Booking a hotel

Booking a hotel, staying at a hotel

1. Look at the printscreens of a booking site and guess the meaning of the following words: destination, check-in and check-out dates, adults, location, properties, free cancellation, in high demand.

First of all you should state the destination, check-in and check-out dates and how many people are travelling:

After that you will be offered a great deal of properties to rent. For example:

You can use filters to find the best place for you to stay

Different Room Types in hotels

In hotels the rooms are categorized and priced according to the type of bed, number of occupants, number of bed, decor, specific furnishings or features and nowadays even a special theme available in the room.

Single: A room assigned to one person. May have one or more beds.

Double: A room assigned to two people. May have one or more beds.

Triple: A room that can accommodate three people and has been fitted with three twin beds, one double bed and one twin bed or two double beds.

Quad: A room assigned to four people. May have two or more beds.

King: A room with a king-sized bed. May be occupied by one or more people.

Twin: A room with two twin beds. May be occupied by one or more people.

Studio: A room with a studio bed- a couch which can be converted into a bed. May also have an additional bed.

Suite / Executive Suite: A living room connected to one or more bedrooms.

President Suite/Presidential Suite: The most expensive room provided by a hotel. Usually, only one president suite is available in one single hotel property.

Apartments / Room for Extended Stay: This room type can be found in serviced apartments and hotels which target for long stay guests. Open kitchens, cooking equipment, dryer, washer etc. are usually available in the room.

Cabana: This type of room is always adjoining to the swimming pool or has a private pool attached to the room.

Villa: A special form of accommodation which can be found in some resort hotels. It is a kind of stand-alone house which gives extra privacy and space to hotel guests.

Smoking / Non-Smoking Room: Many hotels provide both smoking and non-smoking rooms for their guests.

Types of meals in the hotels

2. Vocabulary. Match the words to the correct definitions:

self-catering, luggage, a pier, a guest, a supplement, a five star hotel, a receptionist, full board, a cot, a lift

1. a wooden structure that is built into the sea and has entertainment facilities on it

2. the best type of hotel

3. a person who works on the desk when you enter a business

4. a person staying in a hotel

5. a bedfor a baby

6. something you use in buildings instead of stairs

7. anextrapayment

8. all meals are provided at the hotel

9. the type of holiday where the place has a kitchen so you can cook your own food

10. the bags for your clothes when you are travelling

3. Vocabulary. Choose the correct word

1. The thing you use to get dry after taking a shower is a …

a) shampoo

b) towel

c) rug

2. The object in a bedroom that two people can sleep on is a …

a) single bed

b) cot

c) double bed

3. The place in a hotel where you check in and check out is the …

a) reception

b) lift

c) car park

4. The object in a bedroom that just one person can sleep on is a …

a) single bed

b) bedroom

c) bathroom

5. The person in a hotel who can listen to and solve the customers' problems is the …

a) housekeeper

b) chef

c) manager

6. The room where people sleep is the …

a) bathroom

b) bedroom

c) reception

7. The room where people have a shower and brush their teeth is the …

a) reception

b) bedroom

c) bathroom

8. The thing you rest your head on when going to sleep is a …

a) pillow

b) towel

c) blanket

9. The electronic machine that carries people to a different floor is the …

a) lift

b) stairs

c) gym

10. The machine that provides water that we use to wash our body and hair is a …

a) pool

b) shower

c) hairdryer

4. Reading. Look at the most common questions that are asked in a hotel. Which one isn't that common?

1. Whattimeisbreakfast?

2. Is there a restaurant, and is breakfast included?

3. Istherefree WIFI?

4. Do I need a WIFI password?

5. What time do I need to check out?

6. Is there any chance I could get a late checkout?

7. Do I need to pay now or should I pay when I check out?

8. Do you have any vegetarian options on the menu?

9. Is the meal halal/kosher/organic?

10. What time does room service finish?

11. Is there somewhere I can park my car?

12. How much does the parking cost?

13. Do I need to wear a swimming cap in the pool?

14. Is there somewhere I can leave my luggage?

15. I think there is a monster under my bed. Can someone please come and check?

16. Could you change my room, please? Itsmellsofsmoke.

17. We have a baby. Do you have a travel cot that we could use? 

18. Could you book me a taxi for 9 o' clock tomorrow morning?

19. Could you bring a couple of extra towels to my room, please?

20. What floor is the restaurant/gym/pool on?

21. Does one side of the hotel have a better view or less noise?

22. Is the hotel near public transportation?

23. How far is the hotel from the beach/theater/meeting/convention center/highway?

24. How safe is the neighborhood?

25. What is the hotel’s cancellation policy?

26. Does the hotel offer smoking/nonsmoking rooms?

27. What facilities are there for the disabled?

5. Reading. These are the answers to the above questions. Decide which of the questions they answer. 

1. That shouldn't be a problem, sir. We are not fully booked tomorrow so you can check out as late as 5 o' clock. 

2. There are always a number of dishes for non-meat eaters, madam.

3. Hot food is available until eleven with sandwiches and cold snacks available 24 hours.

4. If there is no street parking available we have a small car park available for a nominal charge.

5. It's from seven o' clock in the dining room on the first floor.

6. It's on the fifth floor and is open until nine.

7. No problem, madam. Can you tell me your destination?

8. Yes, of course, sir. I will send someone with a big stick to your room right away!

9. I'm terribly sorry about that. The floor you are on is a designated no smoking floor but we should be able to find another room due to the problem.

10. WIFI is available for free in all the public areas of the hotel and is available for a small fee in individual bedrooms.

6. Speaking. In pairs ask and answer the questions in exercise 4.

Making a Reservation on the phone

1. Reading. Read the dialogue

A: "Thank you for calling Grand Hotel. How can I help you?"
B: "I would like to reserve a room, but what are your rates?"
A: "Our prices start at $50 a night for a standard room."
B: "Great. Can you reserve a room for me?"
A: "Sure. What day do you want to check in?"

B: "I will be checking in on June the 23rd."
A: "How long will you be staying with us?"
B: "I'll need the room for five nights."
A: "Ok. I have you coming in on the 23rd of June and checking out on the 28th. Is that correct?"
B: "Yes."
A: "How many adults?Total?"
B: "Two adults and three kids."
A: "How old are the children?"
B: "6, 9 and 10."
A: "Would you like one room or two rooms?"
B: "Just one is fine."
A: "Would you like a smoking room or a non-smoking room?"
B: "Non-smoking room please."
A: "Can I have your last name?"
B: "Williams."
A: "Your first name"
B: "Steve. That's S T E V E."
A: "Let me confirm the information Mr. Williams I have one non-smoking double room with 2 adults and 3 children from June 23rd to June 28th. Is this correct?"
B: "Yes."
A: "The total comes to $350. Can I have your credit card number?"
B: "Sure. It is 234 5678 9012."
A: "What is the name on the credit card?"
B: "Steve Williams."
A: "I have the room reserved for you. If you need to cancel, please call us 24 hours before your check in date. Failure to cancel will result in a one day charge on your credit card. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
B: "Yes, one more question. What time can we check in?"
A: "We can check you in by 2:00p.m."
B: "Great. Thank you."
A: "Thank you and have a great day."
B: "Thanks. Bye"
A: "Good bye."

2. Speaking. Make up a dialogue using prompts below and questions from exercise 4.