At the Hotel: English for Check-in and Room Reservations

Learn English for checking in at a hotel, asking about services, and booking a room. This free A1 lesson for adult beginners introduces hotel vocabulary, room types, polite questions, and the grammar patterns there is and there are. Its 18 interactive slides include vocabulary audio, a check-in video, quizzes, listening conversations, gap-fill tasks, and a reservation email activity.

What you will learn

• Say that you have a reservation and answer simple check-in questions.
• Ask polite questions with Can I ...? and Could I ...?
• Ask about breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and hotel facilities.
• Understand names, room numbers, times, and prices in example conversations.
• Write a short message to book a room or request information.

Talking about a hotel stay

Start with the discussion questions about a hotel you have stayed in. Say where you stayed, whether you liked it, and what you enjoyed or disliked. Then discuss What is the very first thing you do when you enter a hotel?

The picture-matching activity introduces the people and places at reception. Practice hotel reception, receptionist, guests, front desk, and lift or elevator. Connect each word with its picture before moving on to the check-in conversation.

Hotel vocabulary in English

Listen to the vocabulary cards and repeat each word. Put the words into short phrases such as make a reservation, fill out a registration form, and sign here.

The cards also introduce a deluxe room, a double bed, the spa, the roof, and a changing room. Practice saying the complete phrase after listening to the audio.

Room types: single, double, and twin

The matching pictures show different room and bed arrangements:

• Single room: the lesson picture shows one single bed.
• Double room: the picture shows one double bed.
• Twin room: the picture shows two single beds.
• Triple room: the picture shows three single beds.
• Four-bed room: the picture shows four single beds.

There is also a picture of a bunk bed, with one bed above another. Practice the request I would like to book a double room. Change the room type and the number of nights to make your own example.

Useful hotel check-in phrases

Begin with I have a reservation for tonight. or I'd like to check in, please. To identify the booking, say I have a reservation under the name Dan. Here, under the name means the name used for the reservation.

Listen for the receptionist's questions:

• May I have your name, please?
• Do you have your confirmation number?
• Could I also see your passport?
• Can you please sign here?

Practice replying My name is ..., Here you are., Yes, that's correct., and No problem. Say an example name and booking number clearly in your role-play.

Asking polite questions about hotel services

Use Can I ...? and Could I ...? to ask for help or a service. Use Could you ...? to ask another person to do something. Keep the next verb in its base form.

• Can I check in, please?
• Could I have a room with a view?
• Could you confirm my reservation, please?
• Is breakfast included in the price?
• What time is breakfast?
• How much does this room cost?

Practice What does the deluxe room include? when asking about an example room category. The phrase per night means for each night. In the video dialogue, the guest asks about an upgrade and hears what is included in that example offer.

A short guest and receptionist conversation

Receptionist: Good evening. How may I help you?
Guest: I have a reservation. I'd like to check in, please.
Receptionist: May I have your name?
Guest: My name is Sara Ahmed.
Receptionist: A double room for three nights?
Guest: Yes, that's correct. Is breakfast included?
Receptionist: Yes, it is. Here is your key card.
Guest: Thank you for your help.

This model uses invented booking details for English practice. Switch roles, then change the name, room type, and number of nights. Add a question about breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, or another facility.

Grammar: there is and there are

Use there is with one countable thing or an uncountable noun. Use there are with two or more countable things.

• There is a gym in the hotel.
• There are two elevators.
• There is some water on the table.

For negative sentences, practice There isn't a changing room. and There aren't any towels in the room. To ask about a facility, use Is there a swimming pool? Answer Yes, there is. or No, there isn't.

Listen to the hotel-facilities conversation and find the gym, pool, and restroom in that example hotel. Complete the missing words, then make another question with Is there ...? or Are there ...?

Video, listening, and sentence-building practice

Watch Tony McKay checking in, then answer questions about his name, the number of nights, the upgrade, and the breakfast times stated in the video. Listen once for the general meaning and again for the details.

Next, listen to Bill Sampson and Peter Fox checking in. Identify the actions requested in each dialogue, such as completing a form or giving a confirmation number. Complete Peter's gap-fill conversation with check, could, cash, and deposit.

The later gap-fill task features Melissa Simmonds correcting the room type and length of her booking. Complete the missing words and practice checking details politely. In the sentence-order activity, build questions and statements about reservations, key cards, and hotel facilities.

Writing a hotel room reservation email

Write a short email of five or six sentences to book a room. Include your name, the room type, arrival and departure dates, the number of guests, and a polite request. Use the subject Room Reservation.

Model email for English practice:
Subject: Room Reservation
Hello,
My name is Sara Ahmed. I would like to book a double room from June 10 to June 13. It is for two people. Could I please have a room with a view? Is breakfast included in the price? Thank you for your help.
Best regards,
Sara

Change the example details to write your own message. Teachers can model the check-in conversation before learners work in pairs. For self-study, repeat the vocabulary audio, complete the interactive activities, and read your email aloud. Finish by sharing a phrase you can use to ask a receptionist for a room.

Review polite requests and travel vocabulary in Lesson 24, or explore more free A1 English teaching materials.