Booking a Hotel Room - A Guide To Learning The Basics of A New Language

Learn Italian: A Guide To Learning The Basics of A New Language (2015)

Chapter 5. Booking a Hotel Room

Finding accommodations that will fit your needs, preferences, and, of course, budget, is one of the essential aspects of travelling in a foreign country. Whatever your preferences are, you have to be able to express what you want to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. In this section, you will learn key phrases to find the room, amenities, and services you need when booking hotel accommodations in Italy.

During busy seasons (alta stagione), it’s advisable to make advance reservations. Summer time which lasts from May to August is typically the peak season. Otherwise, if you have time to look around, you might just be able to get yourself a terrific deal in one of the hotels or inns in town.

Unless you’re planning to stay in a luxury hotel, never assume that every room will have a private bath. You have to ask to be sure you will end up in a room with its own toilet and bath.

You will find these words useful in expressing your needs:

Vorrei __________	I would like _________
Ho bisogno di __________	I need _____________
Mi serve __________	I need _____________

Hote and Room features you may ask for:

una camera	a room
una singola	a single room
una doppia	a double oom
__ con letto matrimoniale	__with a double bed
__ sul mare	__on the sea
__ sul giardino	__on the garden
con ___	with __
__ bagno privato	__ private bathroom
__ la vasca da bagno	__ bathtub
__ l’aria condizionata	__ air conditioning
__ terrazza	__ terrace
__ il frigorifero	__ refrigerator
__ la televisione	__ television
__ con angolo cottura	__ with kitchenette
__ il telefono	__ telephone
__ l'acqua calda	__ hot water
__ogni confort	__ every comfort
__bagno condiviso	__ shared bathroom
la pensione complete	full board
la mezza pensione	half-board
servizio sveglia	wake-up call
la chiave	key
l’ascensore	elevator
il riscaldamento	heat
il telecomando	remote control
il fax	fax
la cassaforte	safe deposit box
il DVD	DVD
il CD	CD

You can use the following checklist to see if all necessities are in your room:

la sveglia	alarm clock
il portacenere	ash tray
la coperta	blanket
Le lenzuola	sheets
l’asciugacapelli/il fon	blowdryer
il guardaroba	closet
il lettino	cot
la gruccia/la stampella	hanger
il ghiaccio	ice
i fiammiferi	matches
l’acqua minerale	mineral water
il cuscino	pillow
lo shampoo	shampoo
la doccia	shower
il sapone	soap
la carta da lettere	stationery
si fazzoletti di carta	tissue
la toilette	toilet
la carta igienica	toilet paper
l’asciugamano	towel
il trasformatore	transformer

If you need extra towels, soap, pillows, and other stuff on the list, you will simply add “in più” to request for additional item.

Example:

If you want an extra piece of soap, simply say:

Vorrei un sapone in più, per favore.

Here are facilities that you might find in a hotel or nearby establishments:

il bar	bar
l’hotel	hotel
l’albergo	hotel
la pensione	inn
il parcheggio	parking lot
la piscina	swimming pool
centro benessere	health club
l’ascensore	elevator
la cassa	cashier
il portiere	doorman
la domestica	maid
il barbiere	barber
il sarto	tailor
la tintoria	dry cleaner
la lavanderia	laundry service
il servizio in camera	room service
la palestra	gym
la sauna	sauna
il negozio di regali	gift shop
il parrucchiere	hair dresser
la farmacia	pharmacy

You will find the following key phrases useful in finding the room you want:

Vorrei fare una prenotazione.	I’d like to make a reservation.
Avete delle camere?	Do you have any rooms?
C'è un parcheggio?	Is there a car park?
C'è un ascensore?	Is there an elevator?
C'è un ristorante nell'hotel?	Is there a restaurant?
C'è connessione ad internet?	Is there Internet connection?
Vorrei una stanza con doccia.	I would like a room with a shower.
Qual è il prezzo?	What is the price?
Restereme per sette notti.	We’ll be staying for seven nights.
É inclusa la colazione?	Is breakfast included?
Colazione compresa?	Is breakfast included?
La prendo.	I’ll take the room.
Questa camera è troppo piccola.	This room is too small.
Questa camera è troppo buia.	This room is too dark
Questa camera è troppo noisy.	This room is too noisy.

The receptionist or hotel staff might ask questions or offer requested information:

Sì, per quante persone?	Yes, for how many people?
Mi spiace, siamo pieni.	I’m sorry, we are full.

Upon check out, the hotel staff may give you an invoice (fattura) or bill (conto). After receiving your payment, you may be given a receipt (ricevuta).