6.

Accommodation

“The great advantage of a hotel

is that it’s a refuge from homelife.”
G.B. Shaw
I. In groups, name:
a. some types of accommodation;
b. some types of rooms;
c. major hotels or hotel chains in Romania/ abroad;
d. organisations which rate hotels.

II. Use the sentences below to fill in the gaps in the text, so as to have a coherent presentation:
a. People who do not wish to keep house themselves can rent accommodation on a seasonal basis
or even permanently in many hotels.
b. When automobiles were first used, flimsy and inexpensive tourist cabins were built beside the
highways.
c. Mobile Oil Corporation has been rating restaurants and hotels since 1959 and publishing the
rating results in the Mobile Travel Guide.
d. This system puts the top hotels in a special deluxe category, with others receiving from five
stars to one star or “A’s”.
e. In many cases, the hotel also provides free space for the traveller’s means of transportation.
f. In a luxury hotel, there may be three employees for every guest room.
g. At the bottom are those that provide merely a place to sleep.
h. Thus, the airplane made many more places available for development as resorts, including
places that were quite isolated.
i. The hotel chains have several competitive advantages over individually owned and operated
establishments.
j. In addition, many resort hotels nowadays are also designed with complete convention facilities.

A hotel is a temporary home for people who are travelling. In a hotel, the traveller can rest and have
access to food and drink, either on the premises or nearby. The hotel may also offer facilities for
recreation, such as a swimming pool, a golf course or a beach. ……1….In this day and age, that of course
means the automobile. All of these services are designed to accommodate the traveller, so the hotel
business is often referred to as the accommodation industry.
The word motel was created by combining the words motor and hotel, and is used to designate the same
kind of accommodation facility. …………2……Then, cabins were replaced by motels, offering services
comparable to the more traditional hotels.
As regards the growth of the accommodation industry, it is attributable to the development in
transportation. ……….3……. Now, resorts may offer mountain scenery, the combination of sun and sea,
or features that are entirely man-made, like Disneyland in California.
Once the accommodation business flourished, hotel and motel chains developed. They are businesses
that operate at least several outlets. The Hilton, Sheraton and Holiday Inn enterprises are examples of
worldwide hotel chains.
………4…….One of the most important is having the resources to spend more money on advertising.
There are about 400,000 hotel and motel properties in the world, which can be classified according to
various criteria, such as: markets (clientele), location, number of rooms, room rates, service quality etc.
All hotels do not serve the same clientele, that is, the same kind of guests. In fact, it is possible to place
hotels in four broad categories. The first is the commercial hotel, which provides services essentially for
transients, many of them travelling on business. Many city hotels and diversely located motels fall into
this group. The second category is resort hotels, located in holiday areas, which provide recreational
 facilities of their own at will. A third type of hotels aims its services largely at the convention trade, i.e.
meeting usually held on a regular basis by various businesses or professional groups. The fourth category
is resident hotels………5…….. But, of course, there are hotels which may offer all types of services.
And even a small motel may have banquet rooms and meeting rooms in addition to its accommodation
for transients. ……..6………
Another way of categorising hotels is by the quality of service they offer. At the top are the luxury
hotels, which generally offer their guests the greatest comfort and convenience possible. ……………
7………..In between these two extremes are establishments offering a wide range of service and comfort.
A system for rating hotels according to quality is widely used in France and a number of other
countries. …..8……The standard features include private bathrooms, room telephones, recreational
facilities, and so on.
The difference in quality between hotels is not, however, entirely a mater of equipment or furnishings.
The proportion of employees to guests and/ or guest rooms is also a matter of prime importance. In
general, the accommodation industry is labour intensive; that is it employs a large number of people to
perform its services. ……..9…… However, in a large commercial hotel in a big city, the ratio is usually
closer to one employee per guest room.
The most influential rating companies in the USA are: the Mobile Oil Corporation, Triple A, AHMA,
Exxon, Fodor’s, Fielding’s, Michelin and Rand McNally. ……10…….They use a system of
categorisation properties from one to five stars, their ratings being based on architectural style and
services offered.

III. Find words/ phrases in the text which mean:

1. all services designed to accommodate the traveller;
2. a place to which people travel for recreation;
3. the clientele of a hotel;
4. a hotel providing services especially for transients;
5. a hotel providing services aimed at the convention trade
6. a place where people can rent accommodation on a seasonal basis or even permanently;
7. a hotel offering the guests the greatest comforts
8. furniture, fittings, and other decorative accessories such as curtains and carpets, for a house or room.

IV. Five elderly ladies want to go on holiday to Bath and have asked you to find suitable hotel
accommodation. Each one has special wishes. They do not mind staying in different hotels. Look
at the six hotels given and tick (9) the best one for each person.

1. Hilton Bath Waterside (****) The Hilton Bath Waterside is beautifully situated where the Kennet
and Avon canals meet the River Avon. Relax and enjoy the friendly service and glorious views from
the hotel’s Waterside restaurant. British Rail station Bath: ¼ mile
SAVE: Save £3 in Mar/Apr, £2 in Jul/Aug and £5 in Jan/Feb.
Price per person per Spring Summer Winter
night (£)
Bed, full breakfast 46 46 44
Bed, full breakfast and N/A 61 59
dinner
Single supplement 20 20 18

2. Hilton Bath City (****) The Hilton Bath City is situated in the centre of the city. This modern hotel
has leisure facilities which include a small indoor pool, sauna, steam room and gym. Within
 walking distance are the Roman Baths with Pump Room, the Royal Crescent and the Museum of
Costume; car park nearby. British Rail station Bath: ½ mile.
SAVE: Save £3 in Mar. Special Sunday night offer £36 B&B; Ask for our bed and full board
arrangements all year round.

Price per person per Spring Summer Winter

night (£)
Bed, full breakfast 51 51 49
Single supplement 20 20 20

3. Abbey Hotel (***) This elegant hotel, restored to its Georgian splendour is situated in the very heart
of Bath, close to the Roman Baths, Pump Room and Abbey. The award-winning restaurant offers
food of seasonal individuality and high quality plus a comprehensive, sensibly-priced wine list. Car
parking close by. British Rail Bath Spa: ¼ mile.
SAVE: Save 20% in Jul/Aug/Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb. Sunday night saver: 7 nights for the price of 6.

Price per person per Spring Summer Winter

night (£)
Bed, full breakfast 57 59 59
Bed, full breakfast and 65 69 69
dinner
Single supplement 14 14 14

4. Pratts Hotel (***) Pratts Hotel is centrally located within historic Bath, close to the Abbey, Roman
Baths, Royal Crescent and wonderful shops. The historical ambience of the hotel combines with
modern facilities, superb food, and friendly service. British Rail Bath: ¼ mile.
SAVE: 7 nights for the price of 6.

Price per person per Spring Summer Winter

night (£)
Bed, full breakfast 60 60 60
Single supplement 25 25 25

5. Heritage Hotel, The Francis (***) The Francis sits on the south side of elegant Queen’s Square, a
short walk from the Roman Baths, Pump Rooms, the Royal Crescent and many of the town’s superb
shops, galleries and museums. Facilities include the Edgar Restaurant and Café / bar, lounge and
limited free car parking in the basement. British Rail Bath Spa: 2 miles.
SAVE: Save £5 in Jul/Aug

Price per person per Spring Summer Winter

night (£)
Bed, full breakfast 59 70 65
Bed, full breakfast and N/A 85 80
dinner
 6. Lansdown Grove Hotel (***) Lansdown Grove Hotel is an 18 th century building set in delightful
gardens. The hotel occupies a prominent position overlooking the Georgian city. The hotel has
recently been refurbished to provide guests with comfortable and elegant surroundings. Many of the
bedrooms have far-reaching southerly views over the city to the wooded hills beyond. British Rail
Bath Spa: 2 miles.
SAVE: Save 20% in Jul/Aug (Sun-Thurs)

Price per person per Spring Summer Winter

night (£)
Bed, full breakfast and 65 69 69
dinner
Single supplement 45 53 53
(Mon-Th)

Sandra loves relaxing overlooking water.

a) Hilton Bath Waterside
b) Hilton Bath City
c) Lansdowne Grove Hotel
d) Pratts Hotel
2 Elena cannot walk very far so she wants a hotel where she can park her car.
a) Abbey Hotel
b) Hilton Bath City
c) Heritage Hotel, The Francis
d) Pratts Hotel
3 Marie likes to be near the town centre where she can go shopping, go for a drink or visit interesting local sites.
a) Abbey Hotel
b) Hilton Bath Waterside
c) Pratts Hotel
d) Lansdowne Grove Hotel
4 Patricia loves luxury and wants to do something for her body, but wants all-inclusive offers.
a) Hilton Bath City
b) Hilton Bath Waterside
c) Heritage Hotel, The Francis
d) Lansdowne Grove Hotel
5 Christine loves old buildings set in beautiful surroundings.
a) Abbey Hotel
b) Heritage Hotel, The Francis
c) Lansdowne Grove Hotel
d) Pratts Hotel

V. Match the following types of rooms with their explanations:

1. family room a. a luxurious suite at the top of a building;

2. twin room b. a room occupied by one person;
3. suite c. a room with one large bed for two persons;
4. adjoining room d. a room with two single beds for two people;
5. double room e. a room with four or more beds, very suitable for a family with children;
6. triple room f. a room where guests may read, watch TV etc.;
7. single room g. a room with a double bed and a single bed, or with three single beds,
suitable for three people;
8. penthouse h. two or more rooms with a door to allow access from one room to
another;
9. lounge/ sitting i. a set of two or more rooms including a bathroom and a waiting room;
room
10. duplex j. a room adjacent to a pool area, with or without sleeping facilities;
usually separate from the hotel’s main building;
11. cabana k. a one-room parlour setup with one or two couches that convert to a bed;
sometimes called an executive room;
12. efficiency l. a room overlooking water or a garden, with a balcony or patio (found
mainly in resort hotels);
13. hospitality suite m. a parlour with connecting bedroom(s) to be used for entertaining;

14. studio n. a two-storey suite – parlour and bedroom(s) connected by a stairway;

15. lanai o. an accommodation containing some type of kitchen facility.

VI. Fill in the blanks with words/ phrases from the box:

guest house accommodation bacon and eggs premises home

bedrooms friendly dining-room privacy hostess

B&B is a form of holiday ……….1……….which originated in Britain. Travellers are given the
opportunity to stay in private houses in one of the spare ………….2……….or in a small …………
3…….. . The owner who usually lives on the ……..4……..will welcome his/ her guests in a warm and
………….5……..way. Thus they are given the chance to make friends, but if they wish their …………
6………….will be respected and they can have all their meals in a separate ………….7…………. It’s
like having a home away from ……..8……. . In addition to a comfortable bed, the ………..9………..will
prepare her guests a traditional English breakfast of …………10……… .

VII. Here is a text about the “worst hotel in the world”. Fill in the gaps using the words given:
disclaimer limbs weed amenities liable
cleanish dubbed plunge caters filthy

The Hans Brinker Budget Hotel in Amsterdam is bad and it knows it. The hotel is proudly
………..1………the “worst hotel in the world.” The hotel ………….2……..to backpackers and
students, and its ……..3……..include hostel-style rooms equipped with metal bunk beds and blue metal
lockers from $22.50 a night. The hotel’s advertising warns customers of its …….4…….conditions in
advance. Past slogans include:
Improve your immune system – stay at Hans Brinker!
It can’t get any worse. But we’ll do our best.
Now with beds in every room.
Proudly disappointing travelers for 40 years.
The hotel’s …….5……..: 'Those wishing to stay at the Hans Brinker Budget Hotel, Amsterdam,
do so at their own risk and will not hold the hotel ………6……..for food poisoning, mental
 breakdowns, terminal illness, lost ……..7…….., radiation poisoning, certain diseases associated with
the 18th century, plague, etc.’
The hotel operates a strict eco-friendly policy, which includes no hot water in its showers and
eco-friendly elevators (the stairs). It also encourages customers to dry off using the curtains to save the
planet.
Here are some reviews from Tripadvisor.com from travelers who have taken the ……8……:
"The accommodation is extremely basic and some of the rooms look like prison dorms, but it's
…….9……. and cheap, the bar sells a cheap pint, and you do get breakfast." (John W.)
“Stayed here with a travel group last week. Had to be one of the worst experiences of the trip.
The hostel stank of ………10…….., our rooms were not clean, and the bathrooms stank of urine. At
night, there were drunk people banging on the walls and they turned on the fire hose outside the room at
4 am and managed to get all our luggage wet. Please never stay here — Amsterdam is a wonderful city,
but this truly almost ruined it for me.” (Ericholl94)
The hotel manager Tijmen Receveur says the hotel’s approach is a hit with travelers and
students. “'They love our humour and sarcasm – and they have diminished their expectations to less
than nothing,” he explains.

VIII. Fill in the text with appropriate replies:

A: I would like to have a single room with a bath on the third floor.
Receptionist: Sorry, ………………………………………….. . (Consulting the register) Let me see what
I can do for you. Oh, yes. We have a single room with a shower or a suite on the seventh floor. Will that
suit you?
A: Of course. I’ll ……………………………
R: Very well. It is a comfortable, quiet back room with windows facing the garden.
…………………………
A: Just a couple of days.
R: Would you mind filling your particulars in the register, please?
A: …………………………..(Fills in the register.)……………………………..?
R: Your room number is 756 and here is your key. (He takes it from the key-rack.)
A: Only one thing more. …………………………………….?
R: 165 lei, breakfast included.
A: That’s fine. ………………………….

IX. Consider some hotels in your area and indicate whether they are commercial, resort, convention
or residential hotels.
X. Work in groups. Imagine you can afford to stay in any hotel you wish. Where will it be? How big
will it be? What facilities will it have? Make notes (and drawings if you like), then present the
hotel to the rest of the class.