Gluten & Allergy Hotel Tips

Your comfort level with managing your gluten and allergen-free lifestyle, the severity of your food allergies and your personal preferences are all key influencers in your choice of accommodations when traveling at home or abroad.

Various alternatives may include hotels, resorts, bed & breakfasts, hostels, villas, apartments, cottages and even castles! Therefore, we recommend that you:

• Research your options to determine the best fit for your dietary needs and travel destinations.

• Determine if you need a refrigerator and/or kitchen to prepare some of your meals.

• If desired, request a small refrigerator, which may result in an extra fee.

• Contact the customer service department to address any unanswered questions prior to booking your reservation.

• Inform the accommodation when making reservations of your allergen concerns.

• Educate yourself on ingredients, food preparation techniques and hidden allergens to determine appropriate meals and restaurants, if applicable.

• Discuss meal alternatives with the culinary specialists and order your allergen and gluten-free meals in advance, if appropriate.

• Ideally, obtain in writing a mutually agreed upon meal plan and approach to ensure safe eating, especially if your accommodation is at an all-inclusive resort.

• Determine what safe snacks you need to pack for excursions away from your accommodation.

• Confirm your gluten and allergen-free meals with your accommodation 3-5 days prior to your departure, if appropriate.

• Prepare an emergency plan with medicine, location of closest medical facilities and instructions for others, if needed.

• Research grocery stores and supermarkets close to your accommodation for some basic foods, if desired.

• Check with your accommodation about restaurants nearby and contact them prior to your departure, if appropriate.

• Stay within close proximity of the nearest hospital if at risk to anaphylaxis.

• When you arrive, communicate your dietary concerns to the accommodation wait staff as required for safe eating.