Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION

ANSWER

Luxury hotel accommodation throughout Spain usually in

What type of
historic buildings. There are some modern hotels in the
accommodation is this? group that are usually in areas of great beauty or special
interest.
Are bathrooms ensuite?

Yes

Do the Paradores have

a Restaurant?

Yes, with the exception of the Parador at Hondarribia

where there is a restaurant nearby.

Is the accommodation
suitable for children?

Children are welcome however, the furniture, furnishings

and unprotected drops may make them unsuitable for
young children.

How do I make a
reservation?

Click the link on each Parador page.

Who is my reservation
with?

We make the reservation in your name with the Parador

group using your credit card details to guarantee the
reservation. No charge is made on your credit card.

What rates will I pay if I

use your company?

Exactly the same as the Paradores charge except that

one nights accommodation is NOT taken from your card
on reservation. We also offer all the promotions and a
free booking service with experienced operators
available for advice and assistance.

What do you charge for Nothing. You only pay the Paradores if you cancel with
cancellations?
less than 2 days notice.

How do I cancel?

As the reservation is with the Parador group in your

name, cancellations must be by you with the Parador
concerned. Their telephone number will be on your
confirmation email from us. When on the telephone,
obtain the name of the person to whom you are speaking
and the cancellation number, Record these together with
the date and time and keep safely.

Is there is a minimum
length of stay?

Generally no, however there are a few exceptions at

some Paradores.

Are services charged?

Please enquire at each Parador.

Are there parking

facilities, if so is there a Depends on the Parador.
charge?
Can we hold an option
whilst we check flight
availability?

Yes, usually 24 hours.

On being presented with a bill. Please remember that no

money was taken at the time of reservation and the
How is payment made?
charge for accommodation, food ordered and services
used is payable.
What is the method of
payment?

Euros or major credit card. Any bank charges are to be

paid by the guest. Personal cheques are not accepted.

How do I guarantee my By emailing your credit card details to our secure server
reservation?
or, by faxing a signed credit card authority.
Can extra beds be
arranged?

Yes, depending on the room size.

Do the Paradores have

facilities for the
disabled?

Depends on the Parador. Please visit the page with

information for the disabled or contact us.

What is considered a
late arrival?

After 4pm you must advise the Parador direct.

What is the cancellation The Paradores cancellation policy is : No penalty if

policy?
cancelled up to 48 hours prior to arrival.
If I need to cancel my
reservation what do I
do?

Advise the Parador directly either by phone, fax or email.

All contact details are provided in our confirmation email.

Who are you?

We are Parapromotions Ltd. a UK registered limited

company and we assist Paradores de Turismo de
Espana, S.A. with the promotion of their accommodation
in the English speaking market.

Do I need a Passport
/ID card or Visa?

Please check with your local Embassy or Consulate.

Please ensure documents are valid for the dates of
travel.

Are pets allowed?

No

Are flights and car hire

included?

No

How do I contact you?

reservations@parapromotions-spain.com
Tel : + 351 258 820 150
Fax : + 351 258 828 852

Booking a hotel room

Id like to book a room please.

Receptionist:

Mrs Ryefield:

Receptionist:

Mrs Ryefield:

Receptionist:

Mrs Ryefield:

Receptionist:

Good afternoon, San Felice Hotel. May I help you?

Yes. Id like to book a room, please.
Certainly. When for, madam?
March the 23rd.
How long will you be staying?
Three nights.
What kind of room would you like, madam?

Mrs Ryefield:

Er... double with bath. Id appreciate it if you could give me a room with a view
over the lake.

Receptionist:

Certainly, madam. Ill just check what we have available. . . Yes, we have a room
on the 4th floor with a really splendid view.

Mrs Ryefield:

Receptionist:

Mrs Ryefield:

Receptionist:

Mrs Ryefield:

Receptionist:

Mrs Ryefield:

Receptionist:

Mrs Ryefield:

Fine. How much is the charge per night?

Would you like breakfast?
No, thanks.
Its eighty four euro per night excluding VAT.
Thats fine.
Whos the booking for, please, madam?
Mr and Mrs Ryefield, thats R-Y-E-F-I-E-L-D.
Okay, let me make sure I got that: Mr and Mrs Ryefield. Double with bath for
March the 23rd, 24th and 25th. Is that correct?
Yes it is. Thank you.

Receptionist:

Mrs Ryefield:

Let me give you your confirmation number. Its: 7576385. Ill repeat that:
7576385. Thank you for choosing San Felice Hotel and have a nice day.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.

Target Language:
Front Desk: Welcome to the Wyatt Hotel. How may I help you?

Traveler: I'd like a room please?

Front Desk: Would you like a single or a double?

Traveler: I'd like a double, please?

Front Desk: May I have your name, please?
Traveler: Timothy Findley.
Front Desk: Could you spell that please?

Traveler: F-I-N-D-L-E-Y.
Front Desk: How many are in your party?
Traveler: Just two.
Front Desk: How many nights would you like to stay?
Traveler: Just tonight.
Front Desk: How will you be paying?
Traveler: Is Visa OK?

Front Desk: That'll be fine. Would you like a wake-up call?

Traveler: Yes, I'd like a wake-up call for 6:30. Do you have a pool?
Front desk: Yes, we do. On the 2nd floor. Here's your key. That room 405 on the
fourth floor.

Role Plays in the ESL Classroom

by Lynne Hand

Instructions to the English teacher

It is not enough merely to provide students with opportunities to speak in English, as teachers we need to
encourage students to speak in a variety of different situations, and hence help them to learn to speak with
confidence. The ideal would be to travel to different locations and carry out different tasks, the next best thing
however is to enact those situations in a classroom.
However, many teachers and students in an ESL class dread the words role-play. Even though there is little
consensus on the terms used in role-playing literature. Just a few of the terms which are used, often
interchangeably, are "simulation," "game," "role-play," "simulation-game," "role-play simulation," and "roleplaying game" (Crookall and Oxford, 1990a).
The effective use of role-plays can add variety to the kinds of activities students are asked to perform. It
encourages thinking and creativity; lets students develop and practice new language and behavioural skills in a
relatively safe setting, and can create the motivation and involvement necessary for real learning to occur.

Effective Role Plays

Unlike skits, role plays shouldn't be scripted out in detail, instead you should give the student a general
scenario with different elements and suggested ideas for complications to occur.
Role play cards can be a very useful tool here. For example:-

Student A
You are booking into a hotel.

Elements
Book in to the hotel - you have a reservation.

Complications
You are on your own.
You want a shower.
You want breakfast in the morning.
You have an early meeting and must not be late.

Student B
You are a hotel receptionist.

Elements
Welcome the guest.
Find them a room.

Complications
You can't find their reservation.
You only have a double room with bath available.

Before asking them to perform a role play you should prepare the students by reviewing key vocabulary and
asking questions. The questions should incorporate the major parts of the role play and the vocabulary/idioms
involved. After the question answer session the students should be comfortable with what they need to do.
Allow them a few minutes to study the role cards and work out some key sentences. Give help where needed.
Each role play should be performed at least twice with the students changing roles.
In group situations have the stronger students act out the role play to the whole class.

You as the teacher can take one of the roles if you need to.
Avoid making corrections until the role play is finished. (Keep a note pad to remind yourself of anything that
crops up, but be discreet - scribbling away furiously might put the students off.)
Don't let things get out of hand. If the role play decends into a slanging match, it might be entertaining, but you
really should intervene.
Recording or videoing role plays can be a very useful tool for giving feedback, but only if the students are
comfortable with this. (In some circumstances, parental consent may also be required.)
- See more at: http://www.learnenglish.de/Teachers/roleplays.html#sthash.TOkqTLaW.dpuf