Photo by Walter Giannetti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hotels on the Riviera Romagnola
Half-board hotels
Half board includes overnight accommodation, breakfast and one main meal: dinner or lunch, according to the hotel's offer. In the price list displayed by Emilia-Romagna hotels using the regional template, it appears as “1/2 pensione”, with a price per person per day, excluding drinks, and any minimum stay in days.
Lunch or dinner: how the day differs
With dinner included, the middle of the day remains free for the sea, an excursion or a city visit. With lunch included, returning to the hotel at midday becomes a fixed commitment, and the evening meal is eaten elsewhere.
Some offers allow the two meals to be alternated; others fix the meal for the entire stay. This is the first question to ask, together with dining-room hours. If an included meal is not taken, a discount, a replacement on another day or a packed lunch applies only if provided for in the offer.
Drinks and dietary requirements
The regional template states that half board excludes drinks: water and wine with meals are included in the price only when the offer says so. Buffet or table service describes how meals are served, rather than what is included.
For allergies and intolerances, the hotel's explanation of how its kitchen manages cross-contamination matters more than the presence of a dedicated menu.
Comparing the three plans
| Item | Half board | Full board | All inclusive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meals included | breakfast and one main meal, lunch or dinner | breakfast, lunch and dinner | those listed in the offer |
| Entry in the regional price list | “1/2 pensione”, per person per day, excluding drinks | “pensione completa”, per person per day, excluding drinks | no dedicated entry |
| First question to ask | lunch or dinner, and whether alternating is allowed | which meal starts and ends the stay | which drinks and refreshments between meals are included |
For stays including the second main meal at the hotel, the full board guide covers arrival, departure and reading a quote. Bar service, beach services and additions to the package are covered in the all inclusive guide.
Choosing an area involves the individual resort hotel guides, covering neighbourhoods, connections and tourist tax: hotels in Rimini, hotels in Riccione, hotels in Cattolica, hotels in Misano Adriatico, hotels in Gabicce Mare, hotels in Bellaria Igea Marina, hotels in Cesenatico, hotels in Cervia and hotels in Milano Marittima.