At the hotel

When people travel they almost always stay at hotels or guesthouses. The best way is to have a reservation in your name beforehand. In this case you’ll be sure to stay at a hotel without any problems. You can book a room by letter, telephone, or you may arrive at the hotel and be told that there are no rooms available. 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 many hotels a baggage-man takes your luggage and shows you the way to the reception desk. The receptionist will ask you what room you want (a single or a double room, a suite) and for how many days (nights) you are going to stay at the hotel. He may offer you a room will all modern conveniences. Then he will ask you to check-in (sign in) at a hotel. At the hotel you must first observe some formalities. On arrival at the hotel go to the reception desk and confirm your reservation. The desk-clerk will give 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.

The registration form is usually filled in in block letters. Let the hotel manager know in advance the day and the time of your departure. 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. Now 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 key-rack.

At the hotel you will find rooms with or without bath, with shower, single rooms, double rooms, twin rooms and complete suites consisting of two or more rooms. The room charge (price) usually includes your breakfast. Sometimes it includes the service, or the service is paid additionally. 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.

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.

All hotels run a special laundry service for their guests. You can have your laundry done and your clothes ironed (pressed). The maid who does your room every morning will also make your bed. Some hotels also provide computerized safes for their guests' documents and valuables. In all hotels you can make a request for an early call to wake you up.

Hotels offer a lot of facilities, such as 24 hours daily room service, coffee bars, snack bars for quick meals and grill-rooms, restaurants, beauty parlors, barber's shops, hairdresser's parlour, laundry, dry cleaning, etc. For conferences and banquets some hotels can accommodate participants and guests, and there are smaller rooms for seminars and individual parties. Among other facilities, there are swimming pools, saunas, other recreation facilities. Hotels can organize car hire sightseeing tours, entertainments.

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 the day and hour of checking out (signing out) of a hotel so that he could have the bill ready for them in time before leaving.