Board types

Which board type is best?

Board types compared

Which Board type is best? Compare room only, self catering, bed and breakfast, half board, full board and all inclusive holidays.

Choosing the right board basis can make a big difference to your holiday experience.

Whether you're looking for all inclusive holidays, self catering holidays, family holidays, solo holidays, package holidays, or budget-friendly holidays, understanding what's included helps you find the best option for your budget and travel style.

Board type	What's included	Key benefits	Best for
Room only	Accommodation only. No meals included.	Maximum freedom, explore local restaurants, ideal for late returns.	Solo travellers, couples, city breakers, adventurers.
Self catering	Accommodation with a kitchen or kitchenette. No meals included.	Total flexibility, cook your own meals, budget control, local food experiences.	Families, groups, independent travellers, budget-conscious holidaymakers.
Bed and breakfast (B&B)	Accommodation and breakfast.	Start the day fuelled up, freedom for lunch and dinner, ideal for sightseeing.	Couples, solo travellers, city breakers, explorers.
Half board	Breakfast and one main meal (usually dinner).	Balance of convenience and flexibility, reduced food costs, dine out during the day.	Couples, families, excursion lovers, active travellers.
Full board	Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.	Easy budgeting, convenience, less planning, more time to relax.	Families, resort guests, cruise-style holidaymakers.
All inclusive	Accommodation, meals, snacks, drinks and selected activities/entertainment.	Best value, predictable costs, ultimate convenience, family-friendly.	Families, couples, groups, relaxation seekers, budget planners.

Room only holidays

What is room only?

A room only holiday includes your accommodation without any meals. You'll have full access to hotel facilities, but breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks are paid for separately.

Benefits of room only holidays:

Maximum freedom to eat wherever and whenever you choose
Ideal for city breaks and sightseeing holidays
Great for experiencing local restaurants and cuisine
Often one of the cheapest holiday board basis options

Best for:

Solo travellers
Couples
City break holidays
Adventure holidays
Independent travellers

Our Travel Agent's opinion:

"Room only is the most flexible board basis and is ideal for travellers who plan to spend most of their time exploring their destination rather than using hotel dining facilities."

Self catering holidays

What is self catering?

Self catering holidays include accommodation with cooking facilities, such as a kitchenette or fully-equipped kitchen, allowing you to prepare your own meals.

Benefits of self catering holidays:

Complete meal flexibility
Lower food and drink costs
Perfect for families with children
Shop locally and enjoy authentic ingredients
Ideal for villa holidays and apartment holidays

Best for:

Families
Groups
Budget-conscious travellers
Long-stay holidays
Villa holiday guests

Our Travel Agent's opinion:

"Self Catering holidays offer the highest level of independence and are ideal for families, groups and travellers who want full control over their food budget and meal times."

Bed and breakfast holidays

What is bed and breakfast (B&B)?

Bed and breakfast includes accommodation and breakfast each morning. Lunch, dinner and drinks are usually purchased separately.

Benefits of bed and breakfast:

Breakfast included every day
Freedom to explore during the day
Good balance between value and flexibility
Popular for city breaks and sightseeing holidays

Best for:

Couples
Solo travellers
Short breaks
City breaks
Discovery-focused holidays

Our Travel Agent's opinion:

"Bed and Breakfast is ideal for travellers who want a convenient start to the day while maintaining flexibility for lunch and dinner."

Half board holidays

What is half board?

Half board holidays include breakfast plus one additional meal, usually dinner. In some hotels, the additional meal may be lunch instead of dinner.

Benefits of half board:

Reduced food costs
More flexibility than full board or all inclusive
Opportunity to try local restaurants during the day
Convenient for excursion and sightseeing holidays

Best for:

Families
Couples
Active holidaymakers
Touring holidays
Groups or couples planning day trips

Our Travel Agent's opinion:

"Half board is often the best compromise between flexibility and convenience, making it ideal for travellers who spend their days exploring."

Full board holidays

What is full board?

Full board holidays include breakfast, lunch and dinner in the cost of your holiday. Drinks are not usually included, although selected breakfast drinks such as tea, coffee, fruit juice and water are typically available at no extra charge.

Benefits of full board:

Easier budgeting
Less time planning meals
Meals organised for you
Great for resort-based holidays

Best for:

Families
Couples
Beach holidays
Resort holidays
Relaxation-focused travellers

Our Travel Agent's opinion:

"Full board offers maximum meal convenience without the added extras of an all inclusive holiday."

A beautiful beach and palm trees in Jamaica

All inclusive holidays

What is all inclusive?

An all inclusive holiday typically includes accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, plus entertainment and activities.

Benefits of all inclusive holidays:

Easy to budget and manage costs
Most food and drinks included
Excellent value for families
Entertainment and activities often included

Best for:

Families
Couples
Groups
Stress-free holidays
Budget-conscious holidaymakers

Our Travel Agent's opinion:

"All inclusive holidays provide the best convenience and cost certainty, making them one of the most popular options for families and package holiday travellers."

Board basis - frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest board basis?

Room only and self catering are usually the cheapest upfront options.

What is the best board basis for families?

All inclusive is often the most popular choice for families due to predictable costs and included food, drinks and activities.

What is better, half board or all inclusive?

Half board offers more flexibility. All inclusive offers better cost certainty, and easier planning and budgeting.

Is self catering cheaper than all inclusive?

It depends on destination, family size and dining habits. Self catering offers more choice, while all inclusive can offer better overall value.

Which board basis is best for exploring?

Room only, self catering, and bed and breakfast are generally the best options for travellers planning excursions, city breaks, sightseeing and exploring.

Board type comparison at a glance

Board basis	Meals included	Flexibility	Budget control	Family friendly
Room only	None	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	★★☆☆☆
Self catering	None	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
Bed and breakfast	Breakfast	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆
Half board	Breakfast + 1 meal	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
Full board	Breakfast, lunch and dinner	★★☆☆☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
All inclusive	Meals, drinks and selected extras	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★★★

Ready to find your perfect holiday?

Whether you're looking for the freedom of a room only break, the flexibility of self catering, the convenience of half board, or the stress-free value of an all inclusive getaway, we have a holiday to suit every travel style and budget.

Browse our collection of holiday types below to discover handpicked deals, family favourites, luxury escapes, villa holidays, city breaks and more. Simply choose the board basis that works best for you and start planning your next adventure with Hays Travel.

Popular holidays by board type
All inclusive holidays to Benidorm	All inclusive holidays to Turkey
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Room only holidays to New York	Self catering holidays to Spain

Get in touch and book your perfect holiday with Hays Travel

With so much choice out there, stop the endless searching – our experts at Hays Travel will find the perfect holiday for you. Speak with an expert now, find a branch near you, search online for great deals, or enquire today to start planning your dream getaway.