Week #9: Hotels - Guest Reception

Reading

Arrival at the Hotel.

You’ve arrived, and you’re weary from a day of travelling. Depending on a hotel you may be greeted by a bellhop. The bellhop greets you at the door, carries your luggage and escorts you to your room. If you are staying at a budget hotel, you will not have this service.

In the lobby go to the reception desk. First, give the agent your name. After confirming your reservation the agent may want to check the type of room that you want: smoking or non-smoking, and single or double. This is also the best time to ask for things you like. For example, you may want the same room as your last visit. Or a room far from the noisy hotel night club and swimming pool.

You should tell the agent if you have a corporate account. The agent will verify your corporate information. Hotels usually offer special things, like discounts, or better rooms. Hotels often have agreements with airline frequent-flier plans. Ask about this. See, if you can get more travel points when you stay at a hotel. Check for promotions, for booking online, or printable Internet coupons. It helps to look at your choices before paying too much.

To finish your check-in the agent will ask how you want to pay. Most hotels prefer credit cards. The agent will take your card and pre-authorize it for the price of the room. Since you may charge additional hotel items and services to your room, you’ll get the final bill when you leave. After that you will be given your room key.

Dialogue 1.

- Hello! I’m the hotel bellhop. How may I help you?
- I can’t find my room.
- I’ll put your bags on my cart. Now, may I see your key?
- I’m in Room 1008.
- We’ll take the elevator.
- How long have you been a bellhop?
- About eight years. It’s a great job, I enjoy helping people.
- What a great service!

Dialogue 2.

- Welcome to the Regency Grand Hotel.
- Thank you. Your hotel is beautiful! We didn’t know we’d be staying in such luxury!
- Do you have a reservation?
- Yes.
- OK. What type of room would you like?
- We’d like a suite with a Jacuzzi. Also the room must be non-smoking.
- How long will you be staying?
- Three nights.
- How will you be paying?
- By credit card.
- OK. Here’re your keys. Our bellhop will show you to your room.
- Thanks.

Video

Grammar

• First Conditional: If we BOOK a room at a noisy hotel, we WON´T SLEEP well (correct). If the present situation happens, the future certain result is not sleeping
• Second Conditional: If we BOOKED a room at a noisy hotel, we WOULDN´T SLEEP well (correct). The present, real situation is, you are not booking a room at a noisy hotel, it is just an imagined scenario about what would happen if you did that.
• Third Conditional: If we HAD BOOKED a room at a noisy hotel, we WOULDN´T HAVE SLEPT well (correct).  Expressing an unreal PAST situation. You DIDN´T BOOK a room at a noisy hotel.
• ZERO CONDITIONAL: Expresses something that is considered to be universally true: If I STAY in a noisy hotel, I DON´T SLEEP.

• If early check-in isn't available you can store your luggage and explore the city.
• If early check-in weren't available you could store your luggage and explore the city.
• If early check-in hadn't been available you could have stored your luggage and explored the city.