LPD, DP, PC, all inclusive: the abbreviations for meal plans in hotels are multiplying on booking sites. Behind these acronyms, the included services vary, and the budget for a stay can change dramatically depending on the chosen plan. Comparing these plans based on concrete criteria (meals covered, flexibility, additional costs compared to accommodation only) allows for a better understanding of where full board truly stands in this framework.
Comparative table of hotel meal plans
Before analyzing full board in detail, a summary of the main plans helps visualize the differences in services.
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| Plan | Common Abbreviation | Meals Included | Drinks Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Only | RO (Room Only) | None | No |
| Accommodation + Breakfast | LPD / BB | Breakfast only | No (excluding breakfast) |
| Demi-pension | DP / HB | Breakfast + Dinner (or Lunch) | No (unless stated otherwise) |
| Full Board | PC / FB | Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner | No (water sometimes included) |
| All Inclusive | AI / All Inclusive | All meals + snacks | Yes (alcohol and soft drinks) |
The difference between full board and all inclusive mainly revolves around drinks and snacks outside of meals. This is a point that many travelers underestimate at the time of booking.
To better understand the meaning of LPD in hotels and its links to full board, it should also be noted that LPD remains the basic plan in most urban establishments, while PC dominates in beach resorts and holiday clubs.
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Full Board in Hotels: What the Plan Really Covers
Full board, abbreviated as PC or FB (full board), includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At first glance, the promise is simple. In practice, the content varies depending on the establishment and destination.
Meals Served and Variable Formats
In a standard hotel, the three meals are generally served in the main restaurant, either as a buffet or a limited-choice menu. Some resorts offer a buffet at lunch and table service in the evening, with a set number of dishes in advance.
Drinks are almost never included in full board, except for water (in carafes or bottles depending on the establishment). Sodas, fruit juices at lunch and dinner, wine, or beer remain the responsibility of the guest. This is the structural difference with all inclusive.
Hours and Constraints to Anticipate
A stay in full board imposes a time frame: service slots are defined by the hotel. For a traveler planning day excursions, missing lunch means losing a paid meal. A few points to check before booking:
- The possibility of obtaining a packed lunch (lunch box) in place of lunch, offered by some beach establishments but rarely guaranteed
- The exact hours of each service, which can vary between high and low season
- The number of restaurants accessible with the PC plan, as in large resorts, some themed or gourmet restaurants are reserved for all inclusive plans
LPD, Demi-Pension, or Full Board: Criteria That Influence the Choice
The choice between these plans depends less on the displayed price than on the relationship between the cost of meals on-site and the desired freedom. Two variables weigh heavily in this equation.
Duration of Stay and Destination
For a short urban stay of two or three nights, LPD is sufficient in most cases. There are many external dining options, and the prices of local restaurants often remain competitive compared to the additional cost of a hotel full board.
On the other hand, for a beach stay of a week or more in an isolated resort, full board makes perfect sense. The fewer dining alternatives the environment offers, the more profitable the PC becomes.
Traveler Profile
A couple without children, who enjoys discovering local cuisine, will gain little benefit from full board. A family with young children, on the other hand, will find it a predictable framework: no searching for a restaurant at every meal, no unpleasant surprises on the bill.
Simplification of Plans in Beach Hotels in 2026
A recent trend deserves mention. Some hybrid establishments (aparthotels and hotel residences) are restructuring their offerings around only three plans: LPD, demi-pension, and full board. The aparthotel Le Corail, in Yasmine Hammamet, Tunisia, for example, has adopted this simplified framework for its long-term beach stays.
This reduction in the number of intermediate plans aims to enhance pricing clarity. Removing “room only” from commercial communication and refocusing the offering on three clear tiers limits misunderstandings at the time of booking. For travelers, this also means that full board becomes the default high-end plan in establishments that do not offer all inclusive.
This movement remains concentrated in beach hotels and aparthotels. In urban hotels, LPD and demi-pension continue to dominate the offering.
Full board occupies a precise intermediate position: it covers all meals without including drinks or extras. For a long stay in an environment where dining alternatives are limited, it remains the most predictable plan in terms of budget. For a short or urban stay, LPD combined with meals taken outside generally offers a better balance between cost and freedom.