Definition

Noun: A hotel pricing system where the daily room rate does not include meals, except typically for a continental breakfast.

Usage

This term is used primarily in the hotel and travel industry to describe a specific type of accommodation package. It contrasts with meal-inclusive plans like the "American plan" (full board) or "Modified American plan" (half board).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The hotel offers a lower rate on the European plan, so we can eat at local restaurants.
  • When booking, I selected the European plan as I only wanted the included breakfast.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in formal hotel descriptions, brochures, and booking websites to specify the meal arrangement included with the room reservation.
• It is a standard industry classification for comparing hotel rates and services.

Variants and Related Words

• American plan (n): A hotel plan that includes three meals daily with the room rate.
• Modified American plan (n): A hotel plan that includes breakfast and one other meal (usually dinner) daily with the room rate.
• Continental plan (n): A hotel plan that includes a continental breakfast daily with the room rate. This is often used synonymously with "European plan."
• Room only (n): A booking with no meals included, which is a stricter form of the European plan that may exclude even breakfast.

Synonyms

• Continental plan
• Bed and breakfast plan (when only breakfast is included)

Notes

• The "European plan" is common in European hotels and major cities worldwide where guests prefer to dine out.
• The included "continental breakfast" typically consists of light items such as bread, pastries, coffee, and juice.

Noun

1. a hotel plan that provides a continental breakfast daily