Meal Plans

A meal plan is a plan that is added to a room rate for providing a room and meals to guests at a hotel. It is very important for travellers to select a meal plan after checking the room rate. Most of the time, travellers compare different room rates without looking at meal plan. Selecting a meal plan after checking the room rate is very important for travellers.

European Plan (EP)

The quoted rate  is strictly lodging and does not include any meals.  Thus the charges are made for lodging facilities only. The guest is booked to pay for lodging only and is charged separately for all other things or services he enjoys or consumes. He has a choice of eating out at any other good restaurant. Taxes and tips are usually additional as well.  This means you have to budget for food, drinks, tips and taxes.

Continental Plan (CP)

In the case of continental plan, bed and continental breakfast are included in the tariff charges. Thus bed is offered along with breakfast and the guest is, however, free to take his meal and tea as he likes. Thus the guest tariff includes lodging and ‘bed and breakfast’ and for others, he is separately billed.

American Plan (AP)

The hotel where American plan is prevalent, boarding, and lodging is provided in the charge. The tariff fixed includes board and lodging. Accommodation and three meals daily are included in the price of the room. It includes bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner.   The meals are provided by the establishment’s kitchen and served on site, typically in the dinning.  It is also known as ‘Full-pension’ or ‘Full Board’.

Modified American Plan (MAP)

It is offered in most of the good hotels and is normally by arrangement. It includes hotel accommodation, breakfast and either lunch or dinner in the price of the room. Thus, in this type of accommodation bed and breakfast and along with it one principal meal, lunch, or dinner at the discretion of the guest is also included. It generally includes continental breakfast and either ‘table d’hôte lunch or dinner in the room rates. It is also known as ‘Demi-pension’.

All-inclusive Plan (AI)

The tariff includes all meals in the booking price – food, drinks, without an extra cost. (This may not include alcohol)

An All-inclusive vacation

This tariff includes all the essentials in the booking price – unlimited food, unlimited drinks (alcohol included), activities, entertainment, childcare, without an extra cost.  Extras like Spa are usually at an extra charge.

Usual types of breakfast offered:

 Continental breakfast – Coffee or tea, juice, bread (croissants, scones, muffins or loaf) .  May include yoghurt or fruit.  No cooked food like eggs or pancakes.

American Breakfast -  It consists usually of fried eggs, bacon, toast with butter, jelly or jam, pancakes with syrup or butter, and coffee. 

English Breakfast - The full English is a traditional hearty meal. This breakfast includes sausages, toast/fried bread, tomatoes, mushroom, beans, bacon, eggs (fried or scrambled), black pudding, and tea/coffee/fresh juice. It is very protein-rich.

Speciality Breakfasts  :-

 Jamaican Breakfast – Ackee and Saltfish with Fried Dumplings, Callaloo and Saltfish with Boiled Bananas, Cornmeal Porridge, Saltfish “flitters” fritters fried plantain.

Italian Breakfast -  Italian breakfast consists of caffè latte (hot milk with coffee) or coffee with bread or rolls, butter, and jam.  Traditionally Italian breakfast usually serves A cookie-like rusk hard bread, called Fette biscottate.

Middle East Breakfast - Falafel, Ful madames, Baba gahnoush, Tehina, Hallomi, and Hummus with Pita bread or Kaek and Tea.  Labneh, Nabulsi cheese, Jams, Zaatar, Dukka, and Olive oil. Pita bread, Kaek (sesame bread), and manakeesh . Shakshouka Egg. Fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, radishes, onions, olives, and shredded carrots.

Japanese Breakfast - Generally, a traditional Japanese breakfast consists of Steamed rice, Miso soup, a protein such as Grilled salmon, Tamagoyaki (Rolled omelet).  Side dishes; Tsukemono (Japanese pickles), Nori (dried seaweed), Natto (fermented soybeans), Kobachi (Small side dishes which usually consist of vegetables), and Green salad (Aditional).  Beverage: Tea

Chinese Breakfast - Chinese breakfast is very different from Western breakfast, but it provides wide options from rice porridge to Youtiao, from steamed buns to baked buns, from fresh soy milk to soups. (Chinese fried flour stick) and soy milk is the best combination for a breakfast. Tofu pudding is very soft tofu. Flavors of tofu pudding vary by region. can be savory or sweet taste. Porridge and Congee, Steamed buns, Stir-fried noodles, Dumpling and Wonton soup. Beverage: Tea and Soy milk

A la Carte – Pay as you go for meals.

Full board includes bed, breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal.

Half Board includes bed, breakfast and evening meal (no packed lunch).

Bed and breakfast includes bed and breakfast only.

Room Service is a hotel amenity that allows guests to order food and drink to their rooms.

An all-inclusive vacation includes all the essentials in the booking price – food, drinks, activities, entertainment, childcare, without an extra cost.