Buffet spread filled with hot and cold options from burgers to meats and salad

What Is the Difference Between Full Board and All Inclusive

05 Feb 2019 By Adele Grant
Buffet spread filled with hot and cold options from burgers to meats and salad

If you’re not an avid traveller, you probably won’t know what is included in each board basis. Many speak for themselves, while others are a little more confusing. The Full Board option is often mistaken with an All Inclusive holiday and vice versa.

Although similar, there are some variations which you should take into consideration when choosing which basis is best for you. With that in mind, join us as we clear up the main differences between Full Board and All Inclusive.

Full Board

Full Board dining with a hot buffet spread filled with potatoes and vegetable dishes

Full Board is similar to going All Inclusive, but without the added luxury of drinks and snacks. This option gives guests a little more freedom as they won’t feel restricted to their hotel with plenty of reason to sample the local nightlife and pavement cafes in between mealtimes.

Hate deciding where to eat? With all of your food taken care of for the duration of your trip this won’t be a problem. Plus, with a large chunk of your budget taken care of, controlling your holiday spends will be much easier.

In terms of price, Full Board holidays are surprisingly affordable. You’ll often find great value for money deals, which won’t cost you much more than a week Self Catering. You’ll find Full Board deals available in a range of destinations from British hotspots including Spain and Greece to more exotic locations such as the Canary Islands.

What’s included in full-board? Full board means that your breakfast, lunch and evening meal are included within the price of your holiday. It means your drinks and additional snacks will cost you extra.

Best for? Couples

Top Full Board hotels:

Costa Blanca

Gran Hotel Bali: As the tallest hotel in Europe, you can’t miss this giant building which seems to dominate Benidorm’s iconic skyline. With two buffet restaurants it’s an excellent choice for Full Board holidays, not to mention its triple helping of pools.

Tenerife

GF Fanabe: Boasting 4 stars, it doesn’t get much better than this hotel’s central location with the resort’s bars and beach just a short stroll away. Take advantage of your Full Board meals and head straight for the buffet restaurants, where you can choose from a selection of tasty show cooking stations.

Algarve

Muthu Clube Praia da Oura: Celebrated for its sensational Atlantic views, you can’t get much closer to the beach. Decorated in a traditional style with manicured gardens surrounding its two swimming pools, days here are extremely relaxing.

The buffet restaurant is where you can fill your face with themed nights promising a different cuisine every evening – all included in your Full Board basis.

All Inclusive

A waiter holding a tray of All Inclusive cocktails with a beach in the background

What is covered in your All Inclusive holiday can vary depending on the hotel, but as standard they typically include all of your meals, drinks, with some exceptions, and snacks. Guests can take advantage of these perks up until midnight, unless they have booked a stay which offers 24-hour All Inclusive. In this case, you’ll be served around the clock.

Most All Inclusive hotels come with some sort of entertainment come evenings as well as a host of daytime activities, ensuring holidaymakers are kept busy. Luxury options often throw in extras such as a la carte dining and branded drinks.

This is ideal for anyone seeking a cashless getaway. With the majority of your trip already paid for, you can relax knowing the bill has been settled. These all in holidays are a great choice for families with everything you could possibly need in one spot, yet it doesn’t mean you’re restricted to your complex either!

With a huge range of All Inclusive holidays in Europe and beyond, your destination options are endless. Or, if you’re price driven, it’s often worth taking into the account the full cost of your trip as this board basis can often work out cheaper, especially if you have more than one mouth to feed.

All Inclusive holiday deals

What’s included in All Inclusive? An All Inclusive holiday means that at least your breakfast, lunch, evening meal will be free. It also includes snacks, soft drinks as well as a choice of alcoholic beverages within the price.

Best for? Families

Top All Inclusive hotels:

Hurghada

Jasmine Palace Resort & Spa: Featuring its own private beach, this is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for direct access to the world-famous Red Sea. With a lagoon-style pool and a list of al la carte dining options included in your All Inclusive holidays, you won’t even have to leave the hotel.

Cyprus

King Evelthon Beach Hotel: Not only is this hotel celebrated for its All Inclusive highlights, but it’s also adored for its beachside location and close proximity to Paphos Town. Filled with modern rooms, most offering a sea view, as well as an onsite waterpark, there’s plenty of fun to be had.

Mitsis Laguna Resort & Spa: You can make full use of your All Inclusive facilities here with five themed restaurants waiting to fulfil your culinary needs. In terms of location, guests can go from their pool to the coastline in minutes with Hersonissos Beach just steps away.

Now, you’re all clued up on the difference between Full Board and All Inclusive, it’s time to decide which board basis is right for you.

Don’t miss these great posts
Friends in the pool with Inflatables News

Surge in Late Summer Holiday Bookings

06 Aug 2019
Read More

When booking with Broadway Travel we put your financial protection first, which is why our holidays that include flights are fully protected under the ATOL scheme. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) are listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate