Text: On Booking a Room (with questions)

The following text is from an online travel agency. Read the text carefully and answer our questions on the text.

The hotel has 8 Standard, 6 Deluxe, 4 Family rooms and 9 Cottages. Rooms have hot and cold shower and private balcony. Room service and laundry are available. All rooms except Cottages offer air conditioning.

Each room has two single beds, Family rooms have 4 single beds. All rooms (except for Cottages) have televisions. If you wish to make a reservation or request more information simply complete the form. Our travel staff will typically respond to any request in 1 working day. A confirmation of your booking will be sent to you via e-mail (and fax if required).

If for any reason you need to cancel your booking we would ask you to do so as early as possible by e-mailing our travel staff.

QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT.

1) Showers

There are no showers in the Cottages.
There is a shower in every room.
Only the Cottages have showers.

2) Air Conditioning

There's no air conditioning available in the Cottages.
Air conditioning is available in every room.
Air conditioning is only available in the Cottages.

3) Except for the Family rooms, all rooms are ...

double rooms.
twin-bedded rooms.
single rooms.

4) To book a room you must ...

respond in one working day.
send a fax.
fill in a form.

5) Everyone who makes a reservation will receive a confirmation via ...

fax.
e-mail.
air-mail.

Exercise: On Booking a Room

COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH THE CORRECT WORD.

tomorrow, name, spell, book, stay, when, floor, like, night, much, reservation,

a) Hotel Beach House, can I _____ you?

b) I'm phoning to _____ a room.

a) _____ would you like to arrive?

b) Tomorrow.

a) How many nights are you going to _____ ?

b) Two nights.

a) What kind of room would you _____ ?

b) A double room with a shower.

a) Just a moment, I'll check. ... We have a nice room on the second _____.

b) How _____ is it?

a) It's $25 per person and _____, breakfast included.

b) That's a good price. I'd like to make a _____ for that room, please.

a) Very well. May I have your _____, please?

b) Conners.

a) Could you _____ that, please?

b) It's C-O-N-N-E-R-S.

a) Thank you for your reservation. See you _____.

Exercise: On Accomodations.

FILL IN WITH THE CORRECT WORDS.

advance, bunk beds, dormitory, double room, family room, key, reception, single room, twin room, vacancies

If you book a room for one person, you usually book a _____.

If you want a room with a double bed, you book a _____.

If you want a room with two separated beds, you book a _____.

For families there are usually special offers if they take a _____.

In youth hostels rooms are often shared by 10 or more people. This kind of room is called _____.

To get 10 people into one room, two beds are usually placed on top of each other. They are called _____.

No matter where you're staying, you usually have to fill in a form at the _____.

Then the receptionist tells you your room number and gives you the _____ for your room.

During high season it's advisable to book a room in _____.

If a B&B is fully booked, they usually have a sign in the window saying »No _____«.

Spanish for Travelers.

Where do travelers usually spent more time than any other single place? In their hotel, of course.
And if they're in a Spanish-speaking country and not sleeping, the hotel is as good a place as any to practice Spanish — either when looking for a place to spend the night or in getting the services you need. Learn these words before you'll depart and they'll help make your stay a bit easier:

el alojamiento — lodging
el balneario — spa, resort
el baño — bathroom
el bungalow — bungalow
el bar — bar, café
el café — coffeeshop
la caja de seguridad — safe
la cama — bed
la cama de matrimonio — double bed
la cama de monja — single bed
el conserje — concierge
la convención — convention
la cuenta — the bill
la disco, la discoteca — discotheque
el estacionamiento — parking
el gimnasio — gymnasium
la habitación — room, unit
la habitación sencilla — single room
la habitación doble — double room
la habitación triple — triple room
el hielo — ice
al hospedaje — lodging
el hotel — hotel
el hotelero, la hotelera — hotel-keeper
el huésped, la húspueda — guest, host
de lujo — deluxe
el motel — motel
la pensión — guesthouses, bed-and-breakfast
la piscina — swimming pool
el piso — floor
el piso bajo — ground floor
la posada — inn
la propina — tip
la reserva, la reservación — reservation
el restaurante — restaurant
el servicio de habitaciones, el servicio en cuarto — room service
el salón de convenciones — convention hall
la suite — suite
la tarifa — cost
la ubicación — location
la vista — view
la vista al mar — sea or ocean view

VOCABLARY NOTES.

Spanglish: It isn't unusual, particularly at upper-end hotels, to see English words used to describe certain facilities or services.

Checking Guests *In* and *Out*

CHECK *IN*...

Front Desk Receptionist
What name is the reservation under?
How long will you be staying?
Are you planning on checking out tomorrow?
I'm afraid you can't check in until after 4:00 pm.
What type of vehicle are you driving?
Do you know the license plate number of your vehicle?
Complimentary breakfast is served in the lobby between 8 and 10 am.
I'll give you two room keys.
The dining room is on the main floor at the end of the hall.
The weight room and sauna are on the top floor.
Just call the front desk if you need any extra towels or pillows.

GUEST.

We have a reservation under Jill McMann.
Do you have any vacancies?
Is the hotel booked, or can we get a room for tonight?
How do we get to our room from here?
Is it okay to park out front?
What time is the pool open until?
What time is breakfast served at?
Is it too early to check in?
Can we get a wake-up call?
When is check out time?

CHECK *OUT*...

Front Desk Receptionist
Are you ready to check out?
What room were you in?
How was your stay?
Was everything satisfactory?
Will you be putting this on your card?
And how will you be paying for this?
Would you like to speak to the hotel manager on duty?
I'll just need your room keys, please.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday.
Have a safe trip home.

GUEST.

We're checking out of room 401.
Sorry we're a bit late checking-out.
I'm afraid we overslept/slept in.
We really enjoyed our stay.
We have a few complaints.
We'll be back next time we're in town.

SAMPLE CONVERSATION.

Receptionist: Hi there. Are you checking out now?

Guest: Yes, sorry. I know we're a few minutes late.

Receptionist: That's no problem. It's always really busy at check out time anyway.

Guest: Oh, really. The last hotel we stayed in charged us for a late check out.

Receptionist: The hotel isn't booked this week, so it's not a problem. How was everything?

Guest: The room was great. The beds were really comfortable, and we weren't expecting our own fridge.

Receptionist: I'm glad you liked it.

Guest: The kids were disappointed that the pool wasn't open this morning, though.

Receptionist: I apologize for that. We can't get a cleaner in any earlier than 10 am.

Guest: Well we had a nice swim last night anyhow.

Receptionist: Will you be putting this on your credit card?

Guest: No. I'll pay cash.

Receptionist: OK. So the total comes to $123.67, including tax.

Guest: I thought it was $115 even. That's what they said yesterday when we checked in.

Receptionist: Yes, but there is an extra room charge on your bill.

Guest: Oh, I forgot. My husband ordered a plate of nachos. Sorry.

Receptionist: No problem. So...from $140, here's your change. Now, I'll just need to ask you for your room keys.

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING.

1 Why does the guest apologize when she arrives at the front desk?
a) She forgot to pay.
b) She is late checking out.
c) Her kids used the pool when it was closed.
d) Her credit card isn't working.

2 Which of the following did the woman's family NOT like about the hotel?
a) The pool hours
b) The room
c) The beds
d) The rate

3 What was the woman charged for besides the room rate?
a) telephone use
b) room service
c) pool towels
d) a late fee

Taking a Reservation.

FRONT DESK RECEPTIONIST.

a) Enterprise Hotels, Lisa speaking. How can I help you?
b) What date are you looking for?
c) How long will you be staying?
d) How many adults will be in the room?
e) I'm afraid we are booked that weekend.
f) There are only a few vacancies left.
h) We advise that you book in advance during peak season.
i) Will two double beds be enough?
j) Do you want a smoking or non-smoking room?
k) The dining room is open from 4 pm until 10 pm.
l) We have an indoor swimming pool and sauna.
m) We serve a continental breakfast.
n) Cable television is included, but the movie channel is extra.
o) Take Exit 8 off the highway and you'll see us a few kilometers up on the left hand side.
p) The rate I can give you is 99.54 with tax.
q) We require a credit card number for a deposit.

GUEST

a) I'd like to make a reservation for next week.
b) Is it necessary to book ahead?
c) Do you charge extra for two beds?
d) How much is it for a cot?
e) Do you offer free breakfast?
f) Is there a restaurant in the hotel?
g) Do the rooms have refrigerators?
h) Do you do group bookings?
i) Is there an outdoor pool?
j) Do you have any cheaper rooms?
k) When is it considered off- season?

SAMPLE CONVERSATION.

Receptionist: Thanks for calling Holiday Inn. Morine speaking.

Caller: Hello. I'm interested in booking a room for the September's long weekend.

Receptionist: I'm afraid we're totally booked for that weekend. There's a convention in town and we're the closest hotel to the convention centre.

Caller: Oh, I didn't realize. Well what about the weekend after that?
Receptionist: So... Friday the seventeenth?

Caller: Yes. Friday and Saturday.

Receptionist: It looks like we have a few vacancies left. We recommend that you make a reservation, though. It's still considered peak season then.

Caller: Okay. Do you have any rooms with two double beds? We're a family of four.

Receptionist: Yes, all of our rooms have two double beds. The rate for that weekend is $129 dollars a night.

Caller: That's reasonable. And do you have cots? One of my daughters might be bringing a friend.

Receptionist: We do, but we also charge an extra ten dollars per person for any family with over four people. The cot is free.

Caller: Okay, but I'm not positive if she is coming. Can we pay when we arrive?

Receptionist: Yes, but we do require a fifty dollar credit card deposit to hold the room. You can cancel up to five days in advance and we will refund your deposit.

Caller: Great, I'll call you right back. I have to find my husband's credit card.

Receptionist: Okay. Oh, and just to let you know...our outdoor pool will be closed, but our indoor pool is open.

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING.

1 Why did the caller phone this hotel? _____.
a) To change a reservation.
b) To report a cancellation.
c) To inquire about available rooms and rates.
d) To inquire about local amenities.

2 Why can't the caller stay at the hotel on the September long weekend? _____
a) The hotel is closed for the season.
b) The hotel is booked.
c) The hotel is holding a convention.
d) The hotel only has single rooms available.

3 Why does the caller have to hang up and call back? _____
a) She wants to research other hotels.
b) She needs to discuss things with her husband.
c) She has to find out if there will be four or five people staying.
d) She needs to find the credit card to pay for the deposit.

Hotel Vocabulary Quiz 1

HOLIDAY INN in MOSCOW
WRITE THE CORRECT LETTER TO FINISH THE SENTENCES.

1 If you've never been to this city, you should take a look at our _____.
a) menu
b) brochures
c) front desk
d) inn.

2 We do not have a _____ You'll have to park your car yourself.
a) room
b) dinner
c) laundry
d) valet service.

3 The room has a pull _____ so it will sleep an extra person.
a) off
b) over
c) out
d) on couch,

4 We don't have any vacancies. We are completely _____.
a) vacant
b) booked
c) complimentary
d) closed.

5 After your long conference you can relax in the _____.
a) kitchenette
b) parking lot
c) hot tub
d) front desk.

6 I'll call housekeeping and ask them to bring you some fresh _____.
a) milk
b) dinner
c) linen
d) ice.

7 If you need to do your workout we have a _____.
a) weight room
b) restaurant
c) library
d) telephone on the third floor.

8 I'll let you voice your complaint about the rate to the _____.
a) housekeeper
b) valet driver
c) hotel manager
d) chef.

9 Please put your used _____in the basket and leave unused ones hanging on the rack.
a) dishes
b) towels
c) menus
d) keys

10. If you need a midnight snack there's a _____ full of potato chips on your floor.
a) bellboy
b) kitchenette
c) cot
d) vending machine