English Hotel Phrases
A hotel stay needs only a handful of phrases: check in with 'I have a reservation under…', ask for things with 'Could I have…?', report faults with '…isn't working', and leave with 'I'd like to check out'. Learn these and any stay is easy.
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 most stays are stress-free.
By the end of this page you can…
…check in and out, name the main things in a room, ask for extra items politely, and report a simple problem.
Checking in
When you arrive you go to reception (the front desk) and speak to the receptionist. Start with the key sentence and your name.
| Phrase | When to use | Register |
|---|---|---|
| I have a reservation under Mendez. | at the desk on arrival | neutral |
| I’d like to check in, please. | starting check-in | polite |
| Here’s my passport. | when ID is asked for | neutral |
| What time is breakfast? | a common first question | neutral |
Your room and polite requests
Rooms are named by the bed, not the number of guests. To ask for anything, use Could I have…? (for a thing) or Could you…? (for an action).
| Phrase | When to use | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Could I have a double room? | asking for one large bed | polite |
| Could I have an extra towel, please? | asking for a thing | polite |
| Could you call a taxi for me? | asking for an action | polite |
| Is there a lift? | checking a facility (BrE; US elevator) | neutral |
| What’s the Wi-Fi password? | getting online | neutral |
| Could I have a wake-up call at seven? | asking to be woken | polite |
Problems and checking out
If something is wrong, say it simply with isn’t working or there’s a problem with… On your last day you check out.
| Phrase | When to use | Register |
|---|---|---|
| The air conditioning isn’t working. | reporting a fault | neutral |
| The room is too noisy. Could I change rooms? | asking to move | polite |
| I’d like to check out, please. | on your last day | polite |
| Could I have the bill, please? | to pay | polite |
| Can I leave my bags here after check-out? | storing luggage | neutral |
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? Guest: Here you are. And is there Wi-Fi in the room? Receptionist: Yes, it’s free. Here’s your key card — room 214. Guest: Thank you. What time is check-out?
Example sentences
Play each line and say it along. These are the exact phrases you will use at a hotel.
- I have a reservation under Mendez.The key sentence at check-in.Say your name clearly after 'under'.
- I'd like to check in, please.A polite way to start at the desk.
- Here's my passport.Handing over your ID when asked.
- Is breakfast included?Asking whether breakfast comes with the room.
- What time is breakfast?A common first question.
- Could I have a double room?Asking for one large bed.
- Do you have a twin room?Asking for two separate beds.
- Is there a lift?Checking if there is an elevator.Lift is British; elevator is American.
- Could I have an extra towel, please?A polite request for a thing.
- Could you call a taxi for me?A polite request for an action.
- What's the Wi-Fi password?Asking how to get online.
- Could I have a wake-up call at seven?Asking the desk to wake you.
- The air conditioning isn't working.Reporting a problem simply.
- There's a problem with the shower.Another way to report a fault.
- The room is too noisy. Could I change rooms?Asking to move.
- Can I leave my bags here after check-out?Storing luggage at reception.
- I'd like to check out, please.The phrase for your last day.
- Could I have the bill, please?Asking to pay.
- Can I have a late check-out?Asking to stay a little longer.
Quick recap before you practise.
Common mistakes
- ❌ I want a towel. → ✅ Could I have a towel, please? — soften with could … please.
- ❌ Give me the key. → ✅ Could I have the key, please? — make it a request, not an order.
- ❌ I have reservation. → ✅ I have a reservation. — English needs the article a.
- ❌ The shower no working. → ✅ The shower isn’t working. — use isn’t (is not) + -ing.
- ❌ Is have a lift? → ✅ Is there a lift? — use Is there…? to ask if something exists.
Usage notes
- check in / check out: verbs for arriving and leaving; the desk is reception / front desk.
- single / double / twin: the bed type, not the number of guests.
- lift (BrE) = elevator (AmE): the same machine, two words.
- Could I have…? / Could you…? / Is there…? / Do you have…?: four polite request frames for a hotel.
- For the full room vocabulary and a longer dialogue, see the related lesson at the bottom.
Practice
Hotel phrases practice
Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.
Hint: a polite modal, not 'can' here
Show answer
Could — 'Could I have …?' is the polite way to ask for a thing.
Hint: the opposite of 'in'
Show answer
out — You check in when you arrive and check out when you leave.
4 Put the words in order to report a fault.
Show answer
The air conditioning isn't working — Report a fault plainly: 'The air conditioning isn't working.'
5 Match each hotel word to its meaning.
- reception
- key card
- twin room
- wake-up call
Show answer
- reception → the front desk
- key card → opens your door
- twin room → two separate beds
- wake-up call → a call to wake you
These are the core hotel words you'll hear at the desk.
Quiz
Hotel phrases quiz
11 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.
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Show answer
I have a reservation under … — Name your booking: 'I have a reservation under …'.
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one large bed — A double has one large bed; a twin has two separate beds.
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Show answer
Could I have a towel, please? — 'Could I have … , please?' is polite; 'I want' sounds like an order.
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Show answer
reception / the front desk — You check in at reception, also called the front desk.
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Show answer
There's a problem with the shower. — 'There's a problem with …' is a clear way to report a fault.
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Show answer
leave and settle the bill — You check out when you leave, usually paying the bill.
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Show answer
wake-up call — A wake-up call is a phone call from the desk to wake you.
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Show answer
an elevator — 'Lift' (BrE) and 'elevator' (AmE) are the same thing.
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Show answer
a — English needs the article 'a': I have a reservation.
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Show answer
Is there a lift? — Use 'Is there …?' to ask whether something exists.
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Show answer
late check-out — A 'late check-out' lets you leave later than the normal time.
Recap cheat-sheet
| Moment | Say |
|---|---|
| Check in | I have a reservation under … |
| Ask for a thing | Could I have …, please? |
| Ask for an action | Could you …? |
| Check a facility | Is there …? |
| Report a fault | The … isn’t working. |
| Leave | I’d like to check out, please. |
Next
- Deep-dive lesson: English: At the Hotel
- Previous phrase set: English Restaurant Phrases
- More phrase sets: English Phrases
- New here? Start with Start Learning English Here
All English phrases topics
Vocabulary, pronunciation, phrases, practice and exam help, ordered by level. Pick a topic and go straight to it. New lessons go live every day, so topics marked Coming soon fill in over the next weeks.
Phrases
A1 4 topics · 4 ready
A2 7 topics · 7 ready
- 05 English Travel Phrases
- 06 English Restaurant Phrases
- 07 English Hotel Phrases You are here
- 08 English Shopping Phrases
- 09 English Asking Directions Phrases
- 10 English Emergency Phrases
- 11 English Airport Phrases