Late Check-in/After-Hours Pick-up
A guest arrives late in the evening or after standard reception hours, often needing to pick up a key or access card left by prior arrangement, or complete a fast-track check-in.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
reservation
A booking you make in advance for a hotel room or service. Use it when confirming your stay, like 'I have a reservation.'
late check-in
Arriving at a hotel after normal business hours, often in the evening. It's common for travelers with delayed flights; say 'I need late check-in.'
ID
Short for identification, like a passport or driver's license. Hotels ask for it to verify your identity during check-in.
credit card
A plastic card used to pay for things without cash. In hotels, it's often required for reservations and payments.
delayed
Made late, often used for flights or trains. For example, 'My flight was delayed by two hours.' It's polite to explain lateness this way.
room key card
A plastic card that acts as a key to open your hotel room door. Modern hotels use these instead of metal keys.
elevators
Machines that carry people up and down building floors. In hotels, staff often direct you to them after check-in.
fast-track check-in
A quick registration process for late arrivals, skipping full paperwork. Useful when you're tired and want to go to your room fast.
registration
The official process of signing in at a hotel, including filling forms. You might complete it later if it's late.
breakfast
The first meal of the day, usually in the morning. Hotels often include it and tell you the serving times.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I have a reservation under the name Johnson.
This is a polite way to start a conversation at a hotel desk. 'Under the name' means booked in that person's name. Use it when checking in to identify yourself quickly.
Could I please see your ID and the credit card you used for the reservation?
A polite request from staff for verification. 'Could I please' makes it courteous. Useful for learners to recognize and respond when asked for documents.
I'm sorry for arriving so late, my flight was delayed.
An apology for lateness with an explanation. The past tense 'was delayed' describes the reason. Say this to be polite when you're late due to travel issues.
No worries at all, Mr. Johnson. We completely understand.
A reassuring response to an apology. 'No worries' means it's okay, and 'completely understand' shows empathy. Use it to comfort guests or friends who are late.
Here's your room key card for room 405. It's on the fourth floor.
Giving directions after check-in. 'Here's' means 'this is for you.' Practical for describing room location; note American English uses 'fourth floor' for level 4.
Is there anything else I need to sign or fill out tonight, or can I do that in the morning?
Asking about remaining paperwork. The structure uses 'or' for options and future tense 'can I do.' Useful for late check-ins to avoid extra work when tired.
No, you're all set for tonight. We've done a fast-track check-in for you.
Meaning everything is ready. 'All set' is an idiom for prepared; passive 'we've done' explains the process. Reassures guests they can relax immediately.
Breakfast is served from 7 AM to 10 AM in our dining room on the ground floor.
Providing service details in passive voice 'is served' for times and location. 'Ground floor' means first level. Ask or share this to know meal schedules in hotels.