American plan
The American plan refers to a type of room rate or meal plan offered at some hotels and resorts. The key details are:
It includes the cost of the guest room along with breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the pricing. So it’s an all-inclusive meal plan.
Guests pay one lump-sum price per night that bundles the room and meals together rather than paying separately for accommodations and food.
The food is usually served in an on-site dining room reserved for American plan guests. Service is less flexible than going to restaurants but more private.
The menus and dining times are pre-set with usually no option or limited options. It’s favorable for guests who value convenience over flexibility.
American plan rates are generally higher than European plan rates that include only lodging expense with no meals. But they may appeal to families with kids or travelers on tight budgets.
Modified American plans may include only 1 or 2 meals per day rather than all 3, typically breakfast and dinner. These are somewhat less expensive.
So in summary, the American plan or AP refers to a room rate that bundles in the cost of lodging plus three daily meals for a package price meant to be simple and convenient for the guest.
What Meals Are Typically Included in the American Plan at Hotels or Resorts?
Typically, the American Plan (AP) at hotels and resorts includes the following three meals each day:
Breakfast: Breakfast is usually served buffet-style and includes popular morning fare like:
- Eggs (scrambled, fried, omelets)
- Breakfast meats (bacon, sausage, ham)
- Breakfast potatoes
- Pancakes, waffles, or French toast
- Fruit, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal
Lunch: Lunch often features soups, salads, and sandwiches:
- Soups (broccoli cheese, tomato basil bisque)
- Mixed green or Caesar salads
- Sandwiches (turkey clubs, ham melts, grilled cheese)
- Hamburgers, pizza, fries
Dinner: Hearty homemade dishes make up dinner such as:
- Roast chicken, beef dishes, pork chops
- Pasta entrees like spaghetti with meatballs
- Fish dishes like salmon fillets, shrimp scampi
- Sides like rice, vegetables, roasted potatoes
Some AP plans include just breakfast and dinner. Modified plans may cap meals per stay. But the standard full American Plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily as part of the room rate pricing.
