CEFR A1-A2
Spanish Hotel Phrases: Check-in, Requests and Complaints
Most Spanish hotel staff in tourist areas speak some English, but the experience is better if you open in Spanish and switch only if you have to. These are the phrases that cover almost every check-in, request, and check-out interaction.
I have a booking under [name].
reserva [].
IPA /ˈteŋɡo ˈuna reˈseɾβa a ˈnombɾe de/
TEN-go OO-na reh-SEHR-va ah NOM-breh deh ...
Default opener. Hand over your passport at the same time; reception will expect it for the standard registration form.
Could you spell that, please?
deletrearlo, ?
IPA /poˈðɾia deletɾeˈaɾlo poɾ faˈβoɾ/
po-DREE-ah deh-leh-treh-AR-lo por fah-VOR
Useful if reception is reading back your name and you cannot follow.
Is breakfast included?
incluido desayuno?
IPA /esˈta inkluˈiðo el desaˈʝuno/
es-TAH een-cloo-EE-do el deh-sah-YOO-no
Worth confirming even if your booking says yes; some chains separate room rate and breakfast for tax reasons.
What time is breakfast?
desayuno?
IPA /a ˈke ˈoɾa es el desaˈʝuno/
ah keh OR-ah es el deh-sah-YOO-no
Could I have a room with a view?
?
IPA /poˈðɾia teˈneɾ ˈuna aβitaˈsjon kon ˈbistas/
po-DREE-ah teh-NEHR OO-na ah-bee-tah-see-OHN kon VEES-tahs
Spain uses 'vistas' (plural); Latin America often uses 'vista' (singular). Both are understood.
Could I have a quiet room?
?
IPA /poˈðɾia teˈneɾ ˈuna aβitaˈsjon tɾaŋˈkila/
po-DREE-ah teh-NEHR OO-na ah-bee-tah-see-OHN tran-KEE-la
Effective request near the main road or above a club; reception will move you if possible.
The Wi-Fi is not working.
wifi funciona.
IPA /el ˈwifi no funˈsjona/
el WEE-fee no foon-see-OH-na
Wifi is pronounced 'WEE-fee' across most of the Spanish-speaking world; English 'WAI-fai' will be understood but sounds foreign.
Could you send up some towels?
toallas?
IPA /poˈðɾian suˈβiɾ ˈunas toˈaʝas/
po-DREE-an soo-BEER OO-nas toh-AH-yas
Plural 'podrian' addresses the hotel collectively; reception understands this as a request to housekeeping.
I need to extend my stay by one night.
extender estancia .
IPA /neseˈsito eksˈtenˈdeɾ mi esˈtansja ˈuna ˈnotʃe ˈmas/
neh-seh-SEE-to ex-ten-DEHR mee es-TAHN-see-ah OO-na NO-cheh mahs
In Latin America 'estadia' is preferred to 'estancia'; both are widely understood.
Could I have a late checkout?
checkout ?
IPA /poˈðɾia aˈseɾ el ˈtʃekawt ˈmas ˈtaɾde/
po-DREE-ah ah-SEHR el check-out mahs TAR-deh
Checkout is now widely loaned from English in Spanish-language hotels. 'Salida tardia' is the more formal alternative.
Could you call me a taxi?
pedirme ?
IPA /poˈðɾia peˈðiɾme un ˈtaksi/
po-DREE-ah peh-DEER-meh oon TAK-see
Some Latin American countries use 'llamar un taxi' instead of 'pedir'; both are clear.
Could I have the bill, please?
, ?
IPA /poˈðɾia paˈɣaɾ la ˈkwenta poɾ faˈβoɾ/
po-DREE-ah pah-GAR la KWEN-ta por fah-VOR
Reception will ask if you want to pay 'con tarjeta' (card) or 'en efectivo' (cash).
Regional notes
Spain
Spanish hotels almost always require a 'tasa turistica' (tourist tax) on top of the room rate in Catalunya, the Balearics and the Canary Islands. Reception will ask for cash for this small additional charge even on card-paid stays.
Mexico and most of Latin America
Many hotels expect tips on housekeeping (around 20-50 pesos per night) left in the room and small tips for porters. This is more strongly expected than in Spain.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Should I tip housekeeping in a Spanish hotel?
In Spain itself, tipping housekeeping is not standard and is appreciated but not expected. In most of Latin America it is more strongly expected; leaving a small daily amount in cash on the bed is the norm.
Do I need to show my passport at check-in?
Yes. Spain and most Latin American countries legally require hotels to register all guests and report the registration to the local authorities. Have your passport ready at check-in.
How do I ask for a room with two beds?
Una habitacion doble con dos camas (literally 'a double room with two beds'). Without 'con dos camas' you risk getting a double bed (cama de matrimonio).