Intermediate · B1 / B2 · Travel

Checking into a Hotel

Your goal: check in, raise a problem with the room, and sort out payment and checkout without sounding rude or unsure.

Survival Phrases

At reception

I've got a booking under the name…
I booked a double room for two nights, breakfast included.
Could I have a quiet room, away from the lift, if possible?

Problems with the room

The air conditioning isn't working — could someone take a look?
The room faces a main road; is there anything quieter available?
There's no extra pillow in the wardrobe.

Payment & checkout

What time is checkout?
Could I leave my luggage here after checkout?
Does the rate include city tax?

Asking for help

Could you call a taxi for 6 a.m.?
Is there a late check-out option, and is there a charge?

Model Dialogue

Read the dialogue aloud twice — once for each speaker. Notice how B picks up A's words and adds something.

Receptionist: Good evening. Do you have a reservation with us?

Diego: Yes, under Ramos — a double room, two nights, breakfast included.

Receptionist: Let me just confirm… yes, here it is. Room 312, third floor. Could I see an ID and a card for incidentals?

Diego: Sure. One thing — is it possible to have a room away from the lift? I'm a light sleeper.

Receptionist: Let me see what I can do. I've got 406, facing the courtyard. Would that work?

Diego: That'd be great, thanks. And what time is checkout?

Receptionist: Eleven. If you need longer, we can offer a late checkout at two for a small fee.

Diego: I might take that. Could you arrange a taxi for the airport at six in the morning?

Receptionist: Of course — I'll book it and leave a note at your door.

Register: formal vs informal

Situation	More formal	More informal / natural
Requesting a change	I was hoping I might be able to change rooms.	Can I switch rooms?
Reporting a problem	There seems to be an issue with the air conditioning.	The AC's broken.
Asking a favour	Would it be possible to arrange a taxi?	Can you get me a cab?
Clarifying cost	Could you confirm whether city tax is included?	Is city tax extra?

At B1/B2 the line between formal and informal is often tone and softeners (just, a bit, possibly), not different words. Soften requests when the stakes are higher.

Typical Mistakes (B1/B2 & Portuguese interference)

I want a room with quiet. → I'd like a quiet room, if possible. ((want soa exigente))
The air conditioning is not working good. → The air conditioning isn't working properly. ((not working good → properly))
I have a reservation of two nights. → I have a reservation for two nights. ((reserva de → for))
Can you call me a taxi? → Could you book a taxi for me? ((book arranges; call pode confundir))
I will take the late checkout. → I think I'll take the late checkout, if that's OK. ((soften com if that's OK))
The room has a view for the street. → The room faces the street. ((vista para → faces/overlooks))

Culture Note

Indirect complaints get results: 'I don't suppose there's a quieter room?' often works better than 'This room is too noisy.'
Tipping at hotels varies a lot — in the UK/US a few pounds/dollars for the porter is normal; in much of Europe it's not expected.
Incidentals (minibar, room service) are pre-authorised on your card — the hold can take days to release.
'Breakfast included' usually means until 10 or 10:30; arriving at 11 may mean paying separately.

Practical Task

Rebuild the dialogue with your own room preference and a different problem (no hot water, noisy neighbours).
Record both roles and check your intonation rises on the polite requests.
Write one indirect complaint ('I don't suppose…?').
Real-life mission: read a real hotel booking confirmation in English and find three terms (incidentals, rate, cancellation policy).

Before you finish, can you…

☐check in and give a room preference politely?
☐report a problem indirectly?
☐ask about checkout and a taxi?
☐confirm what's included in the rate?

Bring your dialogue and indirect complaint to class — the teacher plays reception and throws in a 'fully booked' complication.