Speaking English at a hotel is an essential skill for travelers, tourists, and English learners. From checking in to making special requests or handling checkout smoothly, knowing the right phrases and hotel-related vocabulary helps you communicate clearly and confidently.
In this guide, you’ll explore real hotel dialogues that cover common situations such as booking a room, asking about amenities, requesting services, and paying the bill. Each conversation is packed with useful English phrases and vocabulary to help you improve your fluency and feel prepared in any hotel setting.
English Conversations at a Hotel
Below are real-life hotel dialogues with practical vocabulary, natural expressions, and common questions. Each one includes a helpful word list to improve your English speaking skills in hotel and travel situations.
Dialogue 1: Checking Into a Hotel
Receptionist: Good evening! Welcome to The Grand Oak Hotel. Are you checking in today?
Guest: Yes, I am. I made a reservation online a couple of weeks ago. It should be under the name Mark Dawson.
Receptionist: Let me pull that up… Yes, Mr. Dawson. You’ve booked a standard double room for three nights, checking out on Sunday. Is that correct?
Guest: That’s right. Also, I had requested a non-smoking room with a city view, if possible.
Receptionist: Absolutely — we’ve got you in a non-smoking room on the seventh floor, overlooking the park. It’s one of our quieter wings, so you should be able to relax.
Guest: That’s perfect. I’ve had a long flight, so peace and quiet sound amazing right now.
Receptionist: I can imagine! Would you like us to arrange a wake-up call or help with your luggage?
Guest: I’m good with my bags, thanks. But a wake-up call at 7:00 AM tomorrow would be great. I’ve got an early meeting.
Receptionist: Done. Also, just to let you know — breakfast is served from 6:30 to 10:00 in the lounge downstairs, and coffee is available 24/7 in the lobby.
Guest: Awesome. I’ll definitely need my caffeine fix in the morning!
Receptionist: I hear you! Now, may I please see a valid ID and the credit card used for the booking?
Guest: Sure thing. Here’s my passport and card.
Receptionist: Thank you. We’ll place a temporary hold of $50 per night for any incidentals — minibar use, room service, or damages. Nothing will be charged unless used.
Guest: Totally fine. I appreciate the heads-up.
Receptionist: Do you need help connecting to the Wi-Fi or locating anything in the hotel?
Guest: Actually, yeah — is there a gym on-site?
Receptionist: Yes, the fitness center is open 24 hours. It’s on the third floor. There’s also a sauna and small indoor pool.
Guest: Nice! And does the room come with bottled water or do I need to request it?
Receptionist: There are two complimentary bottles in your room. If you need more, just call housekeeping.
Guest: Great. Oh — is late check-out an option on Sunday? My flight isn’t until the evening.
Receptionist: Normally check-out is at 11 AM, but we can extend it to 1 PM without charge. Anything later would have a small fee.
Guest: 1 PM works perfectly. Thanks for the flexibility.
Receptionist: My pleasure. Here’s your key card — Room 715. Just head down the hall, take the elevator to the seventh floor, and it’ll be on your right.
Guest: Got it. And if I need anything, I just call the front desk?
Receptionist: Exactly. Dial “0” from your room phone, and we’ll be happy to help with anything — extra pillows, toiletries, you name it.
Guest: Awesome. You’ve been super helpful. I really appreciate it.
Receptionist: It’s our pleasure. Enjoy your stay!
Vocabulary & Phrases – Dialogue 1
| Phrase / Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Checking in | Arriving and registering at the hotel |
| Make a reservation | Book a room in advance |
| Be under the name | Reserved using someone’s name |
| Pull that up | Search for info in the system |
| Checking out | Leaving and paying at the end of your stay |
| Non-smoking room | Room where smoking isn’t allowed |
| Quieter wings | More peaceful parts of the hotel |
| Wake-up call | Phone call to wake you up |
| Caffeine fix | Needed dose of coffee or caffeine |
| Valid ID | Government-issued identification |
| Temporary hold | A pending charge placed on your credit card that isn’t immediately charge |
| Per night | For each night of the stay |
| Incidentals | Extra charges (e.g. minibar, damages) |
| Heads-up | A warning or notification in advance |
| On-site | Located inside the hotel |
| Complimentary | Free of charge |
| Housekeeping | Staff that cleans and maintains rooms |
| Front desk | The hotel reception area where guests check in and ask for help |
| Toiletries | Personal care items (soap, toothpaste, etc.) |
| Key card | A plastic card that opens hotel room doors |
| Dial “0” | Call the hotel reception from your room |
Dialogue 2: Making a Special Request at the Hotel
Guest: Hi, good evening. I just checked into Room 604, and I was wondering if I could make a couple of special requests?
Receptionist: Of course! What can we help you with?
Guest: First, would it be possible to get some extra pillows and a firmer mattress topper? My back’s been acting up lately.
Receptionist: Absolutely. I’ll have housekeeping send those up right away. Would you prefer feather or foam pillows?
Guest: Foam would be great, thanks. Also, I noticed the air conditioning unit is a bit noisy — is there any chance someone could take a look at it?
Receptionist: I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll put in a maintenance request now. Our technician can swing by within the next 30 minutes. Will you be in the room?
Guest: Yes, I’ll be around. I also wanted to ask — do you have any rooms with a bathtub instead of a shower?
Receptionist: Let me check availability. Yes, we do have a deluxe king room with a soaking tub available. We can move you there if you’d like — there’s a small upgrade fee of $20 per night.
Guest: That sounds perfect. I’ll go ahead and upgrade. A warm bath sounds like just what I need after a long day.
Receptionist: Excellent choice. I’ll have a bellhop assist you with transferring your luggage once the room is ready.
Guest: I really appreciate that. Oh, and one more thing — can I request a wake-up call for 6:30 AM tomorrow?
Receptionist: Done! Anything else we can arrange for you?
Guest: Actually, yes — is there laundry service available?
Receptionist: Yes, we offer same-day laundry and dry cleaning. Just leave your clothes in the laundry bag with the completed form by 9:00 AM and we’ll return them by 6:00 PM.
Guest: That’s really convenient. And if I need to print something, is there a business center?
Receptionist: There is — it’s on the second floor. You’ll find computers, a printer, and even a scanner if you need it.
Guest: Perfect. You’ve been incredibly helpful, thank you.
Receptionist: My pleasure! Let us know if there’s anything else you need during your stay.
Vocabulary & Phrases – Dialogue 2
| Expression / Word | Meaning / Use |
|---|---|
| Extra towels / pillows | More towels or pillows for the room |
| Firmer mattress topper | A thicker layer added for a harder bed feel |
| Acting up | Not working properly |
| Housekeeping | Staff responsible for cleaning rooms |
| Feather | Soft pillow filling from bird feathers |
| Foam pillows | Pillows filled with soft foam material |
| Maintenance | Staff who fix or repair things in the hotel |
| Technician | Skilled worker who handles technical issues |
| Swing by | Visit briefly or stop by |
| Deluxe king room | A premium room with a large bed |
| Soaking tub | Large bathtub for deep relaxing baths |
| Upgrade fee | Extra cost for a better room type |
| Bellhop | Staff who carries guests’ bags to their room |
| Laundry service | Hotel service for washing clothes |
| Same-day laundry | Laundry done and returned on the same day |
| Dry cleaning | Cleaning clothes with chemicals (not water) |
| Convenient | Easy, helpful, or accessible |
Dialogue 3: Checking Out of the Hotel
Guest: Good morning. I’m checking out today — the name’s Anna Lee, Room 1109.
Receptionist: Good morning, Ms. Lee. Let me pull up your reservation… Yes, I have it here. You were with us for five nights. How was everything?
Guest: Honestly, I had a great stay. The room was spotless, and your staff really went above and beyond.
Receptionist: That’s wonderful to hear! We always try to make our guests feel at home. Let me just go over your final bill.
Guest: Sure, no problem.
Receptionist: So, in addition to the room rate, there are a few extra charges — two breakfasts, one room service dinner, and a bottle of water from the minibar. Would you like an itemized bill?
Guest: Yes, please. I just want to double-check everything before I settle the bill.
Receptionist: Absolutely. Here’s a printed copy of your invoice, including taxes and incidentals.
Guest: Everything looks in order. I’ll use the same credit card I checked in with.
Receptionist: All right. I’ll just finalize the transaction now… Done! Would you prefer a printed receipt or a digital copy emailed to you?
Guest: Email is great. Less paper to carry around.
Receptionist: Got it. We’ve sent that to the email you provided at check-in. Now, do you need any assistance with your luggage?
Guest: Actually, yes. My flight’s not until late tonight. Can I store my bags here for the afternoon?
Receptionist: Absolutely — we have complimentary luggage storage at the bell desk. Just drop them off with our porter and let them know when you’ll be back to collect them.
Guest: Perfect. I might squeeze in some sightseeing before heading to the airport.
Receptionist: Sounds like a good plan. If you need a taxi or airport transfer later, we can schedule that for you as well.
Guest: That would be helpful. Could you arrange a cab for around 6 PM?
Receptionist: Certainly. I’ll put that in the system now. We’ll notify you once the car arrives. Will you need a reminder call?
Guest: That would be great — just to make sure I don’t lose track of time.
Receptionist: No problem. We’ll give you a courtesy call around 5:45. One more thing — housekeeping found a phone charger and a small travel pouch in your room. Do either of those belong to you?
Guest: Oh wow, yes! I didn’t even realize I’d left those behind. Thanks for catching that!
Receptionist: No trouble at all. We keep all lost items at the front desk for safekeeping. Here they are.
Guest: You’ve really thought of everything. I’m impressed.
Receptionist: Thank you! Before you go, we’d love your feedback. We’ll email you a short survey — it only takes a minute or two.
Guest: Sure, I’ll definitely fill that out. You’ve all been amazing.
Receptionist: That means a lot to us. It was a pleasure having you here, Ms. Lee. Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you back soon!
Guest: Thanks again — take care!
Vocabulary & Phrases – Dialogue 3
| Phrase / Word | Meaning / Use |
|---|---|
| Check out | Leave the hotel and return the room key |
| Pull up | Retrieve or open a file or record (e.g. reservation) |
| Spotless | Extremely clean |
| Go above and beyond | Do more than expected |
| Itemized bill | Detailed list of all charges |
| Incidentals | Extra charges like minibar or room service |
| In order | Correct or ready to go |
| Finalize the transaction | Complete the payment process |
| Complimentary | Free of charge |
| Bell desk | Hotel area for luggage services |
| Drop off | Leave or deliver something |
| Bellhop / Porter | Staff who helps with guests’ luggage |
| Squeeze in | Fit something into a tight schedule |
| Sightseeing | Visiting tourist attractions |
| Heading to | Going in the direction of |
| Arrange a cab | Organize a taxi service |
| Lose track of time | Forget or misjudge how much time has passed |
| Travel pouch | Small bag for documents and essentials |
| Housekeeping | Hotel staff who clean rooms |
| Settle the bill | Pay the final amount owed |
