Let’s learn about hotel and restaurant vocabulary.
| Word | Meaning | Example sentence |
| Appetizer | A small dish served before the main course to stimulate the appetite. | We started our meal with a delicious spinach and artichoke dip as an appetizer. |
| Main course | The primary dish of a meal, usually consisting of a protein (such as meat, fish, or vegetarian options) and accompanying sides. | For the main course, I’ll have the grilled salmon with mashed potatoes. |
| Concierge | A hotel employee who assists guests with various services, such as booking reservations or providing local information. | The concierge recommended a great local restaurant for dinner. |
| Complimentary | Provided free of charge as a courtesy to guests. | The hotel offers complimentary airport shuttle service. |
| Amenities | Additional features or services provided by a hotel to enhance guests’ comfort and convenience. | The hotel offers a fitness center, spa, and complimentary Wi-Fi as part of its amenities. |
| Check-in | The process of registering and receiving keys upon arrival at a hotel. | Check-in time is after 3:00 PM. |
| Cuisine | A style or type of cooking, often associated with a specific region or culture. | The restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine, serving authentic pasta dishes. |
| Mini-bar | A small refrigerator in a hotel room stocked with snacks and beverages. | I enjoyed some refreshments from the mini-bar during my stay. |
| Menu | A list of food and drink items available in a restaurant. | The restaurant offers a diverse menu with options for every taste. |
| Dessert | Sweet dishes served at the end of a meal. | The chocolate lava cake is a popular choice for dessert |
| Reservation | The act of reserving a table in a restaurant for a specific date and time. | I made a reservation for two at 7:30 PM. |
| Server | The person who takes orders and serves food to customers in a restaurant. | Our server was attentive and recommended some great dishes. |
| Luggage | Bags and suitcases containing a traveler’s belongings. | I dropped off my luggage at the front desk before checking in. |
| Key card | A plastic card used to unlock a hotel room door. | I accidentally left my key card in the room and had to go back to the front desk for a replacement. |
| Housekeeping | The department responsible for cleaning and maintaining hotel rooms. | Housekeeping came by to tidy up the room while I was out. |
| Turn-down service | Evening service provided by housekeeping where the bed is prepared for sleeping and towels are refreshed. | The turn-down service included placing chocolates on the pillows. |
| Spa | A place within a hotel offering beauty treatments, massages, and relaxation services. | After a long day of sightseeing, I treated myself to a relaxing spa session. |
| Jacuzzi | A heated whirlpool or tub for relaxation. | The hotel’s rooftop has a stunning jacuzzi overlooking the city skyline. |
| Lost and found | The area where items left behind by guests are kept until claimed. | I left my sunglasses in the restaurant, and the staff sent them to the hotel’s lost and found. |
| Motel | A roadside lodging facility with rooms accessible from the outside. | We stopped at a motel for the night during our road trip. |
| Boutique hotel | A small, stylish hotel with personalized services and unique design. | We chose to stay in a boutique hotel to experience its intimate atmosphere. |
| Resort | A destination-style hotel with a focus on recreational activities and relaxation. | The beachfront resort offered water sports, spa treatments, and fine dining. |
| Lodging | A general term referring to accommodations or places to stay, including hotels, motels, and lodges. | There’s a variety of lodging options available in this area, from luxury hotels to budget motels. |
| Porter | A hotel staff member responsible for assisting guests with their luggage. | The porter helped us with our bags and showed us to our room. |
| Buffet | A self-service dining arrangement with a variety of food options. | The breakfast buffet had a wide selection of pastries, fruits, and hot dishes. |
| A la carte | A dining option where each food item is priced separately. | Instead of the buffet, I prefer to order a la carte from the menu. |
| Prix fixe | A fixed-price menu with a predetermined number of courses. | The chef’s special for tonight is a three-course prix fixe menu. |
| Tasting menu | A multi-course menu that offers small portions of various dishes. | We opted for the tasting menu to experience a variety of the chef’s creations. |
| Sommelier | A trained wine expert who assists guests in selecting wines that pair well with their meals. | The sommelier recommended a delightful red wine to complement our steak. |
| Corkage fee | A charge levied by the restaurant for opening and serving a bottle of wine brought by the guest. | There’s a corkage fee if you’d like to bring your own bottle of wine to the restaurant. |
| Doorman | A hotel employee stationed at the entrance who opens doors and greets guests. | The doorman hailed a taxi for us and wished us a pleasant day. |
| Lobby | The main entrance and reception area of a hotel. | We relaxed in the comfortable chairs in the hotel’s elegant lobby |
| Corridor/hallway | The pathway that leads to hotel rooms from the main areas. | Our room was at the end of the corridor, offering more privacy and less foot traffic. |
| Hotel directory | A guide provided in hotel rooms containing information about services, facilities, and local attractions. | I used the hotel directory to find a nearby restaurant for dinner. |
| Valet service | A service where hotel staff park and retrieve guests’ vehicles. | We opted for the valet service to avoid the hassle of finding parking. |
| Cocktail | An alcoholic mixed drink typically made with spirits, mixers, and garnishes. | I ordered a classic martini as my cocktail of choice. |
| Mocktail | A non-alcoholic beverage that mimics the flavors and presentation of a cocktail. | I enjoyed a refreshing mocktail made with fresh fruit and sparkling water. |
| Happy hour | A designated time during which drinks are offered at reduced prices. | Let’s head to the bar during happy hour for some discounted drinks. |
| Bartender | The person responsible for preparing and serving drinks at the bar. | The bartender recommended a special cocktail based on my preferences. |
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