How to understand a hotel night or what is a halfboard? Sometimes when browsing holiday offers you can meet the terminology that is not entirely clear to us.
First of all, despite what it may seem obvious, the hotel day does not last last 24 hours. It is a period within which the Guest can use the room, determined within specific hours (although the phrase "hotel day" is used colloquially, this term may refer to any accommodation facility). In general, the hotel night is regulated by check-in and check-out hours.
Here are some practical phrases that (hopefully) will help you read the offers a bit and avoid misunderstandings:
Check-in – you can rent a room starting from a particular time of day, not earlier
Check-out - you have to leave your room before the "check-out" time
Best Available Rate (BAR) – the best available room price. The most advantageous price available in the given accommodation facility for a given day / moment. It may be a price that is subject to certain restrictions, such as the need to pay the total amount for a stay in advance or provide your credit card details to secure your reservation.
Day Rate – payment for using the room during the day (generally at certain times). Popular in big cities when someone needs to freshen up, change clothes, take a nap, etc. before the meeting.
B&B lub BB – short for bed and breakfast. The accommodation service, which is limited to accommodation and breakfast. It does not offer any additional benefits that could be obtained (though not necessarily) in the facility, like access to wellness area, extra meals etc.
Half Board (HB) - in addition to the accommodation service, the offer also includes two meals: breakfast and half board.
Full Board (FB) – in addition to the accommodation service, the offer includes full board breakfast, lunch (lunch) and dinner. It can be confused with the all-inclusive service.
All Inclusive / All in – according to the official definition, it is the inclusion of all services provided by the accommodation facility (generally a hotel) in the price of stay, not only meals but all the extra services a particular hotel provides, like spa, minibar, entrance to private lounges, extra alcohol at the bar, sport activities, concierge service and many more. In Poland it is worth asking a receptionist how they define "all-inclusive" as it may warry depending from the hotel you are planning your stay.
Only Bed lub Room Only – a service similar to a B & B, based solely on accommodation services by the facility. No additional services (even breakfast).
A’la carte (fr) – literally "by card" - applies to serving dishes from the card or dishes to choose from the card. The concept may occur with the offer of a leisure package or promotion.
Adjoining Rooms – they are characterized by internal doors that allow connection, thus creating a larger seating space. A good idea for larger families or a group of friends.
Single use (lub Sole use) – a double room for overnight stays for one person.
Double Room – a double room with one large bed.
Twin Room – a double room with two separate beds.
Downgrade – lowering the standard of a room or service.
Upgrade – raising the ordered service to a higher quality. Mostly it reffers to a higher class of room.
Room Service – (not to be confused with Turndown service) possibility to order meals and drinks that is brought straight to the room.
Turndown service – a service rarely found in Polish hotels. In short, means evening refreshment of the room.
Shuttle – transport service provided by the accommodation facility. It can occur in various forms depending on the services provided. Bus shuttle, vip shuttle, airport shuttle etc.
Overbooking – the accommodation facility sold out more rooms (or other services) than it has on offer.
Incentive – officially it is an English term referring to purely motivational trips, however, it can also be used for offers as presenting additional services that will be guaranteed at a given booking. It can also be information about additional benefits if you order an additional service for the current booking (such as a room upgrade)
Waiting list – the accommodation facility has already fully booked rooms or other services, but not all reservations are secure and there is a possibility that some place will be released.
Infant – a child, usually between the ages of 0-3 (although the range may vary depending on the offer and / or accommodation facility). This is the age range in which accomodation facilities do not take any charge
