Board Types Explained: Room-Only, B&B, Half-Board & All-Inclusive

Booking a Turkey holiday, you'll meet a string of abbreviations — RO, B&B, HB, FB, AI — and they all affect what you pay and how you eat. They're simply "board types": how many meals (and drinks) are included with your room. Here's each one explained plainly, with what it costs you and who it suits, so you can pick the right one with confidence.

The board types at a glance

Board type	Includes	Best for
Room-only (RO)	Just the room, no meals	Self-caterers, foodies eating out
Bed & breakfast (B&B / BB)	Room + breakfast	Explorers who eat out
Half-board (HB)	Breakfast + dinner	Middle ground, lunch out
Full-board (FB)	Breakfast, lunch + dinner	Staying put, all meals at hotel
All-inclusive (AI)	All meals + snacks + drinks	Families, drinkers, resort stays

Room-only (RO)

Exactly what it says — just your room, no meals. You're free to eat wherever and whenever you like. Cheapest upfront, and ideal for foodies who want to explore Alanya's restaurants, self-caterers in an apartment, or anyone who resents paying for meals they won't use. You'll spend on food separately, so factor that in.

Bed & breakfast (B&B)

Your room plus breakfast each morning; lunch and dinner are up to you. A flexible, popular choice — you start the day fed, then explore and eat out for the rest. Great for couples and independent travellers who like trying local restaurants without committing to all meals at the hotel.

Half-board (HB)

Usually breakfast and dinner at your hotel, with lunch left free. This is the classic middle ground: most meals covered and predictable, but you can grab lunch out while you're exploring, or skip it after a big breakfast. Popular with those who want some structure and value but still a taste of eating out. Note drinks usually aren't included with HB meals.

Full-board (FB)

All three meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner — at the hotel. Less common for beach holidays than HB or AI, it suits people who'll mostly stay at the hotel and want every meal sorted, without the drinks and snacks of all-inclusive. Drinks are typically extra.

All-inclusive (AI)

The big one: all meals, snacks, and drinks (usually local) included, plus the resort facilities. The most "sorted" and predictable option, and often the best value for families and those who drink. It can feel limiting if you love exploring, though. We cover it in depth in all-inclusive in Turkey explained and the ultra all-inclusive difference.

Which board type should you choose?

• Love exploring & eating out? Room-only or B&B — keep your evenings free for local food.
• Want a balance? Half-board — most meals covered, lunch out.
• Staying put / want it all sorted? Full-board or all-inclusive.
• Family or like a drink? All-inclusive usually wins on value and ease.

Whatever you choose, remember Alanya's local food is a highlight — even all-inclusive guests often head out for a meal or two. See all-inclusive vs eating out and our eating out guide. And on any board type, you can always have food delivered for a night in.

Frequently asked questions

What do the hotel board types mean?
Room-only means no meals; B&B includes breakfast; half-board adds dinner; full-board includes all three meals; all-inclusive covers meals plus snacks and drinks. Each step up includes more for a higher price.

What is half-board in a hotel?
Half-board (HB) usually includes breakfast and dinner at your hotel, leaving you free for lunch out — a popular middle ground that covers most meals while letting you explore local restaurants.

Which board type is best value in Turkey?
It depends. All-inclusive often suits families, drinkers and resort stays; half-board or B&B suits those who want to eat out; room-only fits self-caterers and foodies.

What does B&B include?
Your room and breakfast each morning, with all other meals up to you — a flexible, lower-cost option ideal if you like eating out for lunch and dinner.

For more on choosing your stay, see our Alanya hotels & accommodation guide. Questions about board types or a deal? Message us on WhatsApp — we're local and happy to help.