half board?

[rickyt]

I realize this is probably a dumb question but I am new to all of this so forgive me. I have noticed prices for some albergues make mention of half board. What exactly does that mean? Thanks in advance for what is probably a very simple answer.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Traditionally bed and two meals - normally breakfast and either lunch or dinner.

 

[Vacajoe]

“Half Board” means one meal, either dinner or breakfast. You’ll need to verify with each place as to which they are offering at that price, but be forewarned that a Spanish “breakfast” is often just coffee, toast/pastry, and jam.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

“Half Board” means one meal, either dinner or breakfast. You’ll need to verify with each place as to which they are offering at that price, but be forewarned that a Spanish “breakfast” is often just coffee, toast/pastry, and jam.

In Europe it's usually two meals - one of which is breakfast.

 

[rickyt]

In Europe it's usually two meals - one of which is breakfast.

Thank you. I knew someone smarter than me would be able to answer this easily. I appreciate it!

 

[trecile]

In Europe it's usually two meals - one of which is breakfast.

But usually just toast or other bread and coffee - not a "full" breakfast

 

[Jeff Crawley]

But usually just toast or other bread and coffee - not a "full" breakfast

Or churros - don't forget the churros!

I've seen Spanish cooked breakfasts that would warm the hearts (and hardened arteries) of any Brit or Irishman!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Thank you. I knew someone smarter than me would be able to answer this easily. I appreciate it!

The thought occurs: if you do go half board you'll probably go breakfast and dinner as you'll most likely be walking at lunchtime. If you decide to skip the evening meal - perhaps to eat in a restaurant with friends - then do tell them in the hotel. You won't get a discount but they won't have to waste making a meal they expected you to be there for.

 

[Kathar1na]

To this standard European half board, demi pension, Halbpension, and media pension means one thing: that one of the two daily main meals is included in the price. Sometimes there is a choice between "midday meal" and "evening meal" but more often than not it is the evening meal that is included in the price.

Breakfast (what some foreigners like to call a Continental breakfast) is included in a media pension price anyway but it does not get a special mention. It's either breakfast included, or half board (1 main meal) or full board (2 main meals). There is a reason why the prices are called half board and full board and not two-thirds board and full board.

 

[Former member 95219]

To this standard European half board, demi pension, Halbpension, and media pension means one thing: that one of the two daily main meals is included in the price. Sometimes there is a choice between "midday meal" and "evening meal" but more often than not it is the evening meal that is included in the price.

Breakfast (what some foreigners like to call a Continental breakfast) is included in a media pension price anyway but it does not get a special mention. It's either breakfast included, or half board (1 main meal) or full board (2 main meals). There is a reason why the prices are called half board and full board and not two-thirds board and full board.

Not heard the phrase ‘half board’ for a long time! Alway thought it was a quaint British thing at B and B’s at our seaside resorts!

 

[frjuliangreen]

“Half Board” means one meal, either dinner or breakfast. You’ll need to verify with each place as to which they are offering at that price, but be forewarned that a Spanish “breakfast” is often just coffee, toast/pastry, and jam.

It means both dinner AND breakfast

 

[Camino Chrissy]

“Half Board” means one meal, either dinner or breakfast. You’ll need to verify with each place as to which they are offering at that price, but be forewarned that a Spanish “breakfast” is often just coffee, toast/pastry, and jam.

I only encountered the term "half board" when I walked the Le Puy route, used to describe staying in the gites, which were often farm properties or large homes. There was only an option for one price which included dinner and a simple breakfast. The dinners were outstanding, but their morning coffee does not compare to Spain's.

 

[C clearly]

I have noticed prices for some albergues make mention of half board.

I have never seen this offered for an albergue in Spain. So, I assume you are talking about gites in France or maybe casas rurales in Spain.

I am new to all of this

No problem! You might want to read this thread for an explanation of the types of accommodation available in Spain.

 

[Kathar1na]

I have never seen this offered for an albergue in Spain. So, I assume you are talking about gites in France or maybe casas rurales in Spain.

On the Camino Francés, I stayed in private albergues, casas rurales and small hotels and I don't recall having seen half board offers. They may offer it for guests, I just don't recall it. As to Spain in general, I would usually associate half board with a beach holiday; it is common to see this in holiday brochures for Spain.

As to France, small hotels and gîtes may indeed offer demi-pension. One such example: Refuge Orisson at the start of the Camino Francés:

 

[dbier]

I have never seen this offered for an albergue in Spain. So, I assume you are talking about gites in France or maybe casas rurales in Spain.


No problem! You might want to read this thread for an explanation of the types of accommodation available in Spain.

Although albergues in Spain may not offer half board, when Caminoways booked our accommodations from Sarria to Santiago in July 21, they specifically asked us if we wanted to book " half board". It was usually dinner either in the hostal/ hotel or nearby, and a European breakfast the next morning before we started walking.

 

[rickyt]

I have never seen this offered for an albergue in Spain. So, I assume you are talking about gites in France or maybe casas rurales in Spain.

You are correct. I was looking at gites in SJPDP. I appreciate the info everyone has provided me. I always learn something when I come to the forum.

 

[Annw]

We had also booked with CaminoWays and in the small hotels where we stayed they booked us half board, or dinner (often a Pilgrim Menu rather than full menu choices), with breakfast included for everyone.

 

[Hans-Georg Goebel]

“Half Board” means one meal, either dinner or breakfast. You’ll need to verify with each place as to which they are offering at that price, but be forewarned that a Spanish “breakfast” is often just coffee, toast/pastry, and jam.

I beleave it is bed, breakfast and dinner

 

[mattythedog]

I realize this is probably a dumb question but I am new to all of this so forgive me. I have noticed prices for some albergues make mention of half board. What exactly does that mean? Thanks in advance for what is probably a very simple answer.

There are half board definitions throughout this thread. I would add that in my 8 Caminos in Spain, I have never seen an albergue, hotel or hostal offer half board, and have never seen an albergue offer lunch. Nearly all of them are closed from 0800 to 1400 although some will let you stay a bit later and check in a bit earlier.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@mattythedog, that has been my experience in Spain and Portugal on all four of those Caminos. Only walking the Via Podiensis in France was "half board" mentioned, and almost exclusively in fact.