Vocabulary

scientific and technological progress — научно-технический прогресс

to exist — существовать

previous - предшествующий

to take off — взлетать

altitude — высота над уровнем моря adventurer — искатель приключений coach tours — автобусные туры

№17

Rating of the hotel

As you know there are different types of accommodation in every country. Hotels are considered to be one of the most expensive ones as they provide a number of services. Quality and quantity of services depend on hotel star rates. The hotels vary from 5-stars to 1- stars.

1. 5-star hotel offers luxury and exceptional comfort. The restaurant has a highest level of technical skill, producing dishes to the highest international standards. Staff are well trained in customer care and are especially attentive, efficient and courteous.

2. 4-star hotel provides a high standard of comfort and service. All bedrooms are specious with quality furnishings and décor and satellite TV. The en suite bathrooms are fully equipped. A variety of services is provided, such as porter service, laundry and dry-cleaning. Staff have very good technical and social skills, anticipating and responding the guests’ needs.

3. 3-star hotel provides a good quality and range of facilities. All bedrooms have complete en suite bath/shower room and offer a good standard of comfort and equipment, such as a direct-dial telephone, a hairdryer and toiletries in the bathroom. Room service is also provided and staff respond well to guests’ needs.

4. 2-star hotel is typically small to medium sized, contains 20 per sent of bedrooms with en suite bath/ shower room and colour TV. Hotel staff offer rather professional service.

5. 1-star hotel is generally small with good facilities. It is furnished well and has adequate bath and lavatory arrangements. Facilities and meal are simple. Everything is of an acceptable standard.

№18

Congress hotel and its facilities.

As far as I know Congress hotels are usually located in the city centre not far from important official buildings and sometimes in picturesque places in suburbs, near airports. It’s known that these hotels usually have four stars category, because prestige of the hotel is very important for business people. The hotel can contain about 300 spacious rooms of the highest and business category and each room is equipped according to all modern international standards. But most accommodation is single and double rooms. Each room is equipped with all modern conveniences such as air conditioning with its own temperature control, direct dial and international phone, satellite TV, in-room Internet access, 24-hour room service, a safe deposit box and a minibar, everything depends on the type of the room.

It is well-known fact that Congress hotel can be equipped with facilities to organize and conduct symposia or congresses and other meetings. For that full service business center offers some conference rooms with full range of the highest quality technical equipment such as: overhead projector, microphones, flip charts, lectern, audiovisual equipment, satellite link, internet access and computer rental; exhibition area which is able to accommodate a lot of people; in some hotels, the banquet hall which can be transformed in a congress hall, or several halls which can be connected to create a larger space. That’s why Congress hotels usually have a total of about 700 square miters of conference and banqueting space.

It is also important that Congress hotel is equipped with high-speed lifts.

As for extra services, there are professional interpretation and translation services; secretarial service; conference coordinator service; printing service; transportation and outdoor parking; hotel taxi or car rental service, with driver or without, on request; currency exchange; photographers; florists and catering services at our guests’ disposal.

After hard working day the hotel offers services for rest and relaxation such as: restaurants which provide dishes of international cuisine; a coffee shop; a lobby bar; a sauna; a gym; indoor swimming pool and SPA.

In conclusion I’d like to add that hotels of this type are very popular around the world and a great variety of services for work and rest help business people reach their purposes.

№19

Business trips and their facilities. Conference equipment

Business people have to travel a lot. They meet their business partners in other cities or countries and visit international trade fairs. They may have their enterprises abroad. They often negotiate with partners about the terms and conditions of business contracts and participate in various meetings, conferences and conventions.

The convention business is very profitable for the hotel industry because it guarantees a good occupancy rate for the hotel for the period the conference or convention lasts, the special exibit and meeting areas are rented. That’s why the majority of city hotels contain a business center. Also there are congress and commercial hotels which cater business people’s needs. Nowadays many resort hotels have complete conference facilities at their guests’ disposal.

Business visitors require high level of accommodation and facilities. These guests usually need serviced accommodation, catering services, conference equipment and leisure facilities.

Accommodation contains single, double rooms and suites. Some non-smoking rooms are provided. All rooms are spacious and equipped with all modern conveniences such as air conditioner with its own temperature control, direct dial and international phone, satellite TV, in-room Internet access, 24-hour room service, a safe deposit box and a minibar, everything depends on the type of the room.

The restaurant should serve different kinds of cuisine. Also there could be some coffee shops, bars, food for vegetarian and several luxurious restaurants.

The most important point of a business trip is a business center. It should offer a full range of extra services as professional interpretation and translation services; secretarial service, conference coordinator; printing service; currency exchange, travel service, outdoor or indoor parking and hotel taxi or car rental service, with driver or without, on request; newsstand, perfume counter; photographers, florists and catering services. For hotel's guests there are conference rooms and exhibition areas, which should be able to accommodate from 150 to 600 people. Any standard conference room includes the highest quality conference equipment like overhead projector, microphones, earphones, flip charts, lectern, audiovisual equipment, satellite link, internet access and computer rental. There also should be an exhibition area which is able to accommodate a lot of people; the banquet hall which can be transformed in a congress hall, or several halls that can be connected to create a larger space.

Leisure facilities provided by the hotel help people to have a rest and entertain after hard working day. For that there are restaurants offering dishes of international cuisine, a coffee shop, a lobby bar where guests can have a drink and communicate; a sauna, a gym; an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, mini-golf and SPA to keep fit and relax.

So, in conclusion it should be said that the combination of up-to-date accommodation, extensive catering system and recreational facilities makes any business trip be pleasant, convenient and successful for business people and help them to achieve their aims.

№ 20