Part 5. Hotels Reserving a hotel by telephone American Michael Andrews is booking hotel rooms for his family. u Anna West: Good afternoon. Red Lion Hotel. Michael Andrews: Good afternoon. I d like to book two rooms, please. Anna West: Certainly, sir. When will you be arriving? Michael Andrews: Next Friday. Anna West: And how long will you be staying with us? Michael Andrews: Four nights. Anna West: Doubles or singles? Michael Andrews: One double room and one single room, please. Anna West: Certainly, sir. You can arrive any time after 2pm on Friday and you need to vacate your room by 10am on the 27th. Now, can I just take some details from you Now practise it! Listen to the conversation again. This time fill in Michael Andrews s responses yourself. Remember that he d like to book two rooms. He will be arriving next Friday and will be staying for four nights. He would like one double room and one single room. 22 Vocable
Checking in Michael Andrews and his wife Diane arrive at the Red Lion Hotel. Listen to their conversation with Anna West. Anna West: Good afternoon, sir. Michael Andrews: Good afternoon. I booked two rooms with you for four nights, one double and one single. Anna West: What name, please? Michael Andrews: Michael Andrews. Anna West: Oh yes, Mr Andrews, we spoke on the phone, didn t we? Could I please have your passports? Michael Andrews: Here they are. Anna West: Thank you. Here are your keys. You have room number 201 and your son has room number 202. They are both on the second floor. Michael Andrews: Do the rooms have bathrooms? Anna West: Yes, both have en suite bathrooms. Michael Andrews: And what time is breakfast? Anna West: Breakfast is from 7.30 to ten o clock every morning and it s in the dining room over there. Michael Andrews: Do you have an elevator? Anna West: Yes, sir. The lift is just behind you. The porter will bring your luggage up in a minute. Enjoy your stay. Good to know Most hotels have a service charge included in the bill, but if a porter takes your luggage up to your room, it is usual to give a small tip. In Britain you book into your room at an accommodation, whilst in the US you check in to your room. Vocable 23
Part 5 u u Now practise it! Michael Andrews said: I have booked a room with you. He could also have said: I booked it on the phone. I booked a double room with a bathroom. Here is my passport. What time is breakfast? Do you have a lift? Will the porter bring my luggage? Making a request Michael Andrews phones down to the reception desk from his room. Listen to the following conversation. Anna West: Reception. Michael Andrews: This is Michael Andrews in room 202. Could we have two extra pillows for our bed? Anna West: Yes, certainly, sir. I ll get somebody to bring them straightaway. Is there anything else? Michael Andrews: Yes, would it be possible to have a morning paper delivered? Anna West: Of course. Which newspaper would you like? Michael Andrews: THE GUARDIAN, please. Anna West: And would you like morning tea or coffee as well? Michael Andrews: Just coffee for two, please. Anna West: Is there anything else you need? Michael Andrews: No, we re very happy with our rooms, thanks Now practise it! Michael Andrews asks: Would it be possible to have a morning paper delivered? He could also have said: Could I have a wake-up call? Can we have breakfast in our room? Are there any messages for me? 24 Vocable
Checking out David Martin, who is British, comes down to the reception desk at his hotel at the end of his stay. Listen to his conversation with the receptionist as he checks out. Caroline Jacobs: Good morning, Mr Martin. David Martin: Good morning. I d like to check out please. Here are my keys. Caroline Jacobs: Certainly, Mr Martin. Was everything satisfactory? David Martin: Yes, thanks. Everything was excellent. Caroline Jacobs: That s good. And how was the business conference? David Martin: It was really good. Caroline Jacobs: Good. Here s your bill. Would you like to check it and make sure everything is correct? David Martin: Okay. What s this item here? Caroline Jacobs: That s for a phone call you made from your room yesterday. David Martin: Oh yes. Sorry, I forgot that I d made a phone call. That all looks in order. Caroline Jacobs: Will you be paying by credit card? David Martin: Yes. Caroline Jacobs: Thank you. And thank you very much for staying with us. We hope to see you again soon. David Martin: Thank you. Goodbye. u Now practise it! David Martin said: I d like to check out, please. He could also have said: Here are my keys. Can I have my bill, please? What is this item on the bill? That all looks in order. I ll pay by credit card. Some British pubs and inns also offer good hotel accommodation. Breakfast is included in the price and they often have a restaurant, where you can buy lunch or an evening meal. Vocable 25
Part 5 When staying in an American hotel, the concierge can help you book a restaurant, give you directions, call a taxi for you and many other helpful services. Useful words and phrases I d like to book a room, please. One double room and one single room, please. I booked two rooms with you for four nights. Do the rooms have bathrooms? Do they have en suite bathrooms? What time is breakfast? Will the porter bring my luggage up? Could we have two extra pillows for our bed? Can I have morning coffee in my room, please? Would it be possible to have a morning paper delivered? Could I have a wake-up call? Are there any messages for me? Can I check out, please? What is this item on the bill? That all looks in order. Everything was very satisfactory, thank you. Je voudrais réserver une chambre, s il vous plaît. Une chambre double et une chambre simple, s il vous plaît. J ai réservé deux chambres chez vous pour quatre nuits. Les chambres disposent-elles d une salle de bain? Disposent-elles d une salle de bain privée? À quelle heure est servi le petit déjeuner? Le bagagiste apportera-t-il mes bagages dans ma chambre? Pourrions-nous avoir deux oreillers supplémentaires pour le lit? Pourriez-vous me servir mon café dans la chambre demain matin, s il vous plaît? Est-il possible que l on m apporte le journal du jour? Pourrais-je être réveillé(e) par un coup de téléphone? Y a-t-il des messages pour moi? Puis-je régler ma note, s il vous plaît? À quoi correspond cet élément facturé? Tout semble correct. Tout était très bien, merci. 26 Vocable