3. At a hotel

As soon as you are through with the customs, you'll most probably take a taxi to a hotel. It's best to book a room in advance. In this case you'll be sure to stay at a hotel without any problems. You can book a room by telephone or telegram.

In many hotels a porter takes your luggage and shows you the way to the receptionist's desk. The receptionist will most probably ask you for how many days (nights) you are going to stay at the hotel. He may offer you a room (a single or a double room, a suite, etc.) with all modern conveniences (bath, telephone, TV). Then he will ask you to sign in. In this case you have to sign your name in a hotel register (book). In the USA you have to put down your name, nationality and address in a special registration form (fill in a form).

When this formality is over, the receptionist gives you your key and the porter shows you up to your room. Now you are referred to as a "guest". When going out you are supposed to leave your key at the desk. All the keys are hung on a special key-rack.

The room charge (price) usually includes your breakfast. Sometimes it includes the service paid additionally.

The guests are requested to warn the receptionist in advance about the day and hour of signing out so that he could have the bill ready for them in time. Make sure that the bill is ready one day before leaving.

Vocabulary Notes

to book a room/to make a reservation (ER) in advance to stay receptionist single room double room suite to sign in/register/check in registration form fill in/out (AE) formality porter/bell-boy (AE) show up (to) guest charge to sign out/to check out bill

-заказать (забронировать) номер заранее остановиться администратор одноместный номер двухместный номер номер люкс зарегистрироваться бланк регистрации заполнять (бланк) формальность коридорный, посыльный проводить (в) гость плата выписаться, зарегистрировать отъезд, освободить номер счет (за проживание)

Add to your active vocabulary:

I'd like to stay at the hotel. What's the price a day? How much is it a night? This room will suit me. Shall I pay in advance?

Я хочу остановиться в гости­нице. Сколько стоит номер в сутки? Сколько стоит номер в сутки? Эта комната мне подойдет. Мне уплатить вперед?

Exercise 1. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following:

забронировать номер; остановиться в гостинице; коридорный; администратор; одноместный номер; двухместный номер; регист­рироваться; бланк регистрации; ключ; вешалка для ключей; со­временные удобства; обслуживание; плата; просить; предупреж­дать; приготовить счет; выезжать (выписываться)

Exercise 2. a) Answer the questions:

1. Why is it best to book a room/make a reservation?

2. How can you book a room at a hotel?

3. Who usually helps you with your luggage when you come to a hotel?

4. Whom will you address for a room when you come to a hotel?

5. What will the receptionist most probably ask you about?

6. What do you call the formality of putting down your name in a hotel register?

7. Who usually shows a traveller to his/her room?

8. Why are you requested to warn the receptionist in advance about the day and hour of signing out/checking out?

b) Retell the text.

Exercise 3. a) Read the text and learn the new words and word combinations.

The Bell Captain and Bellhops

In America, the bell captain, a position found in most medium to large hotels, is an individual of great importance to the reputation of a lodging establishment. The bell captain or one of his or her staff is often the first individual a guest meets upon arrival. The bell captain trains and supervises all bellhops, all those who usher arriving guests to their rooms and carry their luggage.

Bell captains supervise the hotel's attendants and valet parking crew. Bell captains, bellhops, and door and valet parking attendants depend on tips for a large portion of their income. It is considered customary to tip a bellhop about $1 for each bag carried. A hotel door attendant can expect on average a $ 1 to $2 tip for hailing a taxi.