We calculated how much two people actually spend in a week on each option.
What meal plans exist
Breakfast (BB), half board (HB), all inclusive (AI) and ultra all inclusive (UAI) — the four most common options. The price gap between BB and AI is often €150–300 per person per week, so the question is whether food and drink prices at the resort outweigh that gap.
What to include in the calculation
- Snacks and drinks on the beach — Included at AI hotels; with BB they quickly add up to €30–60 a day.
- Children's meals — At AI hotels children often eat free or at a discount.
- Evening programmes and restaurants — If you plan to dine out every evening, BB can be better value.
Our calculations show: for two people on a week in Turkey, AI usually works out cheaper or equal to BB if they eat and drink out during the day. In Italy and Spain, where restaurants are everywhere, HB or even BB often wins.
When BB or HB really wins
If the trip is about travelling — excursions, cities, restaurants — and the hotel is just for sleeping, breakfast or half board is the sensible choice. But if you just want to relax at the resort and know your budget upfront, all inclusive is the calmer and often cheaper option.