ESL Podcast 1034 - Making Changes to a Hotel Reservation

reservations - the department or group of employees in a hotel, rental car company or other business that is responsible for making arrangements for future visits or use of services by customers

The reservations staff said they don't have any rooms available until Tuesday.

existing - current; in existence now; already in place

Do we have any information technology experts on our existing staff?

reservation number - a number or code assigned to a specific customer's future visit or use of service so that it can be found quickly and easily in the computer system

I'm sorry, but we can't find a reservation under that name. Do you have your reservation number?

check-in - when one begins one's stay at a hotel, arrives for an airplane flight, or indicate that one has arrived for another service

Most of the conference participants have a Sunday-evening check-in so that they can get a good night's rest before the sessions begin on Monday morning.

check-out - when one ends one's stay at a hotel or officially leaves a place providing a service

The hotel's check-out time is 11:00 a.m. If you stay later, you might be charged for an additional night.

party - a group of people using some service or facility together and at the same time

We weren't expecting such a large party of dinner guests. Please wait at the bar until we can prepare a table for you.

courtyard - the open area that is surrounded by the walls of a building, usually with plants, benches, and seating areas

The people who live in those apartments often have community barbeques and other parties in the courtyard.

room - the space occupied by a guest in a hotel, usually a connected bedroom and bathroom

Each room can accommodate up to four adults.

view - with a window or balcony facing something that is pleasant to look at, especially an ocean, mountains, or a city

Their apartment offers a great view of the Statue of Liberty.

upper floor - one of the top floors of a tall building

My office is on the upper floor of the skyscraper, so I can see most of the city.

room rate - the cost of staying in a hotel room for one night; the per-night price of a hotel room

Conference attendees can get a discounted room rate of just $165 per night.

on second thought - a phrase used when one has changed one's mind and wants to let the other person know that a new idea or proposal is coming

Those designs are nice, but on second thought, let's see what it looks like if we change the font size and color.

suite - a group of connected rooms used by one hotel guest, usually a bedroom, a living area or sitting room, and a large bathroom

Randall sometimes has to stay at a hotel for up to two weeks at a time, so he prefers to find a suite that feels more like a home than a hotel room.

to overlook - to offer a view of something from above

Her office overlooks the port, so she can see ships moving up and down the river all day long.

pool - a swimming pool; a large hole in the ground filled with water for people to play and exercise in

How often does the city change the water in the pool?

to stick to - to decide not to change one's plans; to commit to one's original plan or idea

I didn't realize it would be so expensive to change the flight! Let's stick to our original plans.

to cancel - to change one's plans so that one is no longer expected to have or do something in the future; to discontinue; to arrange for something to stop

Why did you cancel your membership to the gym?

bother - someone or something that is annoying or irritating, creating problems or difficulties for others

Are you sure it isn't a bother for me to get a ride in your car to go to Boise?