What is a Meal Plan in a Hotel?
In the hospitality world, a meal plan refers to a package that includes meals along with your hotel stay. Some hotels offer just a bed, while others provide options ranging from a simple breakfast to all-you-can-eat gourmet dining. 🍕🥗🍰
💡 Example: If you’re staying at a beach resort in the Maldives, you might get an all-inclusive plan covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and even cocktails 🍹. But if you’re on a business trip to New York City, a room-only plan might make more sense, letting you explore local restaurants. 🍽️🏙️
Types of Meal Plans in Hotels
Hotels offer different meal plans based on their Food & Beverage (F&B) strategy to balance guest satisfaction and profitability.
- 🏨 Room-Only (RO) – Just a bed, no meals included. Ideal for travelers who love exploring local cuisine. 🍜
- ☕ Bed & Breakfast (B&B) – Includes accommodation + breakfast included. Perfect for city stays or road trips! 🚗
- 🍽️ Half-Board (HB) – Breakfast + one other meal (usually dinner). Great for sightseeing trips where lunch is eaten outside. 🏰
- 🥗 Full-Board (FB) – All three meals included. Best for family vacations where convenience is key. 👨👩👧👦
- 🌴 All-Inclusive (AI) – Accommodation + meals + drinks + sometimes extras like activities or spa treatments. Great for resorts and cruises! 🚢🏝️
How Meal Plans Affect Hotel Costs
- 💵 Room-only plans are the cheapest but require extra spending on food. Perfect for budget travelers.
- ✅ B&B is a great middle-ground—saving time and money on at least one meal.
- 👨👩👦👦 Half-board & full-board plans offer better value for family trips or places where dining out is expensive.
- 🍷🍔 All-inclusive plans may seem pricey, but if you love unlimited drinks, buffets, and snacks, they can be the most cost-effective!
Which Meal Plan Should You Choose?
- 🧳 Business travelers → Room-only or B&B (quick breakfast before meetings ☕)
- 🚀 Adventure seekers → Room-only (eat local street food 🍜)
- 💑 Couples on a romantic getaway → Half-board (enjoy fancy dinners 🍷)
- 👶 Families with kids → Full-board or all-inclusive (less stress, more fun! 🏊)
- 🏖️ Beach resort lovers → All-inclusive (unlimited cocktails & sunset dinners 🍹🌅)
How Hotels Use chatlyn to Manage Meal Plans
Hotels using chatlyn can automate meal plan confirmations, guest preferences, and upsells via WhatsApp, email, or SMS. 📲✨
✔️ Example: A guest books a B&B plan, but through chatlyn, the hotel sends an automated offer:
“Would you like to upgrade to Half-Board for just $20 per day? Enjoy a gourmet dinner at our rooftop restaurant! 🌇”
- ✔️ Live chat & AI Chatbot → Answer meal plan queries instantly.
- ✔️ WhatsApp Newsletters → Promote seasonal all-inclusive deals.
- ✔️ Omnichannel Inbox → Handle meal plan requests across multiple platforms (Booking.com, Airbnb, emails).
Result? More upsells, happy guests, and seamless guest communication. 🚀