Unit VIII hotels

Vocabulary

Hotels: Bed & Breakfast; country house hotel; corporate hotel; coaching inn; guesthouse; farmhouse.

Classification grading range (from the lowest category to “five stars”)

A range of facilities and services (including morning calls; luggage assistance; en suite WC; hot evening meals available; room service; laundry service; ironing service; gym; indoor/outdoor swimming pools, etc.)

Accommodation for tourists: a single room; twin-bedded room; double room; no single room available; a suite.

The daily rate; a price for off-season / high season; £30 a night; € 100 per person

to make a reservation

to choose a place to stay

to stay in a hotel (for 5 nights / for a fortnight / on business)

to make a booking / a reservation

to reserve a room

to book a room (a week) in advance

to check in to a hotel / to check out of the hotel

to complete the quest registration card

to accept traveller’s cheques / credit cards / debit cards

to pay in cash / by personal cheque / by a credit card

Enjoy your stay!

Enjoy your stay with us!

Choosing a place to stay

Ex. 1 Read the information about accommodation for tourists in Great Britain. Before you do so, offer you opinion of what these types of hotels are:

• Bed&Breakfast;

• Country house hotel;

• Corporate hotel;

• Coaching inn.

Where else can a tourist spend a night? Share your experience in travel with your fellow students.

Ex. 2 Read about types of hotels in Great Britain. Mark special features of each type and speak on the type you would prefer. Give your reasons.

Where to stay

The range of hotels and accommodation available in Britain is extensive. Whatever your budget, you should find something to suit you: from luxurious country-house hotels to cosy guesthouses.

Country House Hotels. The term has been somewhat liberally used by hoteliers where some cursory redecoration¹, gas log-fires and reproduction furniture allowed

for the word “country-house” are added to the new hotel brochure. However, the buildings are invariably of some architectural value, and filled with antiques and fine furnishings. Often they are situated in extensive grounds. Comfort and luxury are guaranteed — as well as a high tariff. Some country-houses are run by resident owner-proprietors while others may be owned by hotel chains such as Historic House Hotels.

Corporate Hotels and Hotel Chains. Often at the top end of the market are the large corporate hotels such as the Sheraton group which provide every imaginable comfort and facility, nearly always including an excellent restaurant, swimming pool and a leisure and fitness centre. Major hotel chains such as Forte Crest are to be found in all the larger cities. Prices can be high, but are often quoted for the room rather than² per person. They do not always include breakfast, so check before you book. Sometimes chain hotels will offer special weekend rates for tourists who book in advance, though weekdays can often see them full with business travellers and conference delegates.

Classic Hotels and Coaching Inns. In the middle price range there are traditional hotels. They are often family-run and rely on regular visitors. They usually offer reasonable comfort and decor. In towns you may also find small, privately-run modern hotels offering good value.

Coaching inns can be found all over England and Wales. They are used by people journeying by horse and carriage, where horses would be rested and travellers refreshed and given lodging. They are generally attractive historic buildings. Often they are the town’s focal point, usually decorated traditionally, with a reliable restaurant and a friendly atmosphere.

Bed-and-Breakfast and Guesthouses. Bed-and-Breakfast hotels, or B&Bs as they are more commonly known, dominate the lower price range, and such guesthouses and farm-houses can be found all over Britain. They are often family-owned and offer basic accommodation, usually with a choice of English or Continental breakfast included in the price of the room. B&Bs don’t normally accept traveller’s cheques or credit cards; payment is preferred in cash or personal cheque (with a cheque guarantee card). Many tourist boards publish a Bed & Breakfast Touring Map, which gives details of places they have inspected.

1cursory redecoration – косметический ремонт rather than– а не

Ex. 3 Read the text about hotel classifications. Prepare to discuss the differences between 1- or 2-star hotels and 4- or 5-star hotels.