Hotel English – Check in – Check out

Hotel English

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to check in, ask for help, and check out at a hotel with confidence.

🎯 Level: A2–B1 ⏱ Time: 5 minutes
📘 Categories: Travel, Speaking, Vocabulary
 

😬 Real Situation

You arrive at your hotel after a long trip.

The receptionist asks:

“Can I have your ID and the credit card on file?”

You don’t understand. You hesitate. The line behind you gets longer.

This lesson fixes that.

🔥 Warm-Up

  • Have you ever had a problem at a hotel?
  • What do you usually say at check-in?
  • Do you feel confident speaking English in this situation?

📚 Key Vocabulary

Word Meaning Example
Reservation Booking I have a reservation
Front desk Reception Go to the front desk
Key card Room card Use your key card
Amenities Services Free breakfast is an amenity
Charge Take money We will charge your card
On file Saved in system Card on file
Concierge Hotel helper Ask the concierge

💬 Useful Language

Check-in
I have a reservation under the name ___
I booked online
Can I check in?
Is breakfast included?
What time is check-out?
During your stay
Where is the elevator?
Do you have a map?
Can I get more towels?
Can you recommend a restaurant?
The AC isn’t working
Check-out
I’m checking out
Can I see the bill?
Can you explain this charge?
Charge the card on file
Can I use a different card?

🎧 Dialogue

Clerk: Good evening. How can I help you?
Guest: Hi, I have a reservation under the name Perez.
Clerk: May I see your ID and credit card?
Guest: Sure.
Clerk: You’re in room 305. Here is your key card.

Guest: Excuse me, where is the elevator?
Clerk: Around the corner.

Guest: Hi, I’m checking out.
Clerk: Your total is $220. Should we charge your card on file?
Guest: Yes, please.
Clerk: Please sign here.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

✔️ Correct
  • I have a reservation
  • I’m checking out
  • Can you charge my card?
❌ Common Errors
  • I have a reserve
  • I do check-out
  • Take money my card

Tip: Use simple, clear sentences. Hotels expect short, direct English.

🌎 Cultural Note: Tipping

Tipping is part of hotel culture.

Service Tip
Bellhop $1–2 per bag
Housekeeping $2–5 per night
Concierge $5–10
Room service Often includes a service charge
Hotel restaurant (full service) 15–20%
Cafés (like Starbucks or Tim Hortons) Tipping is optional
United States
Tipping is expected. Hotel staff depend on it.
Hotel restaurant (full service):
  • Tip 15–20%
  • If service is included, you can leave a small extra tip (5–10%) or nothing
  • List item
Room service:
  • Often includes a service charge
  • If not, tip 10–15%
  • If included, a small extra tip is optional
Cafés (like Starbucks or Tim Hortons):
  • Tipping is optional
  • Usually $0–$1 or small change
  • No tip is completely normal
Simple rule:
  • Table service → tip
  • Counter service → optional
Mexico
Tipping is common but more flexible.

✍️ Practice

Complete the sentences:

  • 1. I have a __________ under the name Lopez
  • 2. Can I see your __________?
  • 3. I’m __________ out
  • 4. Can you __________ the card on file?
Check your answers
  • 1. I have a reservation under the name Lopez
  • 2. Can I see your passport/identification (ID)?
  • 3. I’m checking out
  • 4. Can you use the card on file?

🎧 Listening Practice

Dialogue

Guest: Hi, I have a reservation for tonight.

Hotel Clerk: Of course. Can I have your name?

Guest: Yes, it’s Daniel Ruiz.

Hotel Clerk: Let me check… I see a booking for five people.

Guest: Five people? No, that’s not correct.

Hotel Clerk: Hmm… I also see a “Daniel R. Ruiz.”

Guest: Oh, that’s the problem. My name is Daniel Ruiz, without the “R.”

Hotel Clerk: Okay, let me check again… Here it is. One room for one person on the 20th.

Guest: Wait, that’s not right. It’s for tonight, not tomorrow.

Hotel Clerk: I’m sorry, but we are full tonight. There’s a big event in the city.

Guest: Really? Do you have anything available?

Hotel Clerk: We have one room under repair. It only has a small bed, and there is no TV or working shower.

Guest: That’s not very good. Is there anything else?

Hotel Clerk: Let me check… Oh, good news! Someone just canceled. We have a suite available.

Guest: Perfect! I’ll take it.

Hotel Clerk: The price is $250 for the night.

Guest: That’s expensive. Can you give me a discount?

Hotel Clerk: I can give you 10% off and free breakfast.

Guest: Isn’t breakfast already included?

Hotel Clerk: Only on weekends.

Guest: I’d like to speak to the manager.

Hotel Clerk: Please wait. I can offer you 15% off and a free stay next time.

Guest: I’m not sure I’ll come back soon.

Check Your Understanding
✅ True or False (Answer true or false.)
1. The guest has a reservation for five people.
2. The hotel clerk finds two guests with similar names.
3. The guest originally booked the room for tomorrow night.
4. The hotel has many rooms available for tonight.
5. The guest accepts the honeymoon suite with a discount.

📝 Multiple Choice (Choose the correct answer.)

6. What is the guest’s problem with the reservation?
A) The price is too high B) The name is incorrect C) The room is too small D)

7. The hotel is full Why are there no rooms available?
A) The hotel is closed B) There is a convention in town C) The rooms are too expensive D) The system is broken

8. What kind of room becomes available?
A) A standard room B) A suite C) A honeymoon suite D) A single room

9. What is missing in the renovation room? A) Bed and furniture B) TV, shower, and toilet C) Windows and lights D) Air conditioning

10. What does the clerk offer at the end?
A) A free night immediately B) A refund C) A discount and a future free room D) Free transportation

Check your answers

Answers

True or False
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. True

Multiple Choice
6. B) The name is incorrect
7. B) There is a convention in town
8. C) A honeymoon suite
9. B) TV, shower, and toilet
10. C) A discount and a future free room

 

🔑 Takeaway

At a hotel, simple and clear English is enough.

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Más información

Horario de atención: Lunes a viernes, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Hotel English © 2026 by Joe Ehman is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International