CEFR A1-A2
French Hotel Phrases: Check-in, Requests and Complaints
French hotel staff in tourist areas usually speak English but appreciate a French opener. These phrases handle check-in, the standard requests, the standard complaints, and the moments where switching to English is awkward (small-town hotels, Quebec outside Montreal, francophone Africa).
I have a booking under [name].
J' reservation [].
IPA /ʒe yn ʁezɛʁvasjɔ̃ o nɔ̃ də/
zhay oon ray-zair-vah-see-OHN oh nohn duh ...
Default opener. Hand over your passport or ID with the phrase; reception will expect it.
Could you spell that, please?
epeler, ' ?
IPA /vu puve eple sil vu plɛ/
voo poo-VAY ay-peh-LAY seel voo PLAY
Is breakfast included?
- inclus ?
IPA /lə pəti deʒœne ɛ ɛ̃kly/
luh puh-TEE day-zhuh-NAY ay tan-KLOO
Hotels in France often charge breakfast separately even at higher tiers. Confirm at check-in to avoid the surprise charge at checkout.
What time is breakfast?
quelle - ?
IPA /a kɛl œʁ ɛ lə pəti deʒœne/
ah kell URR ay luh puh-TEE day-zhuh-NAY
Could I have a room with a view?
- ?
IPA /ɛs kə ʒə puʁɛ avwaʁ yn ʃɑ̃bʁ avɛk vy/
es kuh zhuh poo-RAY ah-VWAR oon SHAM-bruh ah-VEK voo
Polite conditional 'pourrais'. Direct 'je veux' (I want) would sound rude.
Could I have a quiet room?
, c' ?
IPA /yn ʃɑ̃bʁ kalm sɛ pɔsibl/
oon SHAM-bruh KALM say po-SEE-bluh
The 'c'est possible' tag is a common French construction for softening a request. Effective for noisy streets in central Paris or above clubs in Marseille.
The Wi-Fi is not working.
Wi-Fi .
IPA /lə wifi nə maʁʃ pa/
luh WEE-fee nuh MARSH pah
Pronounced 'WEE-fee' in French, never 'WAI-fai'. 'Marcher' (to work, of objects) rather than 'travailler' (to work, of people).
Could you send up some towels?
serviettes ?
IPA /vu puʁje mɔ̃te de sɛʁvjɛt/
voo poo-ree-AY mohn-TAY day sehr-vee-ET
'Serviettes' covers both bath towels and napkins; context makes it clear at the hotel.
I need to extend my stay by one night.
prolonger sejour ' .
IPA /ʒə vudʁɛ pʁɔlɔ̃ʒe mɔ̃ seʒuʁ dyn nɥi/
zhuh voo-DRAY pro-lohn-ZHAY mohn say-ZHOOR doon NWEE
Could I have a late checkout?
- tardif ?
IPA /ɛs kə ʒə pø avwaʁ œ̃ depaʁ taʁdif/
es kuh zhuh puh ah-VWAR uhn day-PAR tar-DEEF
'Late checkout' as an English term is also widely understood; 'depart tardif' is the proper French version.
Could you call me a taxi?
' taxi ?
IPA /vu puve maple œ̃ taksi/
voo poo-VAY mah-puh-LAY uhn tak-SEE
Reception will usually ask 'pour quelle heure ?' (for what time?). Have a time ready.
Could I have the bill, please?
note, ' ?
IPA /ʒə pø avwaʁ la nɔt sil vu plɛ/
zhuh puh ah-VWAR la NOT seel voo PLAY
'La note' is the hotel bill specifically. In a restaurant the equivalent is 'l'addition'.
Regional notes
France
Most French hotels charge a 'taxe de sejour' (tourist tax) of 0.50 to 5 euros per person per night depending on the star rating and the local council. It is collected at checkout and is usually only payable in cash or by card on top of the room rate.
Quebec
Quebec hotels in Montreal and Quebec City are bilingual; smaller towns may default to French. The local register is more casual than French France; 'pour vrai' (for real) is common in spoken Quebecois.
Francophone Africa
Hotels in Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroon range from international chains to small family hotels. The smaller hotels often operate informally; cash is more common than card, and tipping for housekeeping is more strongly expected than in France.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Should I tip housekeeping in a French hotel?
In France itself, tipping housekeeping is not standard. A small note left at the end of a long stay is appreciated but not expected. In francophone Africa and parts of the French Caribbean, tipping is more strongly expected.
Do I need to show my passport at check-in?
Yes. French law requires hotels to register all guests for at least one night. Have your passport or national ID ready at check-in.
How do I ask for a room with two beds?
Une chambre avec deux lits separes (literally 'a room with two separate beds'). Without 'separes' you risk getting a double bed (un lit double or un grand lit).