Word list · Teens & Adults
Hotel and Restaurant Vocabulary in English
Booking a room, ordering a meal and asking for the bill.
- Age
- Ages 13+
- Level
- A2–B1
- Skill
- Vocabulary
- Format
- Interactive
- Travel
- 25 words
Practise
Three ways to learn the list. Nothing is saved: start again whenever you like.
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book
verb
The list
Tap the speaker to hear each word.
book
verb · A2
to arrange to have a room, a table or a seat at a particular time
I'd like to book a table for four at eight o'clock.
reservation
noun · A2
an arrangement to keep a room or table for you
Good evening. I have a reservation under the name García.
double room
noun · A2
a hotel room with one big bed for two people
Do you have a double room for two nights?
check out
phrasal verb · A2
to pay your bill and leave a hotel
We have to check out by eleven, but we can leave our bags at the hotel.
reception
noun · A2
the desk near the entrance of a hotel where guests are welcomed
Leave your key at reception when you go out.
room service
noun · B1
a hotel service that brings food and drinks to your room
We were too tired to go out, so we ordered room service.
included
adjective · A2
part of the price, so you do not pay extra
Is breakfast included in the price?
facilities
noun · B1
the rooms, equipment and services a place offers
The hotel's facilities include a pool, a gym and a spa.
view
noun · A2
what you can see from a place, especially beautiful countryside or sea
We asked for a room with a sea view.
complaint
noun · B1
when you say that something is wrong or not good enough
I'd like to make a complaint. The shower in our room doesn't work.
starter
noun · A2
a small dish eaten as the first part of a meal (American English: appetizer)
For a starter, I'll have the tomato soup.
main course
noun · A2
the biggest and most important dish of a meal
The main course was grilled fish with vegetables.
dessert
noun · A2
sweet food eaten at the end of a meal
We were too full to have dessert.
order
verb · A2
to ask for food or drink in a restaurant
Are you ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes?
the bill
noun · A2
the piece of paper that shows how much you must pay for a meal (American English: the check)
Excuse me, could we have the bill, please?
tip
noun · B1
extra money you give to a waiter or driver to thank them
We left a 10% tip because the waiter was so friendly.
vegetarian
adjective · A2
without meat or fish
Do you have any vegetarian dishes?
allergic to
phrase · B1
having a bad physical reaction to a food or substance
I'm allergic to nuts. Is there anything with nuts in this sauce?
well done
adjective · B1
(of meat) cooked all the way through
I'd like my steak well done, please.
recommend
verb · B1
to say that something is good and suggest that someone tries it
What would you recommend? It's our first time here.
fully booked
adjective · B1
with no rooms or tables left
I'm sorry, we're fully booked tonight.
dish
noun · B1
food prepared in a particular way as part of a meal
Paella is the most famous dish from Valencia.
to take away
phrase · B1
(of food or drink) bought in a café or restaurant to eat somewhere else (American English: to go)
Is that to eat in or to take away?
wake-up call
noun · B1
a phone call from hotel reception to wake you at a time you ask for
Could I have a wake-up call at six tomorrow, please?
key card
noun · B1
a plastic card that opens the door of a hotel room
My key card isn't working, and the door won't open.
Use it: speaking task
For pairs or small groups, about ten minutes.
Role-play in pairs. First, A is a hotel guest and B is the receptionist: book a room, ask about breakfast and facilities, and make a complaint. Then swap: B is a customer and A is a waiter.
- What is the best hotel or restaurant you have ever been to? What made it special?
- Have you ever made a complaint in a hotel or restaurant? What happened?
- Do people leave a tip in your country? How much?
- What would you recommend a visitor to try in your city?
Printable worksheet
One page of matching and gap-fill, the speaking task, and an answer key on a separate page.
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Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
A. Match each word with its meaning.
- 1. book ____
- 2. double room ____
- 3. reception ____
- 4. included ____
- 5. view ____
- 6. starter ____
- 7. dessert ____
- 8. the bill ____
- 9. vegetarian ____
- 10. well done ____
- a) sweet food eaten at the end of a meal
- b) part of the price, so you do not pay extra
- c) without meat or fish
- d) the desk near the entrance of a hotel where guests are welcomed
- e) to arrange to have a room, a table or a seat at a particular time
- f) a small dish eaten as the first part of a meal (American English: appetizer)
- g) (of meat) cooked all the way through
- h) a hotel room with one big bed for two people
- i) what you can see from a place, especially beautiful countryside or sea
- j) the piece of paper that shows how much you must pay for a meal (American English: the check)
B. Complete the sentences with words from the box.
allergic to · check out · complaint · facilities · main course · order · recommend · reservation · room service · tip
- 1. Good evening. I have a under the name García.
- 2. We have to by eleven, but we can leave our bags at the hotel.
- 3. We were too tired to go out, so we ordered .
- 4. The hotel's include a pool, a gym and a spa.
- 5. I'd like to make a . The shower in our room doesn't work.
- 6. The was grilled fish with vegetables.
- 7. Are you ready to , or do you need a few more minutes?
- 8. We left a 10% because the waiter was so friendly.
- 9. I'm nuts. Is there anything with nuts in this sauce?
- 10. What would you ? It's our first time here.
C. Use it: speak
Role-play in pairs. First, A is a hotel guest and B is the receptionist: book a room, ask about breakfast and facilities, and make a complaint. Then swap: B is a customer and A is a waiter.
- What is the best hotel or restaurant you have ever been to? What made it special?
- Have you ever made a complaint in a hotel or restaurant? What happened?
- Do people leave a tip in your country? How much?
- What would you recommend a visitor to try in your city?
Answer key
A. 1e · 2h · 3d · 4b · 5i · 6f · 7a · 8j · 9c · 10g
- B.
- 1. reservation
- 2. check out
- 3. room service
- 4. facilities
- 5. complaint
- 6. main course
- 7. order
- 8. tip
- 9. allergic to
- 10. recommend