The usual UK terms are:

• Room only (RO): no meals.

• Self catering (SC): no meals, but a kitchen or kitchenette.

• Bed and breakfast (BB): breakfast included.

• Half board (HB): breakfast and one main meal, usually dinner.

• Full board (FB): breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• All inclusive (AI): meals plus snacks, drinks and some activities, as defined by each hotel.

Why it matters

Board basis drives both the price and the customer’s expectations, and a mismatch is a common source of complaints. There is no UK legal definition or industry-wide standard, so two all inclusive hotels in the same resort can differ on branded drinks, bar opening hours and à la carte dining. Check each hotel’s own inclusions rather than relying on the label.

Watch out for

• Drinks are not normally included with half or full board unless the hotel says so.

• “Bed and breakfast” as a board basis is different from a B&B, which is a type of property.

• Under the Package Travel Regulations, meals that come with the accommodation are part of the accommodation, so upgrading the board basis does not add a separate travel service.