Words and phrasesLevel A22 min read

English at the hotel: check-in, requests, and check-out

Useful English words and phrases for checking in, asking for something in your room, reporting a problem, and checking out. Short, clear answers to the reception's questions.

2 October 2026

A few phrases cover most situations at a hotel: at check-in “I have a reservation under the name…”, when asking for something “Could I have…?”, when reporting a problem “The… doesn't work.”, and at check-out “I'd like to check out, please.” The reception's questions are usually short and repeat the same words.

Check-in

The receptionist may ask “Do you have a reservation?” or “Can I see your passport, please?” Answers: “Yes, I have a reservation under the name Demir.”, “Here you are.” Common questions: “How many nights?”, “Would you like breakfast?” To ask for information: “What time is breakfast?”, “What's the Wi-Fi password?”

Requests for your room

Use “Could I have…?” or “Could you…?” for polite requests: “Could I have an extra towel, please?”, “Could you wake me up at seven?”, “Could I have a quiet room?” To ask whether something exists: “Is there a lift?”, “Is there a safe in the room?”

Reporting a problem

State the problem in one short sentence, then add what you would like: “The air conditioning doesn't work. Could someone check it, please?”, “There's no hot water in my room.”, “The room is too noisy. Could I change rooms?” Saying your room number speeds things up: “I'm in room 214.”

Check-out

At check-out: “I'd like to check out, please.” About the bill: “Could I have the bill, please?”, “Can I pay by card?” If you want to leave your bag for a while: “Could I leave my luggage here until the afternoon?” For a taxi: “Could you call a taxi for me?”

A short exercise

Act out a hotel stay from start to finish: write two sentences for check-in, one request for your room, one sentence about a problem, and what you would say at check-out. Then say them out loud to practise.

To keep going, see English at the airport: from check-in to the gate and Polite English: asking, thanking, and apologising.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between “check in” and “check-in”? The verb is two words (“I want to check in.”); the noun has a hyphen (“Check-in is at two o'clock.”).

“Bill” or “check”? British English says “bill”, American English usually “check”; both are understood.