UNIT II: STAYING AT THE HOTEL

 

TEXT :

Vocabulary

at the height of the season- в разгар сезона no vacancies - свободных мест нет

a desk-clerk- дежурный администратор to hand- вручать, давать

an arrival card - листок прибытия a patronymic- отчество

permanent- постоянный a single room - номер на одного

a double room- номер на двоих to remind- напоминать

to leave at the desk- оставлять у портье a keyrack- стенд для ключей

a lobby- фойе, вестибюль a newspaper stall- газетный киоск

a souvenir- сувенир to iron clothes- гладить одежду

a maid- горничная a doorman- швейцар

to hail a taxicab- ловить (окликать) такси

to notify- предупреждать, уведомлять

to reserve (book) a room- заказывать (резервировать)номер

to run a laundry service - осуществлять услуги по стирке белья

for the next boat out- на ближайший пароход

a complete suite of rooms - апартаменты "люкс"

an accommodation- помещение с удобствами

to experience certain difficulties- испытывать определенные трудности

 

AT THE HOTEL

 

When travelling it is convenient to stay at a hotel. The best way is to reserve a room in advance by telegram or by phone. Those who travel much know that sometimes tourists experience certain difficulties with booking a room at a suitable hotel. At the height of the season a sign "No vacancies" can be often seen at the desk-clerk.

But if you are lucky with booking a room you will enjoy your rest. In this case you must first observe some formalities. The desk-clerk will hand you an arrival card which all guests are required to fill in. The following information is required:

1. The name (in full) - surname, (first) name, patronymic.

2. Place of permanent residence.

3. Passport No.

After having filled in the arrival card you must pay for all accommodation. The price depends on the duration of your staying at the hotel and the number of rooms booked. When all the formalities are over the desk-clerk hands you the key and you may go upstairs to occupy the room. At the hotel you will find rooms with or without bath, single rooms, double rooms and complete suites consisting of two or more rooms.

Once you decide to stay at the hotel you are referred to as a "guest". You will find notices every­where reminding guests to leave their keys at the desk when going out. All the keys are hung on a special keyrack.

In the lobby you will usually find a newspaper stall and stalls where cigarettes and souvenirs are sold. You can also find a special corner or room to write letters. Guests are given a telephone service as well. You may book a trunk-call or reserve railway and airline tickets from your room telephone.

Most of hotels have snack bars and restaurants. Besides there is a coffee-bar and grill-bar downstairs.

The desk-clerk will answer all your questions and give you any information you need. He can also order railway tickets for you or book a ticket for the next boat out.

All hotels run a special laundry service for their guests. You can have your laundry done and your clothes ironed. The maid does your room every morning so you needn't even make your bed. At the entrance of the hotel there stands a doorman whose duty is opening the door for those who enter or leave the hotel, hailing taxicabs, calling a porter and so on.

Guests are required to notify the clerk in advance about leaving so that he could have the bill ready for them in time.

 

Exercise I

Say the same in some other words:

1. If you have a chance to put up at a hotel you are lucky.

2. We'd like a room for two with bath for the night.

3. When traveling it is better to reserve a room in advance.

4. At the newsstand one can buy newspapers, cigarettes and souvenirs.

5. When staying at the hotel we had our breakfast in the refreshment room downstairs.

6. Guests must tell the clerk in advance about leaving.

7. Very often at our hotels tourists can see a notice "All reserved''.

 

Exercise II

Complete the sentences:

1. The best way is to reserve rooms (по телефону или телеграммой заблаговременно).

2. When you stay at the hotel you (должны заполнить листок прибытия).

3.At the hotel guests will find (номера на одного, на двоих, а также "люкс" с двумя или более комнатами).

4.When going out guests (должны оставлять ключи у портье).

5. (В фойе у газетного киоска) you can find a lot of guests buying newspapers, cigarettes and souvenirs.

6. At the hotel the following services are available: (стирка и утюжка белья, уборка номеров, заказ железнодорожных билетов, междугородные телефонные переговоры).

7. The duties of the desk-clerk are (регистрировать посетителей, предоставлять им номер, вручать ключи от номера).

8. The following information about the guest is required: (полное имя, место постоянного проживания, номер паспорта).

 

Exercise III

Answer the following questions:

1. Why do travelers usually reserve rooms at the hotels in advance?

2. Is it easy to reserve a room at the hotels in your city?

3. What are the duties of a desk-clerk?
4. What services do hotels usually run?

5. What information is required for filling in the arrival card?

6. What kinds of rooms are available at the hotels?

7. What is usually located downstairs at the hotels?

8. What are the duties of a doorman?

Exercise IV

Translate into English:

1.Я заказал в вашей гостинице номер на одного с ванной. Могу я его занять?

2.Сколько дней вы предполагаете пробыть в нашей гостинице?

3.Заполните листок прибытия, предъявите паспорт и заплатите за пять дней вперед.

4.Все номера на двоих находятся на пятом этаже. Вот ваш ключ.

5.Мне нужен номер на одного с ванной. Я собираюсь пробыть здесь неделю.

6.Могу я заказать междугородный разговор из своего номера?

7. Вы можете получить любую информацию у администратора гостиницы.

 

Exercise V

1. Ask the floor manager:

to call a taxi for you to wake you up at 7 o'clock

to give you your room key to book a ticket for a concert

Model:Please, do this, madam.

2. Ask the maid:

to wash and iron your shirt to bring you another blanket (одеяло)

to change the sheets (простыни) to make the bed

to clean the room to bring you a cup of coffee in the room

Model:Could you do this, madam?

3.Ask the porter:

to take your luggage upstairs to see to your suitcase

to take your trunk downstairs to take your suitcases to the taxi

Model:Porter, will you do this?

4.Complain to the floor manager of something that is out of order

The fault is with:

air conditioning heat

hot water electricity

Model 1:Excuse me, madam, but there's no cold water my room.

The fault is with:

the fridge the telephone

the radio set the shower

Model 2:Excuse me, madam, but the TV-set in my room is out of order.

Exercise VI

Read the dialogues in pairs:

IA: I wonder whether you have any vacancies for tonight.

B: Yes, I can offer you room 24 on the first floor.

A: How much is it?

B: £ 29 a night excluding service.

A: Can I see it please?

B: Certainly. Would you take a seat for a moment?

 

IIA: Have you got a twin-bedded room forone night?

B: I can let you have a room at the back.

A: What does it cost?

B: With aprivate bath £ 50, service included.

A: Can you show me something a little cheaper?

B: Yes, of course. I won't keep you a moment.

I How much is it? - Сколько она стоит?

excluding services - не считая (исключая) обслуживания

 

IIa twin – bedded room - номер с двуспальной кроватью

a private bath - отдельная (личная, своя) ванна

service included - включая услуги

a little cheaper - подешевле

 

Exercise VII

You have been given a room that does not suit you. Phone the manager of the hotel and ask him to change the room telling him why it is not convenient to you. Make up a dialogue.

 

The possible reasons are:

1. A pianist occupies the room next door.

2. A rock star is staying in front of your room.

3. The windows of your room face a very busy street with heavy traffic.

4. The neighbor snores at night and his snoring can be heard through the very thin walls.

 

Think of some other reasons.