Lodging vs. Board — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 28, 2024
Lodging refers to accommodation or a place to stay, typically temporary, while board encompasses meals or food provided, often as part of accommodation arrangements.
Difference Between Lodging and Board
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Lodging is focused on providing a place for people to sleep or reside temporarily. It can range from hotels and motels to hostels and apartments designed for short stays. On the other hand, board implies a provision of meals, often included in some lodging arrangements, such as in bed and breakfasts, where both accommodation and meals are provided.
While lodging primarily deals with the physical space and amenities necessary for accommodation, board is concerned with the food services offered. For example, a lodging arrangement might include various amenities like Wi-Fi and housekeeping, whereas board arrangements specify the meals provided, such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
In some contexts, the term "room and board" is used to describe a package that includes both lodging and meals, commonly seen in institutions like colleges or boarding schools. This combination highlights the distinction yet interrelated nature of lodging and board.
The quality and extent of lodging can vary widely, from basic rooms to luxury suites, focusing on the comfort and needs of the guest. Board options also vary, from simple, fixed-menu meals to gourmet dining experiences, depending on the establishment's focus.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Accommodation or a place to stay
Meals or food provided
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Focus
Physical space and amenities
Food services offered
Examples
Hotels, motels, hostels, apartments
Breakfast, lunch, dinner provisions
Common Context
Travel, temporary stays
Accommodation arrangements, institutions
Variability
Ranges from basic to luxury accommodations
From fixed-menu meals to gourmet dining
Compare with Definitions
Lodging
Facilities provided for comfort and living.
The lodging offered complimentary Wi-Fi and laundry services.
Board
Provision of meals as part of accommodation.
The hotel offers board options including breakfast and dinner.
Lodging
Accommodation in a place to stay temporarily.
We found excellent lodging near the city center.
Board
The meals themselves provided to guests.
Board at the guesthouse includes three meals a day.
Lodging
A place of residence for a specific period.
Her lodging during the study abroad program was a small apartment.
Board
A payment arrangement for meals.
Board expenses are included in the room fee.
Lodging
Any temporary housing arrangement.
The conference provided several lodging options for attendees.
Board
A plan that includes meals in the cost of lodging.
Our package includes lodging with board at the resort.
Lodging
The act of renting a room or property for a short period.
Lodging in the mountain cabins is popular in winter.
Board
Food services in institutions like schools.
Students in the dormitory receive full board.
Lodging
Lodging refers to the renting of a short-term dwelling. People who travel and stay away from home for more than a day need lodging for sleep, rest, food, safety, shelter from cold temperatures or rain, storage of luggage and access to common household functions.
Board
A long flat slab of sawed lumber; a plank.
Lodging
Temporary accommodation
A fee for board and lodging
Board
A long flat slab of another material, used as a structural member.
Lodging
A place to live
Found lodging near her new job.
Board
A flat, rigid, often rectangular piece of material used as a surface upon which to work
A cutting board.
An ironing board.
Lodging
Often lodgings Sleeping accommodations
We found the lodgings on the tour rather primitive.
Board
A blackboard.
Lodging
Lodgings Furnished rooms in another's house rented for accommodation.
Board
A bulletin board.
Lodging
A place to live or lodge.
Board
A scoreboard.
Lodging
Sleeping accommodation.
Board
A toteboard.
Lodging
(in the plural) Furnished rooms in a house rented as accommodation.
Board
A flat piece of material designed or equipped to be ridden as a sport, especially a snowboard, skateboard, or surfboard.
Lodging
(agriculture) The condition of a plant, especially a cereal, that has been flattened in the field or damaged so that it cannot stand upright, as by weather conditions or because the stem is not strong enough to support the plant.
Board
A diving board.
Lodging
Present participle of lodge
Board
A backboard.
Lodging
The act of one who, or that which, lodges.
Board
A flat, rigid piece of material on which a game is played, such as a checkerboard or chessboard.
Lodging
A place of rest, or of temporary habitation; esp., a sleeping apartment; - often in the plural with a singular meaning.
Wits take lodgings in the sound of Bow.
Board
A table at which official meetings are held; a council table.
Lodging
Abiding place; harbor; cover.
Fair bosom . . . the lodging of delight.
Board
An organized body of administrators or investigators
A board of trustees.
A board of directors.
Lodging
Housing structures collectively; structures in which people are housed
Board
A table, especially one set for serving food.
Lodging
The state or quality of being lodged or fixed even temporarily;
The lodgment of the balloon in the tree
Board
Food or meals considered as a whole
Board and lodging.
Lodging
The act of lodging
Board
(Sports) The wooden structure enclosing an area for skating, such as the ice on which hockey is played, or enclosing a playing area, as for indoor soccer.
Board
A theater stage.
Board
(Basketball) A rebound.
Board
An electrical-equipment panel.
Board
(Computers) A circuit board.
Board
The side of a ship.
Board
A leeboard.
Board
A centerboard.
Board
(Obsolete) A border or edge.
Board
To cover or close with boards
Board up a broken window.
Board
To furnish with meals in return for pay.
Board
To house where board is furnished
Board a horse at a stable.
Board
To enter or go aboard (a vehicle or ship).
Board
To allow (passengers) on board.
Board
(Nautical) To come alongside (a ship).
Board
(Sports) To force (an opposing hockey player) into the boards with a body check.
Board
(Obsolete) To approach.
Board
To receive meals or food and lodging as a paying customer.
Board
(Sports) To use a snowboard, skateboard, surfboard, or similar item.
Board
A relatively long, wide and thin piece of any material, usually wood or similar, often for use in construction or furniture-making.
Board
A device (e.g., switchboard) containing electrical switches and other controls and designed to control lights, sound, telephone connections, etc.
Board
A flat surface with markings for playing a board game.
Each player starts the game with four counters on the board.
Board
Short for blackboard, whiteboard, chessboard, surfboard, circuit board, message board (on the Internet), etc.
Board
A committee that manages the business of an organization, e.g., a board of directors.
We have to wait to hear back from the board.
Board
(uncountable) Regular meals or the amount paid for them in a place of lodging.
Room and board
Board
(nautical) The side of a ship.
Board
(nautical) The distance a sailing vessel runs between tacks when working to windward.
Board
The wall that surrounds an ice hockey rink.
Board
(archaic) A long, narrow table, like that used in a medieval dining hall.
Board
Paper made thick and stiff like a board, for book covers, etc.; pasteboard.
To bind a book in boards
Board
(video games) A level or stage having a particular layout.
Board
A container for holding pre-dealt cards that is used to allow multiple sets of players to play the same cards. Board (duplicate bridge)
Board
A rebound.
Board
(transitive) To step or climb onto or otherwise enter a ship, aircraft, train or other conveyance.
It is time to board the aircraft.
Board
(transitive) To provide someone with meals and lodging, usually in exchange for money.
To board one's horse at a livery stable
Board
(transitive) To receive meals and lodging in exchange for money.
Board
To capture an enemy ship by going alongside and grappling her, then invading her with a boarding party
Board
(intransitive) To obtain meals, or meals and lodgings, statedly for compensation
Board
To approach (someone); to make advances to, accost.
Board
To cover with boards or boarding.
To board a house
Board
To hit (someone) with a wooden board.
Board
(transitive) To write something on a board, especially a blackboard or whiteboard.
Board
A piece of timber sawed thin, and of considerable length and breadth as compared with the thickness, - used for building, etc.
Board
A table to put food upon.
Fruit of all kinds . . . She gathers, tribute large, and on the boardHeaps with unsparing hand.
Board
Hence: What is served on a table as food; stated meals; provision; entertainment; - usually as furnished for pay; as, to work for one's board; the price of board.
Board
A table at which a council or court is held.
Both better acquainted with affairs than any other who sat then at that board.
We may judge from their letters to the board.
Board
A square or oblong piece of thin wood or other material used for some special purpose, as, a molding board; a board or surface painted or arranged for a game; as, a chessboard; a backgammon board.
Board
Paper made thick and stiff like a board, for book covers, etc.; pasteboard; as, to bind a book in boards.
Board
The stage in a theater; as, to go upon the boards, to enter upon the theatrical profession.
Board
The border or side of anything.
Board
To cover with boards or boarding; as, to board a house.
Board
To go on board of, or enter, as a ship, whether in a hostile or a friendly way.
You board an enemy to capture her, and a stranger to receive news or make a communication.
Board
To enter, as a railway car.
Board
To furnish with regular meals, or with meals and lodgings, for compensation; to supply with daily meals.
Board
To place at board, for compensation; as, to board one's horse at a livery stable.
Board
To obtain meals, or meals and lodgings, statedly for compensation; as, he boards at the hotel.
We are several of us, gentlemen and ladies, who board in the same house.
Board
To approach; to accost; to address; hence, to woo.
I will board her, though she chide as loudAs thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.
Board
A committee having supervisory powers;
The board has seven members
Board
A flat piece of material designed for a special purpose;
He nailed boards across the windows
Board
A stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes
Board
A board on which information can be displayed to public view
Board
A flat portable surface (usually rectangular) designed for board games;
He got out the board and set up the pieces
Board
Food or meals in general;
She sets a fine table
Room and board
Board
Electrical device consisting of an insulated panel containing switches and dials and meters for controlling other electrical devices;
He checked the instrument panel
Suddenly the board lit up like a Christmas tree
Board
A printed circuit that can be inserted into expansion slots in a computer to increase the computer's capabilities
Board
A table at which meals are served;
He helped her clear the dining table
A feast was spread upon the board
Board
Get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)
Board
Live and take one's meals at or in;
She rooms in an old boarding house
Board
Lodge and take meals (at)
Board
Provide food and lodging (for);
The old lady is boarding three men
Common Curiosities
Can you get board without lodging?
Typically, board is associated with lodging, but some institutions may offer meal plans separately, such as schools or workplaces.
Is board always included with lodging?
No, board is not always included and may vary depending on the accommodation type and package chosen.
What does lodging include besides a place to stay?
Besides accommodation, lodging can include amenities like housekeeping, Wi-Fi, and other facilities aimed at guest comfort.
How important is location when choosing lodging?
Location is crucial, affecting accessibility to attractions, dining, and transportation, influencing your overall travel experience.
What's the difference between full board and half board in lodging?
Full board includes all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), while half board typically includes only breakfast and either lunch or dinner.
What kind of lodging is best for long-term stays?
Apartments or extended stay hotels with kitchen facilities are often preferred for long-term lodging for convenience and cost-effectiveness.
Do all boarding schools include lodging and board?
Yes, boarding schools provide both accommodation and meals for their students as part of the schooling package.
How do I choose between different lodging options?
Consider factors like location, amenities, budget, and the type of experience you are looking for to choose the best lodging option.
How does board work in a college dormitory?
Students are typically offered meal plans that allow them to eat a certain number of meals in the college dining facilities.
How can I find out if a lodging option includes board?
Check the accommodation’s description, package details, or directly inquire with the provider to understand what is included.
What should I expect from a lodging with board service?
Expect to receive specified meals as part of your accommodation package, often with a dining schedule or menu options.
Is it cheaper to choose lodging with board included?
It can be more economical, especially for long stays or in expensive areas, as it simplifies meal planning and budgeting.
Can I customize my board options when traveling?
Some accommodations allow customization of board options, such as dietary restrictions or meal choice preferences.
Why might someone prefer lodging without board?
Preferences for exploring local dining options, dietary restrictions, or the desire for a more flexible schedule might lead someone to choose lodging without board.
What amenities are important in lodging for a business trip?
Amenities like Wi-Fi, a work desk, and proximity to business centers are important for business travel lodging.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
