12 Phrases for Your Hotel Stay — Easy English Conversation

Transcript

Introduction

A: Today we’re spending one night in a hotel — from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave.

B: Twelve phrases. Listen for these six: I have a reservation under…, Can I leave my bags here?, Is breakfast included?, My key card isn’t working, a wake-up call, and Could I get a late checkout?

A: We’ll go through the stay step by step, then put it all together in one trip, and finish with a short practice where you answer out loud.

B: You can practice today’s phrases in Recursio — link in the description.

A: So, let’s walk into the lobby.

Arriving

B: You’ve had a long trip. You walk into the lobby with your suitcase. Where do you go first?

A: To the desk where the hotel staff are.

B: That desk has a name: the front desk. It’s where you check in, check out, and ask for almost anything.

A: The front desk. Is it the same as “reception”?

B: Yes. You’ll hear “reception” too, and it’s very common in British English. In American hotels, “the front desk” is the usual name. “I’ll ask at the front desk.” “Call the front desk if you need anything.”

A: So if something goes wrong in my room, I call the front desk.

B: Exactly. In many hotels, you can call from the room phone. Okay, you’re at the front desk. The clerk smiles and says, “Hi, welcome! Checking in?” What do you say?

A: “Yes. I booked a room.”

B: That works. But here’s a phrase that gives the clerk exactly what they need: I have a reservation under… and then your name.

A: “I have a reservation under Miller.”

B: Perfect. “Under” plus the name the booking is in. It could be your last name, or a friend’s name, or your company’s name: “We have a reservation under Brightline Travel.”

A: Why “under”?

B: Think of a list of names. Your booking is filed under that name. The same phrase works in a restaurant: “We have a table under Garcia.”

A: And then they ask for my ID and a card.

B: Usually, yes. Some hotels also put a temporary hold on your card for incidentals, such as food or drinks you might charge to the room. A hold isn’t the same as a final charge.

A: Now, what if I arrive too early? My flight lands at nine in the morning, and check-in is at three.

B: That happens all the time. You can’t go to your room yet, but you don’t want to carry your suitcase around the city. So you ask: Can I leave my bags here?

A: “Can I leave my bags here?” And they say?

B: Very often, “Sure, we can hold them for you.” They give you a little ticket, and you pick up your bags later.

A: “We can hold them.” So “hold” is the hotel’s word.

B: It’s one common way to say it. You’ll also hear “luggage storage.” And the same question works after checkout: your flight is at night, you’ve left the room, and you want to explore the city one last time.

A: “Can I leave my bags here until six?”

B: That’s a perfect sentence.

In the room

A: Okay, it’s three o’clock. I have my key card, I’m in the room, and the first thing I do is…

B: Look for the Wi-Fi.

A: Honestly, yes.

B: Everyone does. And if you can’t find it, the question is short: What’s the Wi-Fi password?

A: “What’s the Wi-Fi password?” How do I say “Wi-Fi”? Some people say it differently.

B: In American English, people usually say “WHY-fye.” The password may be on a card in the room or on the envelope for your key card.

A: Good tip. Look at the key card envelope first.

B: Next: you take a shower, and there’s only one towel. Two people, one towel.

A: That’s a problem.

B: A small one. You call the front desk and say: Could I have an extra towel?

A: “Could I have an extra towel?” And if I need more than one?

B: “Could I have a couple of extra towels?” or “Could we get some more towels?” The same pattern works for anything: an extra pillow, an extra blanket.

A: “Could I have an extra pillow?” That’s useful. I always need two.

B: Now, something goes wrong. You go down for dinner, you come back, you hold your card to the door… and the little light turns red.

A: Oh no. It happens to me every time.

B: It happens. A magnetic-stripe card can be affected by a magnet, like one in a phone case. Whatever the cause, you can go to the front desk and say: My key card isn’t working.

A: “My key card isn’t working.” Simple.

B: Simple and clear. Usually they make you a new one in a minute. You can add your room number: “My key card isn’t working. I’m in room four-twelve.”

A: “Four-twelve.” Not “four hundred and twelve”?

B: For room numbers, people usually say the numbers in small groups: four-twelve, eleven-oh-five. It’s shorter.

A: And the last problem in the room. It’s summer, it’s hot, and the air conditioning makes a noise but nothing cold comes out.

B: Then you call the front desk: The air conditioning isn’t working.

A: Can I say “the AC”?

B: Yes, “the AC” is very common in American English: “The AC isn’t working.” And notice the pattern. It’s the same as the key card: something plus “isn’t working.”

A: The TV isn’t working. The shower isn’t working.

B: Exactly. One pattern, and you can report almost any problem. You could also say “There’s a problem with my room” — we had that one in an earlier episode — and then explain.

A: And what do they say?

B: Often, “I’m sorry about that. I’ll send someone up.” That means a staff member will come to your room.

A: “I’ll send someone up.” Because my room is upstairs.

B: Right.

A: Quick tip before we go on. If you’re traveling soon, save these phrases in Recursio and review them before your trip.

Food and services

B: Now let’s talk about food. You booked the room online, and you can’t remember the details. One question clears it up: Is breakfast included?

A: “Is breakfast included?” Included in the price.

B: Yes. If it is, you’ll hear, “Yes, breakfast is included. It’s from six-thirty to ten in the restaurant on the first floor.”

A: And if it isn’t?

B: Then maybe, “No, but you can add it for fifteen dollars.” Then you decide.

A: “Included” works for other things too, right?

B: Of course. “Is parking included?” “Is Wi-Fi included?” It’s a very useful word when you travel.

A: Now, it’s late. The restaurant is closed, I’m tired, and I’m hungry.

B: Then you might order room service. That’s food that the hotel brings to your room.

A: How do I order it?

B: Usually there’s a menu in the room, or a QR code. You call and say, “Hi, I’d like to order room service. Could I get a club sandwich and a cup of tea?”

A: Is it expensive?

B: It often costs more than the restaurant, and there may be a delivery charge. But at eleven at night, it can be worth it.

A: Fair enough. Last one in this group. I want to go for a run early tomorrow, and I’m afraid I won’t hear my alarm.

B: Then you ask for a wake-up call. The hotel phone rings at the time you choose, to wake you up.

A: “Could I get a wake-up call at six?”

B: Perfect. Some hotels do it with a real person, some with an automatic message. And here’s a common mistake: people say, “Can you call me to wake up?” It’s understandable, but “a wake-up call” is the phrase the hotel uses.

A: That’s the one from today’s short video, isn’t it?

B: It is. And “a wake-up call” has a second meaning, too. It can mean a surprising event that makes you see a problem. “Failing that test was a wake-up call.”

A: So, a phone call at six, or a big surprise. Both wake you up.

B: That’s a nice way to remember it.

Leaving

A: Next morning. Time to go home. Or at least, time to leave the room.

B: And the important question is: What time is checkout?

A: “Checkout” — one word?

B: As a noun, yes: “checkout,” “checkout time.” As a verb, it’s two words: “I need to check out by eleven.”

A: So, “What time is checkout?” “Checkout is at eleven.” “I’ll check out at ten.”

B: Exactly. You’ll also hear “checkout” in a store, as in “checkout counter,” where you pay.

A: Okay, checkout is at eleven, but my flight is at six in the evening. I’d love to stay in the room a bit longer.

B: A late checkout means staying in the room past the usual checkout time. You can ask: Could I get a late checkout?

A: And they say yes?

B: It depends. Sometimes it’s free, if the hotel isn’t full. Sometimes there’s a fee. A common answer is, “We can give you until one o’clock,” or “Late checkout is available for an extra thirty dollars.”

A: So it’s worth asking.

B: It’s often worth asking. You could ask the day before, or early in the morning. And if they say no, you have an earlier phrase…

A: “Can I leave my bags here?”

B: Exactly. The phrases work together.

One night at the Harbor Hotel

A: Let’s put all twelve together. I’m the guest, and you’re the clerk at the Harbor Hotel.

B: Good morning! Welcome to the Harbor Hotel. Checking in?

A: Hi. I have a reservation under Miller, but I know I’m early.

B: That’s fine, Mr. Miller. Your room will be ready at three.

A: Can I leave my bags here while I see the city?

B: Of course. We’ll hold them for you. Here’s your ticket.

A: Thanks. Is breakfast included?

B: Yes. It’s served from six-thirty to ten in the restaurant next to the front desk.

A: Great. I’ll be back this afternoon.

B: Good afternoon, Mr. Miller. Your room is ready. The front desk number is on your key card envelope if you need us.

A: Thanks. I’ll go up and take a look.

B: Front desk. How can I help you?

A: Hi, this is room four-twelve. What’s the Wi-Fi password?

B: It’s on the back of that envelope. It’s “harbor” with two sevens.

A: Got it. And could I have an extra towel? There’s only one in the room.

B: Of course. I’ll send one up.

A: One more thing: the air conditioning isn’t working. It’s warm in there.

B: I’m sorry about that. I’ll send someone from maintenance to check it.

A: Thank you. I’ll go for a walk while they look at it.

B: Good evening, Mr. Miller. Maintenance says your air conditioning is working now.

A: Good to hear. The walk was lovely, but now my key card isn’t working.

B: Let me make you a new one. Here you go.

A: Thanks. Is room service still available? I’d like dinner when I get upstairs.

B: Yes, until eleven. You’ll find the menu in your room.

A: Great. Could I get a wake-up call at six? I want to run by the harbor before breakfast.

B: Certainly. Six o’clock. I’ve put it in the system.

A: Good morning. I enjoyed the run and breakfast. What time is checkout?

B: It’s at eleven.

A: Could I get a late checkout? My flight leaves at six this evening.

B: We can give you until one, at no extra charge.

A: Wonderful. Can I leave my bags here after one, until I head to the airport?

B: Of course. We can hold them at the front desk.

A: Thank you. That makes the day much easier.

B: You’re welcome, Mr. Miller. Enjoy the rest of your day.

Practice

A: You just heard all twelve phrases. Now it’s your turn. Answer out loud in the pause, then listen to our answer. First one: you arrive at the hotel, and your booking is in your last name, Lee. What do you say at the front desk?

B: Hi, I have a reservation under Lee.

A: “Under” plus the name on the booking.

B: You arrive at nine in the morning, but check-in is at three. You don’t want to carry your suitcase all day. What do you ask?

A: Can I leave my bags here?

B: The hotel may say, “Sure, we can hold them for you.”

A: You’re in your room. You can’t connect to the internet, and there’s only one towel. What two questions could you ask?

B: What’s the Wi-Fi password? Could I have an extra towel?

A: A short question for the password, and “Could I have…” for something you need.

B: Your door won’t open with your card, and your room is very hot. What do you say about both problems?

A: My key card isn’t working. The air conditioning isn’t working.

B: One pattern for both: something plus “isn’t working.”

A: You want to know if the room price includes the morning meal, and you want the phone to ring at six tomorrow. What do you say?

B: Is breakfast included? Could I get a wake-up call at six?

A: “Included” for the price, and “a wake-up call” — not “call me to wake up.”

B: It’s your last morning. What two questions could you ask about checkout time and staying in the room a little longer?

A: What time is checkout? Could I get a late checkout?

B: “Checkout” as one word, because it’s a noun here.

Outro

A: Today you practiced twelve useful hotel phrases, from “I have a reservation under” to “Could I get a late checkout?”

B: You can use them from the front desk to your last morning at the hotel.

A: Open the link below and practice them in Recursio.

B: See you in the next one.