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What is the difference between Half Board, Full Board, and All Inclusive Meal Plans in the Maldives?
What are the benefits of booking a meal plan for your holiday in the Maldives?
A meal plan is a way to prepay for meals during your holiday in the Maldives. There are four main categories of meal plans in the Maldives: bed & breakfast, half-board, full-board, and all-inclusive. Each has pros and cons; this article aims to help readers decide which meal plan is best for them. You can determine the best meal plan based on who you are travelling with and why you are coming to the Maldives.
Bed and Breakfast
Here are some resorts that offer a fantastic breakfast to start your day
BED & BREAKFAST
Suitable for: guests who prefer to choose when and where they want to dine; personalised dining experiences; an active holiday; in-villa dining; and control over food consumption.
Almost every resort holiday booking in the Maldives includes a daily breakfast as part of your stay, even if you don’t pre-book any meal plans. Breakfast is usually available as a self-service buffet in the main restaurant or as a semi-buffet with à la carte dining at some resorts. The breakfast service is generally between 0700 and 1000 at most resorts, though some start and end later. A few high-end resorts also offer unscripted dining and the option to order your breakfast at any time you prefer. If you check out really early in the morning, the resort usually provides a takeaway breakfast that you could enjoy when you reach the airport.
Why Book Breakfast Only?
Pros and Cons of booking Bed and Breakfast
Here are some benefits and drawbacks of booking a holiday in the Maldives with bed & breakfast only.
👍 Pros: What are the benefits of booking a holiday in the Maldives with bed & breakfast only?
- 👍More Flexibility: You can dine whenever you like.
- 👍Small Appetites: It's ideal if you don’t have a big appetite and prefer à la carte meals.
- 👍Active Holiday: You can spend more time on activities such as snorkelling, watersports, or the spa.
- 👍Private Dining: You could request more personalised dining experiences in place of restaurant meals, e.g., dinner on the beach or relax with in-villa dining.
- 👍 Diet-Friendly: You can stop yourself from overindulging at an all-you-can-eat buffet by dining a la carte instead.
👎 Cons: What are the drawbacks of booking a holiday in the Maldives with bed and breakfast only?
- 👎It’s Expensive: It can get costly, especially when travelling with children.
- 👎Bigger Bills: You will have to settle a large amount at checkout.
Half Board
Resort's that offer great deals with half board meal plans
HALF BOARD
Suitable for: This dining option is ideal for couples, active guests, those with a small appetite, and guests looking for a more luxurious resort.
Half board is a meal plan that includes breakfast each morning and dinner each evening at predetermined restaurants at the resort. Very few resorts allow you to choose between lunch and dinner. The overwhelming majority of resorts offer breakfast with dinner only. More restaurants are open for dinner than for lunch, and a resort's culinary team always aims to delight guests with a special theme for each evening. Restaurants are typically open for breakfast between 0700 and 1000 and for dinner between 1900 and 2200 each evening. Usually, there are more restaurants open for dinner than for lunch. Most half-board meal plans entitle you to dine in the main restaurant only with credit towards your bill or a discount for meals at other restaurants.
Different types of half board meal plans
Half-board: Half-board meal plans in the Maldives typically include breakfast and dinner at the resort’s main restaurant, excluding beverages, in-villa dining, or private dining.
Half Board Dine-Around: If you book a holiday at a resort that provides a half-board dine-around, you will be able to choose where to have dinner from a selection of restaurants.
Half Board Plus: Resorts offering Half Board Plus include meals with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at meal times or throughout the day, depending on the resort's policy.
Why Book Half Board?
Pros and Cons of booking Half Board
Here are some benefits and drawbacks of booking a holiday in the Maldives with half board meal plans.
👍 Pros: What are the benefits of booking a holiday in the Maldives with half board meal plans?
- 👍Active Holiday: Ideal for guests interested in an active holiday.
- 👍More Flexibility: You can still have lunch at the restaurant at an additional cost, order through in-villa dining or keep your afternoon plans flexible.
- 👍Small Appetites: It's ideal if you don’t have a big appetite and prefer fewer meals overall.
- 👍Complimentary Half Board: Some resorts offer a free upgrade to half board when you book bed and breakfast. Deals like this are available year-round on our website.
- 👍High-End Resorts: Most high-end resorts offer half-board, full-board, or breakfast-only options. Most usually don’t have an all-inclusive meal plan, but a few do provide beverage packages at certain times of the year.
👎 Cons: What are the drawbacks of booking a holiday in the Maldives with half board meal plans?
- 👎Main Restaurant Only: At resorts that do not offer a dine-around meal plan, guests must either dine at the main restaurant or receive a per-person credit towards their food bill or a discount on their final bill.
- 👎Fixed Meal Times: You cannot choose lunch or dinner at most resorts; breakfast and dinner are usually the only options.
- 👎Drinks Not Included: Drinks are not included in a regular half board meal plan, unless expressly stated otherwise (e.g., with Half Board Plus, drinks are included at meal times)
Full Board
Resort's that offer great deals with full board meal plans
FULL-BOARD
Suitable for: full board is ideal for families, budget-conscious travellers, casual drinkers and non-drinkers.
A full board meal plan includes three daily meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner for the duration of your stay. This type of meal plan typically includes meals at the resort's main restaurant. Full-board meal plans are perfect for families, budget-conscious travellers and guests who don't drink alcohol, as they cover meals for the duration of your stay. Restaurants are typically open for breakfast between 0700 and 1000, for lunch between 1230 and 1430, and for dinner between 1900 and 2200 at most resorts.
Different types of full board meal plans
Full Board: Full-board meal plans in the Maldives typically include breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the resort’s main restaurant, excluding beverages, in-villa dining, or private dining.
Full Board Dine-Around: If you book a holiday at a resort that provides a full-board dine-around, you will be able to choose where to have lunch and dinner from a selection of restaurants.
Full Board Plus: Resorts offering Full Board Plus include meals with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at meal times or throughout the day, depending on the resort's policy.
Full Board All-Inclusive: A full board all-inclusive plan offers unlimited beverages during meal times and should not be mistaken for an all-inclusive meal plan, which offers beverages throughout the day from select bars and restaurants.
Why Book Full Board?
Pros and Cons of booking Full Board
Here are some benefits and drawbacks of booking a holiday in the Maldives with full board meal plans.
👍 Pros: What are the benefits of booking a holiday in the Maldives with full board meal plans?
- 👍All meals included: Ideal for guests travelling with children, as kids’ meals can be prepaid at the time of booking and won’t incur additional charges.
- 👍Lower costs: if you plan to have three daily meals and only a few beverages, it will be worth booking full board, as prepaying for meals leaves you with a smaller bill to settle at checkout.
- 👍No Alcohol: If you don’t drink alcohol or drink it infrequently, you should consider booking full-board meal plans instead of all-inclusive. Full board includes meals but not beverages; unless you are having several drinks each day, it would be more cost-effective to book full board.
- 👍High-End Resorts: Most high-end resorts offer half-board, full-board, or breakfast-only options. Most usually don’t have an all-inclusive meal plan, but a few do provide beverage packages at certain times of the year.
👎 Cons: What are the drawbacks of booking a holiday in the Maldives with half board meal plans?
- 👎Main Restaurant Only: At resorts that do not offer a dine-around meal plan, guests must either dine at the main restaurant or receive a per-person credit towards their food bill or a discount on their final bill.
- 👎Fixed Meal Times: You cannot choose lunch or dinner at most resorts; breakfast and dinner are usually the only options.
- 👎Drinks Not Included: Drinks are not included in a regular full board meal plan, and will have to be paid for separately unless expressly stated otherwise (e.g., with Full Board Plus or Full Board All Inclusive, drinks are included at meal times)
All Inclusive
Resort's that offer great deals with all inclusive meal plans
ALL-INCLUSIVE
Suitable for: All inclusive meal plans are ideal for families, couples, and groups of friends.
An all-inclusive holiday includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the duration of your stay as well as a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. This type of meal plan typically includes meals at the resort's main restaurant. All-inclusive meal plans are perfect for families, couples and groups of friends, as they include meals and beverages for the duration of your stay. Restaurants are typically open for breakfast between 0700 and 1000, for lunch between 1230 and 1430, and for dinner between 1900 and 2200 at most resorts. Drinks are available at mealtimes, and you can enjoy unlimited beverages throughout the day from 1000 hrs to 2300 or midnight daily.
Different types of all inclusive meal plans
All Inclusive: A standard all-inclusive meal plan typically includes daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Dine Around All Inclusive: If you book a holiday in the Maldives with Dine Around All Inclusive, you will be able to choose where to have lunch and dinner from a selection of restaurants, and you can also enjoy a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during your stay.
Soft All Inclusive: If a resort offers a soft all-inclusive meal plan, it usually includes daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a selection of non-alcoholic beverages only.
Premium All Inclusive: Premium all-inclusive meal plans usually include dine-around lunch and dinner, a selection of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and other benefits.
(Resort Brand) All Inclusive: Some resorts offer a hybrid all-inclusive meal plan that combines standard and premium options. It usually includes a selection of benefits not included in a standard meal plan, and the benefits increase with the length of your stay.
Luxury All Inclusive: This meal plan allows guests to enjoy anything, anywhere, anytime. They can include dine-around options or unscripted dining with unlimited beverages and a selection of benefits, including spa treatments, excursions, and activities.
Why Book All Inclusive?
Pros and Cons of booking All Inclusive
Here are some benefits and drawbacks of booking a holiday in the Maldives with all inclusive meal plans.
👍 Pros: What are the benefits of booking a holiday in the Maldives with all inclusive meal plans?
- 👍Hassle-Free: You don’t have to worry about your bills at checkout when you prepay for food and beverages and you can always ask your service host at the restaurant or bar to indicate the inclusions and exclusions of your meal plan.
- 👍Unlimited Beverages: If having a large selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available on request throughout the day is essential to you, booking all-inclusive would be worth it.
- 👍The Epicurean Getaway: Guests who enjoy savouring all the delicacies that life has to offer often choose an all-inclusive stay. In this case, it is better to stay at a resort that provides dine-around, all-inclusive meal plans, as you will be able to experience many different cuisines during your stay.
👎 Cons: What are the drawbacks of booking a holiday in the Maldives with all inclusive meal plans?
- 👎Main Restaurant Only: At resorts that do not offer a dine-around meal plan, guests must either dine at the main restaurant or receive a per-person credit towards their food bill or a discount on their final bill.
- 👎Fixed Meal Times: Your meal plan includes meals at the restaurant during meal times. If you want to enjoy your meals privately, anywhere else at any time, or via special arrangements, there will be an additional cost.
- 👎Fewer High End Resorts: There are fewer high-end resorts to choose from when you decide to book all-inclusive; most of the high-end brands offer breakfast, half-board or full-board meal plans.
- 👎It's Expensive: It is usually a substantially larger upfront cost to book your holiday with all inclusive.
Why should you book a holiday to the Maldives with a meal plan?
The Maldives is one of the most expensive holiday destinations in the world. The minimum cost of a stay at 3-star or 4-star resorts in the Maldives ranges from USD 300 to USD 500 per night, before discounts, with and without meal plans. Despite this, you can save a lot of money by booking your trip early to take advantage of early booking discounts.
In addition to the discounts, guests who book early may be eligible for complimentary meal plan upgrades. More often than not, resorts offer complimentary upgrades on special occasions and during certain times of the year. You would have fewer expenses at checkout if you settled your accommodation bills before your arrival. Planning your holiday early with the help of one of our travel advisors could save you time and money.
Couples – Half Board or All Inclusive
Why we recommend this: Depending on your preferences, half-board allows you to be more flexible with your plans and offers more spontaneity and room to explore different activities. At the same time, all-inclusive offers more comfort and a relaxed break, so you don’t have to think much or make decisions.
Families – Full Board or All Inclusive
Why we recommend this: Travelling with kids becomes much easier with full board, as it includes all meals. Booking full board will save you money if you don’t drink (much) and want a more activity-focused holiday, and you can also stay at more luxurious resorts. Booking an all-inclusive will be more expensive, but you can indulge in a relaxing holiday that way; however, it will limit your choices somewhat.
Special Occasions – Breakfast or Half Board or All Inclusive
Why we recommend this: Booking a holiday with breakfast only will allow you to plan a very intimate holiday with private dining, special activities, and excursions, which are typically not included in meal plans, and pay for meals à la carte or dine in the villa. Half-board deals are great, especially if you can get one as a free upgrade. All-inclusive stays require little planning and allow you to dine and relax if that is what you prefer.
Friends – Full Board or All Inclusive
Why we recommend this: Booking an all-inclusive holiday is usually a good choice if you are travelling with friends, as you will most likely be socialising. If you and your buddies don't drink much, you might consider a full-board stay to save on costs
Solo – Half Board or Full Board or All Inclusive
Why we recommend this: You can relax on your solo journey with an all-inclusive meal plan. There are no schedules when you are on holiday, unless you yearn for a holistic retreat flush with daily yoga, sound healing, and a regimented diet and wellness plan. If an active holiday is what you prefer, scuba diving or watersports, half board or full board would be the better options
Active Holiday – Half Board or Full Board
Why we recommend this: Half-board or full-board is ideal if you are planning an active holiday because drinking alcohol and scuba diving are dangerous, and the same goes for doing a lot of watersports while inebriated.
Relaxing Holiday – All Inclusive
Why we recommend this: You could have a wonderful, relaxing holiday when you book all-inclusive, which includes three daily meals and select beverages so there is less to pay for at checkout.
High End Resort – Half Board
Why we recommend this: There are more options to explore when you are looking for a half-board stay, and great deals with free meal upgrades are available if you book early.
Introvert – Half Board or Full Board
Why we recommend this: If you prefer a quiet holiday, the Maldives has great resorts for a secluded vacation. There are far fewer visitors who travel to the Maldives each year than to many other destinations around the world. If you avoid all-inclusive resorts and look for half-board/full-board offers instead, you can have a wonderful, intimate getaway in a villa that's nicer and more spacious.
Extrovert – All Inclusive
Why we recommend this: If you prefer socialising with friends, an all-inclusive stay at a resort specialising in all-inclusive holidays is ideal. You will find like-minded guests gravitate to these more interaction-friendly resorts
