UNIT 1:

HOTEL TYPES AND ACTIVITES

PART 1: WORD STUDY

Match the types of the hotel with the following descriptions:
1.
2.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

resort hotel
motel
commercial /business hotel
airport hotel
luxury / suite hotel
conference / congress hotel
guest house / budget hotel

a.
b.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

It is built specially to provide a service to motorists.

It is situated in a place where tourists like to stay, often near the sea. Guests may stay
for a week or two, and usually book in advance.
It is often situated in a town center, and provides accommodation for travelling
businessmen, staying only one or two nights.
It provides facilities for large meetings and conferences, with a lecture theatre and
exhibition facilities.
It provides low-price accommodation, usually on a small scale, for holiday visitors or
for long-stay guests.
It is situated in pleasant scenery, and provides comfortable but informal
accommodation for people who want to relax in a quiet place.
It provides every facility a wealthy guest might need.

PART 2: LISTENING
1. Tapescipt 1.1
Listen to the people on the tape. What kind of hotel do you think
would suit them? Match the inquiries on the left with the hotel types on the right. The first
is done for you.
Inquiry 1
a.
a luxury hotel
Inquiry 2
b.
a tourist hotel
Inquiry 3
c.
a middle-range hotel
Inquiry 4
d.
an airport hotel
Inquiry 5
e.
a commercial hotel
Inquiry 6
f.
a motel
2. Tapescipt 1.2
Now listen to the complete conversations. Check your answers to
1. Fill in the details about the type of hotel and its location. The first is done for you.
HOTEL
1. Golden Gate
2. Trans-Pacific
3. Grand Continental
4. Embassy
5. Palma dOro
6. Excelsior

HOTEL TYPE
motel

LOCATION
Ten miles along the freeway

PART 3: LANGUAGE FOCUS AND PRACTICE

a.

Complete these sentences:

1. Try the Golden Gate Motel. It's just ten miles along the freeway, very comfortable and
friendly.

2.

Try the Trans-Pacific. It's just ___________________________________. It's very efficient.

3. I recommend the Grand Continental. It's a top-quality, luxury hotel, ____________,
overlooking __________________.
4. I recommend the Embassy Hotel. It's a comfortable, middle-range hotel,
______________, overlooking _____________________.
5. Try the Palma d'Oro in Palamos. It's a first-class tourist hotel, _________________,
overlooking _________________.
6. I can recommend the Excelsior Hotel. It's a nice, spacious commercial hotel,
_______________________
b.

Write the sentences to describe the hotels:

1.

The Golden Gate Motel is very comfortable and friendly.

2.

The Trans-Pacific

3.

The Grand Continental ......................................................................................................

4.

The Embassy Hotel

5.

The Palma d'Oro

......................................................................................................

6.

The Excelsior Hotel

.......................................................................................................

c.

......................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................

Write the sentences to tell the location of the hotels:

1. The Golden Gate Motel is just ten miles along the freeway.
2. The Trans-Pacific

......................................................................................................

3. The Grand Continental

.......................................................................................................

4. The Embassy Hotel

......................................................................................................

5. The Palma d'Oro

......................................................................................................

6. The Excelsior Hotel ......................................................................................................

Expressions of location: situated in; near the sea; in a town center; in pleasant scenery; in a
quiet place; (two) minutes from; located in; close to; centrally located; attractively set (beside);
with views of; surrounded by; in the heart of; overlooking; midway between;
d.

Complete the sentences with the name of the hotels you know:

1. Rex hotel is situated in the city center.

2. ..................................... is near the sea.
3. ..................................... is in a town center.
4. ..................................... is attractively set in pleasant scenery.
5. ..................................... is located in a quiet place.
6. ..................................... five minutes from the beach.
7. ..................................... is close to the business district.
8. ..................................... is centrally located in the heart of the city center.

9. ..................................... is attractively set in pleasant scenery with views of the mountain.

10. ..................................... is situated in a beautiful place, overlooking the beach.
e.
What kind of hotel would suit the people below?
1.
Miss Salvesen: I want to spend a week in a place with lots of sun and sand.
Receptionist:
I can recommend the Ky Van resort.
It is a very attractive place
Try the Ky Van resort.
2.
Mr Delgado:
I have to go back to Madrid tomorrow, early in the morning.
Receptionist:
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
3.
Mr and Mrs Rose: We want to be comfortable, but we don't want to spend too much money.
Receptionist:
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
4.
Don Ellis:
Money is no problem. I want every possible facility.
Receptionist:
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
5.
Mr Lepage:
Is there anywhere I can stay for the night, near the city centre?
Receptionist:
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
PART 4: SPEAKING
Giving information about the hotel.
Practice the conversation.
Receptionist: Royal hotel. May I help you?
Guest:

Yes. Im going on holiday with my family and Id like some information about
your hotel.

Receptionist: Certainly, madam. What would you like to know?

Guest:

First, is it near the beach?

Receptionist: Yes. Our hotel is five minutes walk from the beach.
Guest:

Are there any facilities for a family with three young children?

Receptionist: Yes, madam. We have a beautiful playground and a spacious games room.
Guest:

Very good. Do I need to make a reservation?

Receptionist: Yes, madam. I suppose you should. This hotel is very popular.
Guest:

I see. Could you possibly send me some details?

Receptionist: Certainly. Could you give your name and address?

Guest:

OK, Mrs. Wallace, 14 Station Road, London N6.

Receptionist: Yes, Mrs. Wallace. Ill send them for you.

Guest:

Thank you for your help.

Receptionist: Youre welcome.

These people are making enquiries in an information bureau. Which hotel would suit each
person and why? Complete the conversations and then practice with your partner.
GUEST 1
GUEST:
I'd like you to book me a hotel.
CLERK:
Yes sir. What kind of hotel did you have in mind?
GUEST:
The best hotel in town. My wife has never been in Vung Tau before and I want
this to be the holiday of a lifetime.
CLERK:
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
GUEST 2
CLERK:
Good morning madam.
GUEST:
Hello, I'm looking for a place to stay tonight. .. somewhere not too expensive . ..
just Bed and Breakfast for me and the children.
CLERK:
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
GUEST 3
GUEST:
I'm passing through on business, and I need somewhere to stay for a few nights.
I'd
prefer a hotel in the centre of town.
CLERK:
Yes sir - there's a hotel very near here where a lot of businessmen stay... It's
called. . ..................................................................................................................
GUEST 4
GUEST:

Can you recommend a nice hotel where we can stay for a week in the summer . ..
somewhere traditional... on the sea front?

CLERK:

Somewhere traditional. .. and with a view of the sea. . .

GUEST:

That's right. . . you know, somewhere nice for a week's holiday. .. so that we can
walk along the beach whenever we want a bit of exercise. . .

CLERK:

..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................

GUEST 5
GUEST:

We'd like somewhere outside town.... somewhere quiet. ... with nice places for
walking.

CLERK:

Mm ... there are some nice hotels in Vung Tau. .. I've got a brochure for one here.
It's a lovely, peaceful place. .. it's called. .....................................................

PART 5:
READING
1. Look at the advertisements below. Which hotel is:
1. an airport hotel?
________________________
2. a commercial hotel?
________________________
3. a luxury hotel?
________________________
4. a motel?
________________________
5. a tourist hotel?
________________________

GOLDEN SANDS HOTEL

WAYFARERS LODGE
The hotel for your holiday! 2 swimming pools, On Highway 65, 34 kilometers north of San
night club, cabaret. On the edge of San
Cristobal top - quality accommodation for
Cristobal , overlooking the beach.
travelers.
WHISPERING PINES
THE EXECUTIVE
Spacious 5 star hotel with all possible In the center of Arcadia City financial district,
facilities for sport, entertainment and overlooking the National Bank. First class
relaxation. In the heart of the mountains, business and conference facilities.
overlooking Bear Valley.

TRANSCONTINENTAL
Only 15 minutes from Arcadia Airport ( free courtesy coach)
Friendly and effective service

Read the hotel descriptions and match them to their star ratings.
one star ___
two star ___
three star ___
four star ___

five star ___

2
A degree of luxury is included at this
level. Public areas and bedrooms are more
spacious with quality furnishings and
decor and satellite TV. The en suite
bathrooms are fully equipped. A variety
of services is provided, such as porter
service, 24-hour room service, laundry
and dry-cleaning. Staff will have very
good technical and social skills, anticipating and responding to guests' needs.

Hotels in this category provide luxury and

exceptional comfort. The restaurant has a high
level of technical skill, producing dishes to the
highest international standards. Staff are well
trained in customer care and are especially
attentive, efficient and courteous.

4
Hotels in this category offer practical
accommodation and are probably small
with a family atmosphere. Facilities and
meals are simple. Some bedrooms do not
have an en suite bath or shower room,
although maintenance, cleanliness and
comfort need to be of an acceptable
standard.
Hotels are usually larger and provide a
greater quality and range of facilities than
at the lower levels. All bedrooms have a
complete en suite bath / shower room and
offer a better standard of comfort and
equipment, such as a direct-dial
telephone, a hairdryer and toiletries in the
bathroom. Room service is also provided
and staff respond well to guests' needs.

In this classification hotels are typically small

to medium sized and offer more extensive
facilities than at the one-star level. Guests can
find more comfortable and well-equipped
accommodation, usually with an en suite
bath / shower room and color TV. Hotel staff
will offer a more professional service than at
the one-star level.
5

Read the text again and underline examples of the following:

1
room facilities
2
hotel facilities
3
three adjectives used to describe hotel staff
4
five adjectives used to describe hotels
PART 6: WRITING:
Look at the information below about some people who want to spend two days in London.
Study the map and hotel advertisements and decide where the people would probably
choose to stay.
Mr and Mrs Arnold
Reason for trip: to celebrate 30th wedding anniversary.
Plans: shopping, celebration meal and perhaps a play in the evening.
Jane Carr and Susan Yates (Art students)
Reason for trip: to visit art galleries.
.
Plans: go to Tate and National Gallery, evening - something lively?
Mr and Mrs Grant and children (8 and 10 years)
Reason for trip: special treat for children.
Plans: sightseeing - Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, British Museum.

2. Museum of Wax figures

3. British Museum
4. National Gallery
5. Houses of Parliament
6. Tate Gallery
7. Natural History and
8. Science Museums
9. Buckingham Palace
Princes Hotel
Crown Hotel
Plaza Hotel
Great Central Hotel
Key:
1. Madame Tussauds
CROWN HOTEL
45 rooms
A friendly and reasonably priced hotel situated
near the river. The Crown has its own bar,
restaurant, T.V. lounge and games room. It
offers good home cooking and packed lunches
can be prepared on request. Single, double and
family rooms are available and most have
private bathrooms.
PRINCES HOTEL
32 rooms
Less than two minutes from the underground,
this hotel makes an ideal base for people
visiting London on a budget. The rooms are
small but comfortable and some have private
bathrooms. There is a bar on the ground floor
and a disco for residents and nonresidents at
weekends. Guests may , choose bed and
breakfast or full board.

Shops or Department Stores

Theatres

GREAT CENTRAL HOTEL

120 rooms
The Great Central is a luxurious hotel ideally
situated in the West End. Its amenities include a
choice of restaurants, a ballroom, a beauty salon
and the Palm Court Lounge where traditional
afternoon teas are served. The bedrooms are
attractively furnished and all have private
bathrooms and color T. V. Car hire, sightseeing
tours and theatre seats can be booked at the
hotel reception.
PLAZA HOTEL
130 rooms
This
elegant
hotel
provides
superb
accommodation and excellent service. It is
situated in a fashionable area and within easy
reach of London's most famous department
store. The Plaza has a sophisticated cocktail bar
and comfortable lounge where guests can relax.
All the rooms are twin-bedded with color T. V.,
mini-bar and private bath.

I think Mr and Mrs Arnold would prefer to stay

because ..

The best hotel for Jane Carr and Susan Yates would be
because ..

The Grants would probably choose ..

because ..