Why learn these phrases?
Hotel stays follow the same pattern: you arrive, check in, ask a few questions, ask for something extra, and leave. You do not need difficult English. Short, polite phrases are enough. Here are ten A2 phrases. Each one has a meaning, two examples and a usage note, so you can learn it as a ready-made pattern.
Arriving at the hotel
1. I have a reservation.
Meaning: a room is already booked in your name. Say it at reception when you arrive.
- Hello, I have a reservation for two nights.
- I have a reservation under the name Khalid Nasser.
Usage note: do not forget the article a. A common mistake is I have reservation. Say I have a reservation.
2. I’d like to check in, please.
Meaning: you want to register and get your room. I’d is short for I would, and it sounds more polite than I want.
- Good evening, I’d like to check in, please.
- I’d like to check in now, if the room is ready.
Usage note: after I’d like to, use the base verb: check, not checking. Do not say I want check in.
3. Is breakfast included?
Meaning: is breakfast part of the room price? Included is an adjective here.
- Is breakfast included in the price?
- Is breakfast included, or do I pay extra?
Usage note: a common mistake is Is breakfast include? Use included, because you are describing the state of the breakfast.
Questions about your room and services
4. What time is check-out?
Meaning: when must you leave the room? Check in and check out are verbs. Check-in and check-out with a hyphen are nouns.
- What time is check-out tomorrow?
- What time is breakfast, and what time is check-out?
Usage note: use What time is…? for questions about time. It is the natural pattern.
5. Could I have a quiet room, please?
Meaning: you politely ask for a quiet room. Could I have… is a polite way to ask for things.
- Could I have a quiet room, please?
- Could I have a room on a high floor, please?
Usage note: Give me a quiet room sounds like an order. Use Could I have… and add please.
6. Could you give me the Wi-Fi password?
Meaning: you ask for the internet password.
- Excuse me, could you give me the Wi-Fi password?
- Could you give me the Wi-Fi password for my room?
Usage note: after Could you, use the base verb without to: give, not to give.
7. Could I have some extra towels, please?
Meaning: you ask for more towels. Extra means more than the usual number.
- Could I have some extra towels, please?
- Could I have an extra pillow, please?
Usage note: towels is plural, so use some. With one thing, use a or an: an extra pillow.
Problems and leaving
8. The air conditioning isn’t working.
Meaning: the air conditioning does not work. You can use this pattern for any machine or device.
- The air conditioning isn’t working in my room.
- The TV isn’t working. Could someone help me?
Usage note: a common mistake is The air conditioning not work. Say isn’t working. For plural things, say aren’t working: The lights aren’t working.
9. Could you call a taxi for me?
Meaning: you ask the staff to order a taxi.
- Could you call a taxi for me at eight o’clock?
- Could you call a taxi for me to the airport?
Usage note: the pattern call a taxi for me is clear and natural. Add the time or place at the end.
10. Could I have the bill, please?
Meaning: you ask for the final list of costs when you leave.
- I’d like to check out. Could I have the bill, please?
- Could I have the bill for room 305, please?
Usage note: you may also hear receipt, which is the paper that shows you have paid. The word bill is understood in both British and American English.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Better |
|---|---|
| I have reservation. | I have a reservation. |
| I want check in. | I’d like to check in. |
| Is breakfast include? | Is breakfast included? |
| The air conditioning not work. | The air conditioning isn’t working. |
| Give me towels. | Could I have some extra towels, please? |
The main rules are simple: use a or an before a singular countable noun, use a helping verb in negative sentences, and start requests with Could.
Sounding polite
English uses a few small words for politeness: please, thank you and excuse me. Put please at the end of a request, say Thank you after the answer, and start with Excuse me to get the staff member’s attention. These words make even a simple sentence sound friendly.
British and American differences
You may hear different words in different countries. A lift in British English is an elevator in American English. The ground floor in Britain is often called the first floor in the United States, so ask if you are not sure which floor you need. Reception is common in British English, and front desk is common in American English. Staff understand both.
A short conversation to practise
Read this dialogue aloud:
- Guest: Hello, I have a reservation under the name Sara Ali.
- Receptionist: Welcome. Could I see your passport, please?
- Guest: Of course. Is breakfast included?
- Receptionist: Yes, it is. Breakfast is from seven to ten.
- Guest: Thank you. What time is check-out?
- Receptionist: Check-out is at twelve.
A simple way to remember them
Do not try to learn all ten at once. Learn three a day and say them aloud. Then change the details: the name, the number or the thing you need. For example: Could I have an extra blanket, please? In this way each phrase becomes a pattern you can use in many situations.