You’ve arrived at your hotel after a long journey. You’re tired. The last thing you want is to struggle with English at the front desk. This guide gives you every phrase you’ll need — from reservation to checkout — so you can handle any hotel situation with confidence.

Booking a Room

By email:
– “I’d like to book a double room for 3 nights, from June 15 to June 18.”
– “Do you have availability for those dates?”
– “Could you confirm the rate per night?”
– “Is breakfast included?”
– “What is your cancellation policy?”

By phone:
– “Hello, I’d like to make a reservation, please.”
– “I need a room for two adults and one child.”
– “Do you have anything available for next weekend?”
– “What’s the difference between a standard room and a superior room?”

Checking In

When you arrive at reception:
– “Hello, I have a reservation under [your name].”
– “I booked through [Booking.com / your website].”
– “Could I have a room on a higher floor, please?”
– “Is it possible to get a room with a view?”
– “What time is checkout?”
– “Where is the elevator?” (US) / “Where is the lift?” (UK)
– “Could you tell me the Wi-Fi password?”

Useful vocabulary:
– Key card (not “badge”)
– Front desk / reception (not “accueil”)
– Lobby (the entrance area)
– Bellhop / porter (the person who carries bags)

During Your Stay

Room Requests

• “Could I get some extra towels, please?”
• “Could you send up an extra pillow?”
• “Is there an iron I can use?”
• “Could I have a late checkout tomorrow?”
• “Could you arrange a wake-up call for 7 AM?”

Reporting Problems

• “Excuse me, the air conditioning doesn’t seem to be working.”
• “There’s no hot water in my room.”
• “The Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting.”
• “My room hasn’t been cleaned yet.”
• “The people in the next room are very noisy. Is it possible to change rooms?”
• “I think there’s been a mistake with my bill.”

Polite complaint formula: “Excuse me, I don’t want to be difficult, but [problem]. Would it be possible to [solution]?”

Restaurant & Breakfast

• “What time does breakfast start?”
• “Do I need to book a table for dinner?”
• “Could I see the menu, please?”
• “I’d like the [dish], please.”
• “I’m allergic to [nuts/dairy/gluten].”
• “Could we have the bill, please?” (UK) / “Could we have the check, please?” (US)

Asking for Recommendations

• “Could you recommend a good restaurant nearby?”
• “What’s the best way to get to the city center?”
• “Are there any interesting sights within walking distance?”
• “Could you call a taxi for me?”

Checking Out

• “I’d like to check out, please.”
• “Could I leave my bags here for a few hours?”
• “Could you print my receipt?”
• “I think there’s an error on my bill — I didn’t use the minibar.”
• “Thank you for everything. We had a wonderful stay.”

French Speaker Tips

“Chamber” ≠ “chamber.” Use “room.” A “chamber” in English is a formal/political word (like a courtroom or chamber of commerce).

“The douche is broken” sounds very wrong. “Douche” has a completely different (and insulting) meaning in English. Say: “The shower is broken.”

“I want” sounds demanding. Always use “I’d like” or “Could I have” instead. “I want a room” → “I’d like a room, please.”

“The addition” is not English. For the bill at a restaurant, say “the bill” (UK) or “the check” (US). Never “the addition.”

Practice Before You Travel

Our Hotel Accommodation lesson lets you role-play every hotel scenario with a native speaker. By the time you travel, these phrases will feel automatic.

Book a session →

Related: Restaurant English: How to Order Food Confidently | 50 Travel English Phrases You Need