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English for Hotel Receptionists

A guest walks up to the front desk and your English vanishes? Whether you call it reception, front desk or front office — the phrases are the same. These phrases cover the whole shift — welcoming, checking in, giving times and calling a taxi. Practice out loud with an AI tutor until they come automatically.

Key phrases

Good evening! Do you have a reservation?
The standard front-desk opener — adjust the greeting to the time of day.
Could I see your passport, please?
"Could I see…" is the polite way to ask for any document.
Here's your key — room 305, on the third floor.
Give the room number and floor — practice numbers out loud.
Breakfast is from 7 to 10 in the lobby.
Guests always ask about meal times — practice "from seven to ten".
Check-out is at 11 a.m.
The most-asked question at any hotel — know it by heart.
Would you like me to call you a taxi?
"Would you like me to…" works for offering any kind of help.
Enjoy your stay!
The perfect friendly ending for every check-in.
How many nights will you be staying?
The standard check-in question — “staying”, not “sleeping”.
Could you fill in this form, please?
“Fill in” (UK) and “fill out” (US) both work — guests understand either.
Your room isn't ready yet — you can leave your luggage here.
“Luggage” is always singular in English.
The Wi-Fi password is on your key card.
The #1 guest question — have the answer ready.
Is everything all right with your room?
A caring follow-up — hotels that ask this get better reviews.

Tip: Numbers trip up receptionists more than anything: rooms, times, prices. Practice saying "three-oh-five" (305), "eleven a.m." and "forty dollars" out loud — it's half the job.

🎙️ Now practice it yourself — the voice tutor listens to you speak and corrects your pronunciation on the spot.

Practice speaking — free →

FAQ

What's the difference between front desk, front office and reception?
They're the same place: "reception" is more British, "front desk" more American, and "front office" is the industry term for the whole guest-facing team. Guests will use all three.

What should a receptionist say when answering the phone in English?
A safe pattern: "Good morning, [hotel name], how can I help you?" Slow and clear beats fast and fancy.

How can I practice front-desk English before my shift?
Out loud — not in your head. Read this page's phrases aloud, then role-play a check-in with WunaTalk's voice tutor: it plays the guest and corrects your pronunciation.

More situations in English: English for Flight Attendants · English for Hotel Housekeeping · English for Retail Workers · English for Bartenders