Meal types in hotels

Breakfast and half board

The most common option at hotels in Turkey and Egypt is breakfast included. Usually it is a buffet with scrambled eggs, pastries, cheeses and fruit, and it is enough until lunch. Half board adds dinner, and sometimes lunch as a choice. For a tourist from Almaty flying out for a week, this meal plan is convenient in cities where you want to try local cuisine at cafes.

Breakfast at hotels often starts early, so early flights do not get in the way of eating. Half board is found in Greece, Italy and Cyprus, where dinner is served from a menu. Drinks with dinner at most hotels are paid, and guests find this out on the spot.

All inclusive and ultra all inclusive

The "all inclusive" format covers breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks throughout the day. At hotels in Egypt and Turkey it includes snacks, ice cream and local alcohol. "Ultra all inclusive" adds imported drinks, round-the-clock food and sometimes a la carte restaurants. For a family with children this is convenient, because there is no need to look for food in an unfamiliar city.

Meals at hotels of this type cost more, but the trip budget is predictable.

Limitations of the all inclusive format

In UAE and Thailand, "all inclusive" is found less often and costs noticeably more. Meal plans with alcohol are not suitable for those who do not drink, and the extra payment turns out to be wasted. Hotels in the Maldives often offer only bed and breakfast or half board, and drinks are sold separately.

When full board is worth it

Full board means breakfast, lunch and dinner without drinks. At hotels in remote resorts this saves the day, because there are simply no cafes nearby. For a tourist from Almaty flying to the islands, it is worth checking in advance whether there are shops nearby. If the hotel is in the city center, full board is more often not needed.

Meals at hotels on ski resorts are quite often served exactly this way, because after the slope you do not want to go anywhere far.

What depends on the country and season

In Turkey and Egypt, almost all hotels operate on the "all inclusive" system. In Europe, bed and breakfast or half board is more common, and the guest looks for lunch themselves. Meals at hotels in Asia are built around local cuisine, and breakfast can be Asian. The season affects the price: in summer on the coast, the formats are more expensive.

In winter, Egypt and UAE are in high season, and the cost of "all inclusive" rises. For a tourist from Almaty, it is convenient to compare tours by the number of meals, and not only by price. Meal plans at the same hotel can differ for different rooms. Read the description carefully so as not to overpay for something unnecessary.

Mistakes when choosing a meal plan

Many take "all inclusive" at a city hotel and hardly use it. Others save on breakfast, and then spend more at cafes near attractions. Meals at hotels marked "breakfast" do not mean that there is somewhere to have lunch nearby. For a tourist from Almaty, it is worth taking into account the time difference and the meal schedule. Meal plans with a late dinner are inconvenient for families with small children.

At hotels with one restaurant in high season there can be queues. Sometimes dinner is not served on the first day due to a late arrival.

How to choose for your itinerary

For sightseeing tours, breakfast is enough, because during the day you are in the city. Meals at hotels on ski resorts are more convenient to take as full board. If you are flying back to Almaty early in the morning, check whether they will pack breakfast for you. Meal plans should be chosen by the number of days and plans, and not out of habit. For families with children, snacks and an early dinner are important.

For couples without children, half board is often enough. Compare not only the price of the tour, but also the cost of food outside the hotel.

Meal plans at hotels determine how many meals are included in the room rate: breakfast, half board, full board, or all inclusive. For a tourist from Almaty, the choice depends on the season, the resort, and the arrival time. At peak demand, during school holidays and May holidays, it is worth booking the desired meal plan 2–3 months in advance.

We break down how the formats differ and what to consider when departing from Kazakhstan.

Holidays and celebrations in Kazakhstan in the booking schedule

It is worth booking a hotel with the desired meal plan for school holidays and May holidays 2–3 months in advance. In Kazakhstan, school holidays fall at the end of October, the first days of January, the end of March, and all summer. May holidays in the country stretch over several days and coincide with the start of the beach season in Turkey.

During these windows, hotel occupancy is at its maximum, and available rooms remain mainly with expensive meal plans. Early booking gives a choice between bed and breakfast and full board without surcharges on site. For a tourist from Almaty, it is more convenient to plan the trip a quarter before departure.

High and low season: how restaurant operations change

In July and August in Turkey and Egypt, hotel occupancy is at its maximum, and a queue may form for dinner. Arriving early at opening, right after the restaurant starts working, helps. In low season, from November to March, some restaurants and bars at hotels close, and the choice of dishes becomes more modest.

In Asia, the rainy season comes from May to October, and at a hotel with room only it is harder to plan the day. In ski hotels in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, meal times are tied to the operation of the ski lifts.

Direct flights: arrival day and the first dinner

Direct flights from Almaty to Antalya, Dubai, Phuket, and Sharm El Sheikh last from 4 to 9 hours. On the arrival day, it is convenient to take a hotel with dinner so as not to look for food after the journey. The time difference with Turkey and UAE is minimal, and with Thailand it is only one hour. Appetite and meal times barely shift, and the first dinner follows the usual schedule.

If arrival is late, it is worth checking until what time the restaurant is open. This removes unnecessary hassle on the first evening.

Connections through Istanbul and Dubai: how to cover a long wait

A connection through Istanbul or Dubai may take from 6 to 10 hours, and meals during this period are not included in the tour. At Istanbul airport, cafes and paid-entry lounges with hot dishes are available. At the Dubai terminal, the choice of outlets is wider, but prices are above the city average. Taking nuts, dried fruits, and cookies from Almaty is simple insurance in case of a long wait.

Water at airports is expensive, and a bottle can be refilled after security. A hearty meal is best planned before boarding the second flight.

Ramadan: altered restaurant operating hours

During Ramadan in Turkey, Egypt, and UAE, some cafes are closed during the day, and hotel restaurants operate on an altered schedule. It is worth checking the meal schedule immediately upon check-in, not on the first hungry evening. The main meal is moved to the time after sunset, and the halls fill up almost instantly.

For a tourist from Almaty this is familiar, but it still requires an adjustment in the day's plans. Breakfast at most hotels is served as usual, while lunch may be replaced with light snacks. Alcohol during this period is not served at all in a number of hotels.

Heat above 40 °C: shifting lunch hours to late evening

In summer in the Emirates and Egypt, the heat exceeds 40 °C, and lunch hours at hotels are often shifted to late evening. The main meal begins after sunset, when the temperature drops. During the day, poolside bars with cold drinks and light salads are open. It is better to plan excursions and heavy lunches for the morning or after 19:00.

In Thailand and Vietnam, the heat is milder, but humidity is higher, and appetite also decreases. Water in such weather is needed constantly, not only at the table.

Children's menu and meals for toddlers under two

A children's menu is not available at all hotels, and this is a separate point to clarify when booking. For a child under two, many hotels provide baby food on request, but without prior agreement it may not be guaranteed. In Turkey and Egypt, purees and cereals are usually provided at reception or in the main restaurant. In Asia, the assortment is more modest, and some products are worth taking from Almaty.

A high chair and a feeding place should also be confirmed in advance. If a child eats only familiar food, a hotel with a buffet format is more convenient.

Dietary dishes and dress code in restaurants

Dietary dishes and dress code in restaurants are two points that are most often clarified on site. In hotels in UAE and Saudi Arabia, clothing requirements are stricter than in Turkey or Thailand. It is worth checking them before the trip so as not to sort it out at the entrance to the hall. Gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegetarian options are available at large hotels, but not every one.

At resorts in Turkey and Egypt, the chef often prepares a separate dish on request. In Asia, vegetarian options are found almost everywhere, while gluten-free ones are rare.

Early departure: a packed meal instead of breakfast

If you leave the hotel before 6 a.m., breakfast is often not served, and a packed meal replaces it. You need to ask for it at the reception in advance, preferably the day before departure. The set usually includes a sandwich, fruit, cookies and a bottle of water. In hotels in Turkey and Egypt such a request is almost always fulfilled, in Asia — less often.

It is worth checking the pickup time so as not to wait at the desk at night. If no packed meal is provided, breakfast is taken at the airport.

Paid water in the room and alcohol restrictions

In hotels in Turkey and Egypt, bottled water in the room may be paid, even if drinks are included in the meal plan. Free water is usually available at the dispenser in the restaurant or at the bar. In Muslim countries, alcohol in hotels may be restricted or served only in certain areas. In the UAE, alcohol is poured in licensed bars, while in Saudi Arabia it is not available at all.

In Thailand and Vietnam there are almost no restrictions, but shops regulate the hours of sale. It is better to check these details before departure from Almaty.