Staying in a hotel can be a luxurious part of a holiday or an essential part of an overnight business trip. Whether you’re booking a cosy bed and breakfast or checking into a opulent hotel chain, this page will help you learn essential hotel vocabulary and phrases for a relaxed getaway.
Staying in hotels is an integral part of travel and hospitality experiences and feeling confident communicating in English can enhance your overall stay. From checking in at reception and navigating hotel amenities to ordering room service and asking for assistance, knowing the right words and expressions will empower you to communicate effectively.
Hotel Chains in Britain
In Britain, you’ll find a diverse range of hotel options, from internationally renowned chains to charming boutique hotels. Some popular budget-friendly chains include Premier Inn, Britannia, Ibis and Travel Lodge. Moving up the price brackets, you’ll find hotel chains like Novotel, Holiday Inn and Thistle. More sophisticated hotels chains include the likes of Radisson, Crowne Plaza and Hilton. At the top end are unique luxury hotels like The Ritz or The Savoy.
The Ritz is an iconic 5-star hotel situated in the heart of Mayfair, exuding timeless elegance with lavish décor, grand ballrooms and its world-renowned afternoon tea service. The Savoy is located along the Thames River near Covent Garden, boasting a rich heritage dating back to the late 19th century and captivating guests with its Art Deco charm.
Using English at a Hotel
Hotels vocabulary concerns all the useful words and phrases you might need when staying at hotels. Hotels and B&Bs have their own special vocabulary related to the type of accommodation and the services available.
When staying at a hotel where English is the main language, you will need to make yourself understood when checking in, checking out and asking for information.
Explore our list of hotels vocabulary and phrases related to staying in bed and breakfasts for when you are travelling. Whether you are staying in a hotel, bed and breakfast, hostel, motel or another type of accommodation, our hotels vocabulary will help you communicate more confidently.
General Hotels Vocabulary
Hotel – hotels can be small boutique establishments or large chains (e.g. Holiday Inn). Hotels usually have a restaurant and bar, so you can eat there at night
Bed and breakfast (also called b & b) – B&Bs are normally smaller and cheaper than hotels. They are usually independent establishments offering breakfast but no evening meal option
Hostel – In the UK, hostels are normally the cheapest option and these often offer dormitory style rooms with multiple bunk beds. Youth hostels are ideal for young people backpacking. In Europe, hostels are often more like B&Bs and have individual bedrooms and can be high quality
Motel – Motels are traditionally hotels next to a road, such as a motorway. They are usually a cheaper option than a hotel.
Check in / Checking in – this is a verb and a noun and refers to arriving at the hotel, registering, paying any deposit and getting your keys
Check out / Checking out – this is a verb and a noun and refer to leaving the hotel, signing out, paying any outstanding bill and giving back your keys
Full board – hotel offering accommodation with all meals included
Half board – hotel offering accommodation with only one main meal per day
Star ratings – One/two/three/four/five star 1*, 2*, 3*/, 4*, 5* – Star ratings are indications of the quality of a hotel from the lowest (no stars) to the highest (5 stars). One star hotels are budget options with basic facilities, while 5 star hotels offer the highest level of service with all luxuries (or they are supposed to!)
Single room – a bedroom with one single bed (for one person)
Double room / King room – a bedroom with a double bed or king-size bed (usually for two people)
Twin room, triple room – a bedroom with two single beds or three single beds (for two or three people)
Suite – a large bedroom with sitting room, table and more facilities
Floors: First/second/third/top floor, penthouse – the highest floor of a hotel is often called the penthouse. The best room in the hotel is usually the ‘penthouse suite’
Balcony, terrace – outdoor areas accessible from your hotel room
En suite – a private bathroom accessible from inside your bedroom
Bathrooms: Private bathroom, Shared bathroom, Shared facilities – a bathroom can be private (for your use only) or it can be shared with other guests
Mini bar – a small fridge in your hotel room containing drinks and snacks (it is often very expensive to eat/drink items from the mini bar)
Room service – a service in hotels where you can ring reception and ask them to bring food and drink to your room. There will often be a separate room service menu
Views: Sea view, city view, mountain view – the view from the windows of your room can look out over the sea, the city or the mountains (or if you are unlucky, perhaps a brick wall!)
Hotel facilities can include:
- Internet access in all areas of the hotel
- Internet access in public areas only
- Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning
- Gym or Fitness Centre
- Sauna
- Beauty salon
- Hairdressing salon
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Lounge
- Breakfast room
- Cinema room
- Meeting rooms
Reception – the place where you check in /check out and ask any questions. This usually has a large desk and is always attended by a member of staff (a receptionist)
Bell boy – in some large and grand hotels this is the lift attendant
Porter – the person who carries your luggage / bags and shows you to your room
Concierge – the person who helps with various issues in a hotel, booking tickets and making reservations etc.
Other general hotel facilities:
Fire escape, wheelchair access, car park, lift / elevator (American)
Useful Phrases for Hotels
| Phrases you may want to say | |
| Do you have any vacancies? | Do you have a curfew? |
| I have a reservation | What time do you serve breakfast? |
| I’d like to make a reservation/booking | Can I get room service? |
| I booked online | I’d like a single/double room, please |
| Do you have a lower rate for children? | Is breakfast included? |
| Does the room have air conditioning? | Could we have an extra bed in the room? |
| I’d like to check out | Is there anywhere we can leave our luggage? |
| Do you allow pets? | What time does the bar close? |
| Where are the lifts? | Does the hotel have any laundry facilities? |
| Phrases you may hear | |
| How long will you be staying for? | Could I take your credit card details, please? |
| What kind of room would you like? | What time will you be arriving? |
| Would you like an en suite room? | Do you need a smoking or non-smoking room? |
| Can I see your booking reference? | Could you fill in this registration form, please? |
| Would you like a wake up call? | Breakfast is from 7am until 9am |
| Check out is before 11am | Here is your room key |
| Enjoy your stay! | Your room is on the second floor |
| Notices you may see | |
| Lifts out of order | Please make up the room / Please clean the room / Room ready for service |
| Please do not disturb | Reception |
| Please wait here | Please wait to be seated/served |
| Out of service | Wet floor |
| Ring for assistance | Executive / Junior suite |
| No smoking | Fire exit |
| Lounge | Bar |
| Dining Room | Please ring the bell for service |
Share your thoughts on hotels vocabulary
For more useful phrases for when you are travelling and staying away from home, please see our vocabulary for restaurants and pubs and also our page for travel and transport vocabulary.
Can you think of more useful hotels vocabulary?
Are there any phrases you have seen or heard when staying in a hotel that you found confusing?
Share your thoughts on hotels vocabulary in the comments!
