Week #14: Restaurants - Suggesting Restaurants

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The Food I Crave

Choosing a good restaurant can be hard. If you’re a tourist, you don’t know the kinds of cuisine available, restaurant locations or the best places. As with other facets of planning, the hotel concierge may be helpful in choosing a restaurant. A concierge can provide restaurant information, coupons, directions and transportation. Another great option is restaurant reading websites. These usually provide a review of food, service, price and atmosphere.

You must first decide what kind of food you’re in the mood for. Are you craving fast food, like hamburgers and fries, pizza or fried chicken? Are you craving street food like hot dogs or pretzels? Or are you looking for higher quality food? To avoid disappointment you need to know what you want.

Then you must decide, how much time you have. If you don’t have much time between activities you may have no choice but fast food. Sometimes vacation schedules become difficult so you should be able to improvise. The worst experience is trying to hurry a nice dinner at an elegant restaurant. If you have a lot of time, you can choose any restaurant you wish. Of course, if you do plan on patronizing a fine dining establishment, make a reservation.

Finally, you need to have a budget. Everyone has a different amount to spend. So that nice to eat out at nice restaurants this may not be easy. If you like gourmet food, but are on a small budget, don’t worry. There’re many great restaurants with good food at reasonable budget prices.

Dialogue 1.

- What can I do for you?

- Hello. What’s a good restaurant for dinner?

- What kind of food are you in the mood for?

- We’re craving Cajun food.

- There are many great Cajun restaurants.

- Great!

- Also, what’s your budget?

- Some place not too expensive.

- All right. How about The Bayou?

Dialogue 2.

- What are you in the mood for?

- How about steak and seafood?

- All right. I found a restaurant, reading website. They have ratings, prices and location.

- Is there anything for a tight budget?

- Ocean Grill is the cheapest, but it doesn’t look nice.

- Are any of them close?

- Captain’s Table is a 10 minute walk, but it’s expensive.

- Well, it’s your birthday. We can spend more money.

- The others have an average rating. Which do you want?

- The second place.

- Sounds good!

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Note: https://notepad.pw/0aoIzJgapUZ2hQawyYSw

Week #13: Hotels - Guest Check-out

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Quick and Easy

Checking out should be an easy process. After packing your luggage, check your room to make sure that you haven’t forgotten any belongings. If the housekeeping service was good, it’s customary to offer a tip: about 1 to 2 dollars for each night.

Many hotels set their check-out time between 11 o’clock a.m. and 1 o’clock p.m. Guests are required to check out before this time. At the front desk give your key-card to the guest-services agent. The agent will consult the computer to identify any charges for hotel services you used. These can include phone calls, movies or mini-bar items. The agent will give you the outstanding bill. Check it thoroughly to make sure that you understand the room charges. Depending on the country, you may also be charged a service tax.

For guests who need a fast check-out, hotels provide a key-card drop box. This service is for guests who had their credit cards preauthorized. All expenses will be charged to your credit card and the hotel will send you a receipt via mail or email.

A late check-out is possible. You must call the front desk to request this. Many hotels will grant your request if the hotel isn’t fully booked. You may have to pay a late fee. If celebrating a special occasion or attending a business conference, hotels will frequently offer complimentary late check-out.

Continental breakfasts are also common. They are sometimes free and normally served between 6 o’clock a.m. and 10 o’clock a.m. The timing helps guests get up early and check out immediately after breakfast.

Dialogue 1.

- Good morning. How may I help you?
- I need to check out. Here is my key-card. It’s room 314.
- Did you enjoy your stay?
- Yes. Everything was great! I especially liked the hotel boutique.
- Did you use anything from the mini-bar?
- No, I didn’t.
- Are there any other charges to your room?
- Yes. I made a long-distance phone call and charged a dinner to my room.
- OK. Here’s your bill. How are you paying today?
- I’ll use my credit card.

Dialogue 2.

- Front desk.
- Yes. This is Kevin Borgue in Room 510. I need to check out very early in the morning.
- You can use the drop box to check out.
- How do I do that?
- Just put your key-card into the drop box, located in the lobby.
- That sounds easy!
- Do you have any room charges?
- No. I’m only staying for one night.
- OK. After we process your outstanding bill, we’ll send you a receipt by email.
- Great!

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