| Level | Topic | Speakers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficult | Hotel Reservations | Man – Man | 01:50 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
Most people look for budget or cheap hotels when they go on vacation, but no matter whether you stay in a cheap hotel or a luxurious one, you can encounter problems when making hotel reservations. Write a list of all the possible problems that could occur with hotel reservations (e.g., the receptionist who took your reservation misunderstood the date you were scheduled to arrive). Talk with a partner and discuss these.
Idioms
“eleventh hour” = until the last minute
“Don’t wait until the eleventh hour to make a hotel reservation.”
“tighten your belt” = live on less money
“We need to tighten our belts and reserve a cheap hotel.”
Listening Exercise
Listen to the recording and answer the questions. (See transcript)
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
Here are some words and expressions that appear in the recording:
- reservation (noun): an arrangement made in advance to hold a room, table, or seat for someone
– She made a reservation at the hotel three weeks before the trip. - book (verb): to reserve in advance, for example, a plane ticket or a hotel room
– You’ll need to book a room at least a month in advance. - convention (noun): a large formal assembly or group of organized meetings held over several days
– Participants can receive a discount if they register early for the convention. - renovation (noun): the condition of being restored to its former good condition
– The convention center is under renovation to repair damage caused by the tornado. - amenities (noun): things that make one comfortable and at ease
– My son had a difficult time adapting to life in the wilderness because of the lack of amenities he was used to. - suite (noun): a set of connected rooms in a hotel, usually larger and more comfortable than a standard room
– The suite included a separate living room and a large bathroom. - honeymoon suite (noun): a special hotel room designed for newlyweds, usually decorated for a romantic stay
– The hotel offered a honeymoon suite with a view of the ocean. - continental breakfast (noun): a light morning meal often included with a hotel stay that usually includes items like bread, pastries, juice, and coffee
– The room price included a continental breakfast served each morning in the lobby.
Post-Listening Exercise
Summarize the problems that the guest encountered on his visit to the hotel in the conversation. Was each problem resolved to his satisfaction? What would you have done if you had been in his shoes? Discuss your feelings.
Online Investigation
Imagine that you want to make hotel reservations for your dream vacation in another country, but you are looking for very cozy, traditional accommodations instead of a big-chain hotel. Select a city and then find two places that are within your budget, but also will give you a taste of the local culture. Compare the prices and amenities of each place.