What are the differences between Self Catering, Bed & Breakfast and Half Board?
HFS London offers the below Homestay accommodation options to international students.
Self Catering |
Guest prepares own meals and has a dedicated storage area for food in the
kitchen. Times for use of kitchen to be decided with host family. |
Bed and Breakfast
‘Light’ access to kitchen only |
Continental Breakfast
Cereal, Toast, Jam, Tea/Coffee, Juice
‘Light’ access includes use of the kitchen to make a sandwich and possibly use of the microwave. No access to the cooker/oven to prepare meals. |
Half Board (5 Nights)
Continental Breakfast 7 days in the week. Evening Meal Monday to Friday only. 'Light' access to kitchen on weekends. |
Continental Breakfast
Cereal, Toast, Jam, Tea/Coffee, Juice
Evening Meal
Main meal to include a meat or fish dish. To be eaten with host family.
‘Light’ access includes use of the kitchen to make a sandwich and possibly use of the microwave. No access to the cooker/oven to prepare meals.
|
Half Board (7 Nights)
Continental Breakfast and Evening Meal Monday to Sunday. |
Continental Breakfast
Cereal, Toast, Jam, Tea/Coffee, Juice
Evening Meal
Main meal to include a meat or fish dish. To be eaten with host family |
Self Catering
If you have chosen Self-Catering, the times for use of the kitchen need to be decided with the Host Family. Please ensure that you respect the Host Family’s house rules with regards to this and that you are using the kitchen when it is also convenient for the Host Family.
You will be allowed full use of all the kitchen utilities, however please note that some Host Families may have separate dishes, pots and pans and cutlery for students to use.
You must clean the kitchen after use and make sure all dishes are washed and put away.
The Host Family will also have their own house rules to do with whether you can eat in your room. Please clarify this with them. It is not uncommon for Host Families to ask students not to eat in their room.
Bed & Continental Breakfast
If you are on a Bed and Continental Breakfast meal plan, the Host Family will provide you with a continental breakfast (Cereal, Toast, Jam, Tea/Coffee, and Juice) which you can help yourself to in the mornings; the Host Family is not expected to serve you. Host Families are also not expected to provide a cooked “English” or “fried” breakfast.
You will also have “light” access to the kitchen, which means that you can use the microwave, toaster and kettle, but not the oven or the cooker. You may also be given some storage space in the kitchen, but this is not usually a requirement.
The Bed and Continental Breakfast option is most suitable for students who think that they will be eating most of their meals outside of the home.
Half Board
If you are on Half Board please tell your Host Family at the beginning of your stay of any particular dietary requirements whether to do with allergies, religion or for any other reason.
You will be expected to be punctual at mealtimes. You need to ensure that you let the Host Family know as soon as possible if you are going to be late or miss a meal. If late, the Host Family may leave your meal for you in the fridge or oven for you to reheat later.
Your Host Family will try and be flexible with meal times, however please remember that you are living in a family home and not a hotel. There will be clear rules that are set out not just for you but for the entire family so that everyone can live together in harmony. Your Host Family will treat you as one of the family so you can expect the rules to apply equally to their own children (wherever applicable).
Please also remember that if you are on Half Board, you will not be allowed access to the kitchen to make meals. Of course, you will be allowed to have access to make yourself a drink or a light snack. Our Host Families will always want you to feel relaxed in their homes.