English: At the Hotel

Level: A2. A hotel stay runs on a small set of fixed phrases: a few words at the desk when you arrive, the names of things in your room, polite ways to ask for what you need, and one phrase to leave. Learn these and you can handle most stays in English without stress.

By the end of this page you can…

…check in and check out, name the main things in a hotel room, ask for extra items politely, and report a simple problem.

Checking in

When you arrive, you go to the reception (also called the front desk) and speak to the receptionist. If you booked ahead, you have a reservation (or booking).

Start with the key sentence: I have a reservation under … and then your name. The receptionist will ask for ID or a passport, may take a deposit or your card, and then gives you your key or key card and your room number.

• I have a reservation under Garcia.
• I’d like to check in, please.
• What time is breakfast?

Room vocabulary

Rooms are described by their bed, not by the number of people. A single room has one bed for one person; a double room has one large bed; a twin room has two separate beds. Common features include an en-suite bathroom (a bathroom inside the room), air conditioning, a safe, a minibar, and free Wi-Fi.

Making polite requests

This is the most useful skill of the whole lesson. To ask for something, do not say I want or Give me — they sound rude. Use one of these polite openers:

• Could I have …? — for a thing: Could I have an extra towel?
• Could you …? — for an action: Could you call a taxi for me?
• Is there …? — to check if something exists: Is there a lift?
• Do you have …? — Do you have a spare pillow?

Problems and checking out

If something is wrong, say it simply with isn’t working or there’s a problem with …:

• The air conditioning isn’t working.
• There’s a problem with the shower.
• The room is too noisy. Could I change rooms?

On your last day you check out, usually before late morning (often 11 a.m. or noon — ask at reception to be sure). The phrase is I’d like to check out. You may be asked to settle the bill (pay) and hand back your key.

A short conversation

Receptionist: Good evening. How can I help you? Guest: Hi, I have a reservation under Mendez. Receptionist: Welcome. A double room for two nights. Could I see your passport, please? Guest: Here you are. And is there Wi-Fi in the room? Receptionist: Yes, it’s free. Here’s your key card — room 214, on the second floor. Guest: Thank you. What time is check-out? Receptionist: By 11 a.m. Enjoy your stay!

Example sentences

Play each line and say it along with the audio. These are the exact phrases you will use at a hotel.

Quick recap before you practise.

Practice

How to say it

A few hotel words trip up English learners — copy the sounds, not the spelling.

• reservation has the stress on the third part: re-zer-VAY-shun, not on the first.
• reception is ri-SEP-shun — the stress is in the middle.
• en-suite comes from French and sounds like on-SWEET.
• check out links together in speech: “che-kout”, almost one word.

Quiz

Next

• Next lesson: English: Weather & Seasons
• Review the journey there: English: Public Transport
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