier for vacationers to choose a hotel by type of food. This guarantees quality rest and rational financial spending.
RO BB HB FB AI UAI - deciphering the types of food in hotels. Meals RO (room only), RR (room rate), OB (Only Bed), AO (Accommodation Only) such abbreviations in the hotel mean accommodation in a room without meals. The most common is RO. Meals BB (bed breakfast), means "bed and breakfast", i.e. when staying at the hotel on the BB system, a bed in a room and breakfast are provided. Breakfast, as a rule, is supposed to be in the form of a "buffet" and the abundance of dishes depends on the level of the hotel and the country of residence. For example, a BB breakfast in Central Europe is significantly inferior to the BB accommodation option in Greece or the UAE. Meals HB (half board), which means "half board" - breakfast and dinner. Some expensive hotels offer free champagne for breakfast. As a rule, meals are organized according to the "buffet" system. Non-alcoholic drinks under the HB system are free, you can order paid alcoholic drinks with payment on the spot or on the room. HB + (half board plus) is the same half board, but the HB + option provides some free alcoholic drinks, usually locally produced. Meals FB (full board), or "full board". Meals breakfast, lunch and dinner, as a rule, according to the buffet system. The FB system does not provide free spirits, with the exception of champagne for breakfast in some expensive hotels. FB alcoholic drinks can be ordered for dinner at an additional cost. Meals FB+ (full board plus) - similar to FB, but FB+ means some free alcoholic drinks, usually locally produced. Meals AI (all inclusive) "all inclusive", multiple meals without restrictions. Depending on the level of the hotel, AI can range from three meals a day to multiple meals throughout the day - restaurants, barbecues, grills, night bars, etc. Complimentary local and less commonly imported alcoholic drinks. Imported spirits and cocktails under the AI system are free only in expensive hotels, in simpler hotels, imported alcoholic drinks are subject to an additional charge and subject to availability. Meals AIP (all inclusive premium) "all inclusive premium" - rare. AIP is similar to AI, but with a larger selection of spirits. Food UAI (ultra all inclusive, UALL) type of food according to the "ultra all inclusive" system - multiple meals throughout the day at will in restaurants of different cuisines of the world, grill bars, night bars, etc., ice cream and sweets. UAI means free non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks of local and foreign production.
