Types of room

double room = room with a double bed (for two people)

twin room = room with two beds
single room = room with one bed (for one person)
suite = more than one room (e.g. bedroom and living room
cot = a bed for a baby

Availability

fully-booked = no rooms available

Other facilities

ensuite bathroom = a bathroom attached to the bedroom

a safe = a box with a key where you put valuables (passport, jewellery, money etc)
a minibar = a small fridge with drinks inside such as coke, water, juice, wine
tea and coffee making facilities = a kettle (to boil water), cups, coffee, milk, sugar and tea sachets
(24-hour) room service = meals delivered to your room
laundry / dry cleaning service = your clothes can be washed for you
bar and restaurant = the hotel has a bar and a restaurant for drinks and meals
wifi = internet connection (pronounced wai – fai)
full English breakfast = big breakfast with toast, eggs, bacon, cereal, etc
continental breakfast = small breakfast with croissant, coffee, juice
a wake-up call = when the telephone rings to wake you up

Making the booking

Here are some phrases you can use on the phone to make a booking in English.

I'd like to book a (single / double / twin) room for two nights, please.
I'd like to make a reservation for a (single / double / twin) room for the night of (date), please.
(a reservation = a booking)

Do you have any double rooms left for the weekend?

Do you have any double rooms available this weekend?
(left = available)

How much is… a single room / a double room / a suite?

What time is check-in? (check-in = when you arrive and give your passport information)
What time is check-out? (when you leave and pay)
What time is breakfast?

Are all your rooms ensuite? (= with bathroom)

Is there wifi in the room?
Is there a lift? (life / elevator)
Unit 7.1: Reserving a Hotel Room
 Guest - Reserving a Hotel Room over the Phone

o Hello, can I reserve a room over the phone, please?

o Hi, I'd like to reserve a double room, please.
o Hello, I want to reserve a single room for next week.
o Hello, I'd like to book a twin room, please.

 Guest - Asking for a Room at a Hotel

o Do you have any vacancies?

o Do you have any vacant single room?
o Do you have a double room available for 3 nights?
o Can I book a room for tonight?
o I need a room for 2 nights.
o I'd like a single, non-smoking room for tonight, please.
o I'd like a double room with two beds, please.
o What's the room rate for a single room?

 Clerk - Common Questions to ask a Guest

o How long will you be staying?

o How many nights will you be staying?
o Do you have a reservation?
o Would you like a smoking or non-smoking room?
o Would you like a double bed or twin beds?
o May I have your name and phone number please?
o May I ask you to fill out this form for me please?

Examples:

Dialog 1: (booking a room over the phone)

 Clerk: Royal Inn. How may I help you?
 Jim: Hello, I'd like to reserve a single room for next week.
 Clerk: Certainly, sir. When will you be arriving?
 Jim: Well, I'll be arriving on June 15.
 Clerk: And how many nights will you be staying?
 Jim: Two nights. I'll be leaving on June 17.
 Clerk: OK. I'll check to see if there are any vacancies. Please hold on.
 Jim: Thanks.
 Clerk: Hello, sir. There's no problem. There are rooms available on June 15.
 Jim: Great! By the way, what is the room rate?
 Clerk: US$75 per night for a single room.
 Jim: OK. Does it come with a bath?
 Clerk: Yes, all of our rooms have bath or shower.
 Jim: OK. Can I reserve a room then?
 Clerk: Sure. May I have your name and telephone number, please?

Dialog 2: (asking for a room at a hotel 1)

 Clerk: Good evening. May I help you?
 Jim: I need a single room, please.
 Clerk: Do you have a reservation?
 Jim: No, I'm afraid I don't.
 Clerk: I'm sorry, we are fully booked.
 Jim: Oh! Do you know where I can find another hotel in this area?
 Clerk: There is a Holiday Inn across the street.
 Jim: OK. I'll try there. Thank you.

Dialog 3: (asking for a room at a hotel 2)

 Clerk: Good evening. May I help you?
 Jim: I need a single room, please.
 Clerk: Do you have a reservation?
 Jim: No, I'm afraid I don't.
 Clerk: How long will you be staying with us?
 Jim: Just one night.
 Clerk: Would you prefer a non-smoking room?
 Jim: Yes, please.
 Clerk: OK. We have a single non-smoking room on the 10th floor.
 Jim: Great! What's the room rate?
 Clerk: US$65 plus tax. Breakfast included.
 Jim: Excellent!
 Clerk: May I ask you to fill out this form for me, please?
 Jim: Sure.