Intermediate Spanish

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Check In and Check Out: Hotel Reservations
Room Service and Housekeeping
Ask the Concierge: Requesting Advice

Room Service and Housekeeping by Sandra Rosenstiel

Have you got a case of the nibbles? Do you need an extra blanket, fresh towels, or another bar of soap? It's easy to ask for these services in Spanish. Let's start with some helpful phrases and vocabulary.

Room Service

Quisiera ordenar/pedir … (I'd like to order …)

¿Qué lleva … ? (What does … have on it?)

¿Me lo puede preparar con/sin … ? (Can you make it for me with/without … ?)

¿Cuánto tardará? (How long will it take?)

Housekeeping

una almohada (a pillow)

una manta/cobija (a blanket)

unas toallas limpias (clean towels)

una bata (a robe)

un jabón (a bar of soap)

papel higiénico (toilet paper)

un secador de pelo (a hair dryer)

un cepillo de dientes (a toothbrush)

una máquina de afeitar (a razor)

un peine (a comb)

una tabla de planchar (an ironing board)

una plancha (an iron)

The verbs you are most likely to use in these contexts are traer (to bring), dar (to give), and dejar (to leave). When you make a special request, it is generally more appropriate to use the polite phrases you have learned rather than command forms.

Housekeeping and Room Service

TRACK 55

Listen to each request on Track 55 as you follow along in the text. Repeat each example after you hear it.

¿Puede dejarme dos toallas más, por favor?

(Can you leave me two more towels, please?)

¿Me hace el favor de traerme otro jabón, por favor?

(Will you do me the favor of bringing me another bar of soap, please?)

Quisiera pedir un sándwich de jamón y queso. ¿Puede decirme qué más lleva?

(I'd like to order a ham and cheese sandwich. Can you tell me what else it comes with?)

¿Me lo puede preparar con mostaza, por favor?

(Can you make it for me with mustard, please?)

¿Me da otra manta, por favor?

(Will you give me another blanket, please?)

You will normally find hotel staff happy to fulfill your requests, especially if you ask politely and are patient about response time. It's pointless and often counterproductive to lose your temper, but a smile and por favor will go far in getting you what you want.

Place Your Order

Look at the following excerpt from a room service menu, and then play the audio to practice requesting food and beverage.

<tgroup cols="1"> <colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colsep="0" rowsep="0" colwidth="100%" align="right"/> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><B><emphasis>Antojitos</emphasis> (Appetizers)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Cóctel de camarones</emphasis> <B>(Shrimp cocktail)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Plato de quesos y galletas</emphasis> <B>(Cheese and cracker plate)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Gazpacho</emphasis> <B>(Gazpacho)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Platos ligeros</emphasis> <B>(Light dishes)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Sándwich de jamón y queso</emphasis> <B>(Ham and cheese sandwich)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Omelette con tomate y pimiento</emphasis> <B>(Tomato and pepper omelette)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Ensalada del chef con aderezo especial</emphasis> <B>(Chef salad with special dressing)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B><emphasis>Platos fuertes</emphasis> (Main courses)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Bistec con papas</emphasis> <B>(Steak and potatoes)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Pechuga de pollo a la plancha</emphasis> <B>(Grilled chicken breast)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Pescado fresco del d�a</emphasis> <B>(Fresh fish of the day)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Espaguetis con salsa de tomate</emphasis> <B>(Pasta and tomato sauce)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B><emphasis>Postres</emphasis> (Desserts)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Helados variados</emphasis> <B>(Selected ice creams)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Pastel del d�a</emphasis> <B>(Cake of the day)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Flan</emphasis> <B>(Egg custard)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B><emphasis>Fruta</emphasis> (Fruit)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B><emphasis>Bebidas</emphasis> (Beverages)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Vino tinto o blanco, copa o botella</emphasis> <B>(Red or white wine, glass or bottle)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Jugos naturales variados</emphasis> <B>(Assorted fresh juices)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Refrescos</emphasis> <B>(Soft drinks)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Agua mineral</emphasis> <B>(Mineral water)</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Café o té</emphasis> <B>(Coffee or tea)</B></p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <bridgehead>Place Your Order</bridgehead> <div class="npmo"> <img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/np/intermediate-spanish/cd.jpg"> <div class="npcp"><p><emphasis>TRACK 56</emphasis></p></div> </div> <p>Imagine you're in your hotel room and you decide to call room service. Listen to the questions and statements from room service on Track 56. Then listen again to place your order. 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