Tell the resort in writing exactly which food you must avoid, what reaction you have, and ask who in the kitchen will read the note. Then repeat it at check-in and at the first meal. This guide is general information, so talk to your own doctor about your allergy plan.
Our booking requests topic covers how to ask suppliers for things and keep their answers on record. Allergies are the request where that habit matters most.
What should the first message include?
Four details are enough. A clear message is easier to act on than a long story.
- The allergen, named clearly, such as peanut, shellfish, egg or sesame
- How you react, in one short line
- Whether traces or shared utensils matter
- A request to confirm in writing who in the kitchen has the note
A sample: “One of us has a severe peanut allergy. We would like to know how your kitchen handles it, and whether the restaurant manager can confirm this in writing before we arrive.”
What three checkpoints should we use?
Allergy requests fail at handovers, so build in a check at each one. This table is simple to follow.
| Checkpoint | What you do |
|---|---|
| At booking | Send the message and ask for a written reply |
| At check-in | Show the reply, ask that the note is passed to the kitchen |
| At each new restaurant | Tell the server first, before ordering |
How do we word it at the table?
Say it clearly before you read the menu. “I have a peanut allergy. Can you check with the chef which dishes are safe?”
If the server seems unsure, ask to speak to the chef or manager. Do not accept a guess. It is polite to wait for a proper answer.
Can an allergy card help?
If the local staff speak limited English, a printed card helps. Keep it simple: the food name, a line such as “I am allergic, please keep it away from my food”, and a symbol or photo.
Ask the resort or a native speaker to check the translation. Our guide on wording a special request can help you write the English version first.
What about half board and buffets?
Set menus and buffets are harder than ordering à la carte, because dishes on a buffet share spoons and oil. Ask the resort which route they recommend.
If they cannot describe how the buffet separates allergens, consider booking room only or breakfast only, and choosing restaurants one by one. For more on that trade-off, see our guide on meal plans on remote islands.
What else should we prepare?
Carry your prescribed medicine in your hand luggage, together with a copy of your doctor’s letter. Know where the nearest clinic is.
On remote islands, medical help can be a boat ride away, so read our notes on insurance for remote island honeymoons. If skin products also worry you, our spa allergy guide covers that.
What should we do next?
- Write the allergen and your reaction in one clear line each.
- Send the first message to the resort and ask for a written reply.
- Save their answer on your phone.
- Plan your meal plan around what they can confirm.
- Send us the resort and the message, and we will ask on your behalf.