Hotel essentials English vocabulary exercise part 1
Staying in hotels is a very common experience, both on holiday and when away on business. And because English is now the international language, the majority of hotels in the world have staff/employees who speak English and information that is written in English. So, it is important that you know the meaning of words and phrases which are commonly used in them.
In this first of two online exercise on hotels, you will learn and remember the essential English vocabulary for staying at hotels and in hotel rooms (the place where you sleep). You will also learn the names of the different eating options you can have at hotels.
This exercise is useful for not only staying in a hotel but for also making a reservation. In addition, this exercise can be both used by people staying at hotels (guests) and people who work hotels.
When you have done this exercise, you should do the second part of the exercise. In the second part, you'll learn the English names of the different types of rooms and the different services and facilities in a hotel.
To learn the English phrases used when you arrive at a hotel, do our exercise on 'English vocabulary for arriving/checking in at a hotel'.
Exercise: Describing a hotel
Read the following conversation between the manager of a hotel and a new employee. The manager is explaining to the the new employee how the hotel works and what they have to do.
From the context, try to guess what the meaning of the words/phrases in bold are. Then do the quiz at the end to check if you are right.
Manager:'So, you will be working here in reception near the entrance of the hotel. Your main responsibility is to speak to and help the hotel's guests. These are our customers and they pay to stay here. So you should be polite.'
New Employee:'So, when a new guest arrives and they want their key to their room, they want to check in, I have to take their name and information and then give them their key?'
Manager:'Yes, but you need to see first if they have a reservation here. Most of our guests book their rooms through the internet or by phone before they come. So their names will be on the computer system. But you have some people who want a room and haven't booked a room or made a reservation before they arrive. If we are fully booked, there are no rooms available, then you apologise and say that there are no rooms. If there are rooms available, then take all their details and information and check them in.'
New Employee:'Does the hotel provide meals to the guests who have a room?'
Manager:'Yes we do. There are four different options for meals. Some of the guests will have paid for a room and full board. This means that breakfast, lunch and dinner in the hotel are included in the price/rate they paid. There is also half board. This means that breakfast and dinner in the hotel are included in the price they paid.
We also have some guests that have paid for bed and breakfast, where breakfast in the hotel is only included in the price they paid for the room. There are a few guests who have paid for room only, where no meals in the hotels are included in the price they have paid. If they want breakfast etc..., they have to pay for it.'
New Employee:'So 'room only' is a different name for self-catering?'
Manager:'It's similar but different. 'Self-catering' is where the room has a kitchen in it where the guests can cook their own meals or food. None of our rooms have a kitchen inside of them, so we don't offer 'self-catering'.'
New Employee:'Ok, I understand. I have a question. What happens if the room isn't ready when the guest arrives at the hotel?'
Manager:'If the room is being cleaned or is still occupied, then politely ask them to wait in the lounge. The lounge is the place near reception with comfortable sofas and chairs where the guests can relax, read a newspaper or have a drink.'
New Employee:'Ok.'
Manager:'If they don't want to wait and would prefer to go out of the hotel, then offer to store or keep their luggage and bags, so they can visit places without carrying them.'
New Employee:'Ok.'
Manager:'When the room is ready and the guests want to check in, then you have to take all their details, like name and address and then check their ID. Then give them the room key.'
New Employee:'And when they check out at the end of the time they are staying in the hotel?'
Manager:'When they are checking out/leaving the hotel, you need take the room key from them and give a copy of their bill. The bill is the piece of paper that shows how much money they have to pay us. After that take the money off the guest and say goodbye.'
Quiz:
Below is a definition/description of each of the words/phrases in bold from the above text (which you can also find in the grey box below). Answer each question with one of these words/phrases in bold. Only use one word/phrase once and write it as it is in the text. Click on the "Check" button at the bottom of the quiz to check your answers.
When the answer is correct, two icons will appear next to the answer. The 
icon contains extra information about the word/phrase. In the 
icon, you can listen to the pronunciation of the word/phrase.
Words/phrases to use in the quiz
Practice
Now that you understand the meaning of the words/phrases and when to use them, practise using them by creating your own sentences with them in English. Also click on the "" icon next to each correct answer and listen how each is pronounced correctly.
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