Quick Answer: What is EP in Hotel?
EP = European Plan
A hotel rate plan that includes only room accommodation. No meals are included.
Room Accommodation
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
EP (European Plan) is the simplest and most affordable hotel rate plan. When you book EP, you're paying only for the room - no meals are included. This gives you complete flexibility to eat wherever you want, whenever you want.
The term "European Plan" comes from the European tradition where hotels typically offered rooms without meals, unlike American hotels that historically included meals with the room rate.
What's Included in EP?
When you book a hotel room on EP basis, you get:
- Room accommodation for the night
- Standard amenities - AC, TV, Wi-Fi (as per hotel)
- Housekeeping and room service (ordering food costs extra)
Important: NO meals are included in EP. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all extra. If you eat at the hotel restaurant, you'll be charged separately.
EP vs Other Meal Plans
| Plan | Meals Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| EP | None (Room Only) | Budget travelers, foodies, flexible schedules |
| CP | Breakfast | Business trips, convenience seekers |
| MAP | Breakfast + Dinner | Resorts, vacations |
| AP | All 3 meals | All-inclusive, remote locations |
International Equivalent: Room Only (RO)
On international booking platforms like Booking.com, Expedia, and Agoda, EP is commonly shown as Room Only (RO). See our best OTAs for hotels guide for platform comparisons:
| Term | Used In | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| EP (European Plan) | India, Traditional hotels | Room only, no meals |
| RO (Room Only) | OTAs, International hotels | Room only, no meals |
| AO (Accommodation Only) | Some European hotels | Room only, no meals |
Pros and Cons of EP
Advantages of EP
- Lowest room rate - most affordable option
- Complete food flexibility
- Try local restaurants and street food
- No wasted meals if you're out all day
- Control your total spend
- Perfect for dietary restrictions
Disadvantages of EP
- No convenient in-house breakfast
- May spend more eating out at expensive places
- Need to plan your meals
- Not ideal for remote hotel locations
- Missing out on meal-plan discounts
When EP Actually Saves You Money
EP isn't always the cheapest option when you factor in meal costs. Let's compare:
Scenario 1: Budget Traveler in Delhi
EP Room Rate
₹3,000/night
Street food breakfast
₹100
Local restaurant lunch
₹200
Dinner at dhaba
₹250
Total Daily Cost
₹3,550
Scenario 2: Same Hotel with AP
AP Room Rate (all meals)
₹5,500/night
Total Daily Cost
₹5,500
Verdict: In this example, EP saves ₹1,950/day for a budget traveler willing to eat local!
However, if you're at a resort with no nearby restaurants, or if you prefer hotel dining, meal plans may offer better value.
Who Should Book EP?
EP is Perfect For:
- Foodies: Who want to explore local cuisine, street food, and restaurants
- Budget travelers: Who prefer cheap local food over hotel buffets
- Business travelers: With client dinners and sponsored meals
- Late risers: Who typically skip breakfast anyway
- City stays: Where great food options are walking distance away
- Dietary restrictions: When hotel food doesn't meet your needs (vegan, keto, allergies)
- Short stays: Checking in late, leaving early - no time for hotel meals
EP is NOT Ideal For:
- Resort stays: Limited food options nearby, better to go MAP/AP
- Hill stations: Restaurants close early, weather can limit going out
- Family vacations with kids: Convenience matters more
- All-inclusive experiences: You want everything sorted
- Remote locations: No restaurants nearby
Tips for Hoteliers: EP Revenue Strategy
Revenue Manager's Perspective: How to use EP strategically.
Why EP Matters for Your Hotel:
- Lowest visible price: EP gives you the best price point for OTA comparisons
- Captures price-sensitive segment: Budget travelers who compare rates
- Upsell opportunity: Offer breakfast upgrade at check-in for incremental revenue
- Flexibility: Guests can choose to add meals or not
Pricing Strategy:
- Always list EP as your base rate on OTAs
- Price CP at EP + 60-70% of walk-in breakfast cost
- Show the savings: "Add breakfast for just ₹399 (Worth ₹599)"
- Train front desk to upsell breakfast at check-in
OTA Listing Tips:
- Use clear naming: "Room Only" or "EP - No Meals"
- Don't hide EP to push meal plans - guests will find it elsewhere
- Highlight room amenities since meals aren't a selling point
- Mention nearby restaurant options in description
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the full form of EP in hotel?
EP stands for European Plan. It is a hotel rate plan that includes only room accommodation with no meals. You pay separately for any food you want to order at the hotel or eat outside.
What does EP plan in hotel mean?
EP plan means you're booking just the room with no meals included. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all extra. This is also called Room Only (RO) on international booking sites like Booking.com.
Is EP the cheapest hotel rate plan?
Yes, EP (European Plan) is always the cheapest rate plan since it includes no meals. The price you see is purely for room accommodation. CP, MAP, and AP cost more because they include meals.
What is the difference between EP and RO?
EP and RO are the same thing. EP (European Plan) is the traditional hotel term used in India, while RO (Room Only) is the modern term used by international OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia. Both mean no meals included.
Can I add breakfast to EP later?
Yes, most hotels allow you to add breakfast after booking EP. You can either upgrade at check-in or simply order breakfast at the restaurant (usually more expensive than the CP rate). Ask the front desk for meal upgrade options.
Why is it called European Plan?
The term comes from European hotels that traditionally offered rooms without meals, expecting guests to dine out. American hotels historically included meals (hence "American Plan"). The naming stuck even though meal preferences have evolved globally.
Is EP good for family trips?
EP can work for families if you're staying in a city with many restaurant options and your kids aren't fussy eaters. However, for convenience with children, CP or MAP is often easier so you don't have to worry about finding suitable restaurants for every meal.
What does EPAI mean?
EPAI stands for "European Plan All Indian." Since EP has no meals included, the "AI" (All Indian) suffix doesn't really change anything - it's still room only. Some hotels use EPAI for consistency with their CPAI/MAPAI naming convention.