A German hotel room has a few reliable features. The double bed has two separate single duvets. There is probably no air conditioning. Breakfast is a buffet of bread rolls, cold cuts, cheese and boiled eggs, and it's usually good.
The language is equally predictable. A dozen sentences cover check-in, and another handful cover everything that might need fixing.
Booking and Checking In
I have a reservation.
Ich habe reserviert.
Under the name Bauer.
Auf den Namen Bauer.
Do you have a room available?
Haben Sie noch ein Zimmer frei?
A single room, please.
Ein Einzelzimmer, bitte.
A double room, please.
Ein Doppelzimmer, bitte.
For two nights.
Für zwei Nächte.
How much is the room per night?
Was kostet das Zimmer pro Nacht?
Is breakfast included?
Ist das Frühstück inklusive?
What time is breakfast?
Um wie viel Uhr gibt es Frühstück?
When do I have to check out?
Bis wann muss ich auschecken?
Is there a car park?
Gibt es einen Parkplatz?
What is the WiFi password?
Wie lautet das WLAN-Passwort?
Practice these words
Ich habe reserviert.
Quick notes:
- WLAN is the German word for WiFi, said "VEH-lahn".
- Auschecken and einchecken are borrowed from English and conjugated like German verbs: Ich checke morgen aus.
Hotel Words
reception
die Rezeption
key
der Schlüssel
key card
die Schlüsselkarte
single room
das Einzelzimmer
double room
das Doppelzimmer
overnight stay
die Übernachtung
breakfast
das Frühstück
half board
die Halbpension
lift
der Aufzug
towel
das Handtuch
duvet
die Bettdecke
pillow
das Kissen
luggage
das Gepäck
visitor's tax
die Kurtaxe
registration form
der Meldeschein
Practice these words
die Rezeption
Quick notes:
- Kurtaxe is a small local tax per person per night, charged in spa towns and tourist areas and added to your bill. It often comes with a guest card for free local buses.
- You may be handed a Meldeschein to fill in at check-in. It's a legal registration form, required for guests from abroad.
Asking for Things
Could I have another towel?
Könnte ich noch ein Handtuch bekommen?
Could I have another pillow?
Könnte ich noch ein Kissen bekommen?
Can I leave my luggage here?
Kann ich mein Gepäck hier lassen?
Could you call me a taxi?
Können Sie mir ein Taxi rufen?
Could you wake me at seven?
Können Sie mich um sieben Uhr wecken?
Is there an iron?
Gibt es ein Bügeleisen?
Where is the breakfast room?
Wo ist der Frühstücksraum?
Practice these words
Könnte ich noch ein Handtuch bekommen?
Reporting a Problem
The heating isn't working.
Die Heizung funktioniert nicht.
There is no hot water.
Es gibt kein warmes Wasser.
The room is too loud.
Das Zimmer ist zu laut.
The room hasn't been cleaned.
Das Zimmer wurde nicht gereinigt.
The key card doesn't work.
Die Schlüsselkarte funktioniert nicht.
Could I have a different room?
Könnte ich ein anderes Zimmer bekommen?
The WiFi isn't working.
Das WLAN funktioniert nicht.
Practice these words
Die Heizung funktioniert nicht.
Quick note: German complaints are stated plainly and without drama. Die Heizung funktioniert nicht is enough; you don't need to apologise for mentioning it.
Checking Out
I'd like to check out.
Ich möchte auschecken.
The bill, please.
Die Rechnung, bitte.
Can I pay by card?
Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
I need an invoice for my company.
Ich brauche eine Rechnung für meine Firma.
Everything was fine, thank you.
Es war alles in Ordnung, danke.
Practice these words
Ich möchte auschecken.
Quick note: for a business trip, ask for a Rechnung with your company's name and address on it. German expense claims need a proper invoice, and reception will ask you for the details.
Where You Might Stay
| German | What it is |
|---|---|
das Hotel | a hotel, usually with a restaurant |
das Hotel garni | a hotel that serves breakfast only |
die Pension | a small guesthouse, often family-run |
der Gasthof | an inn with rooms above a restaurant |
die Ferienwohnung | a self-catering holiday flat |
die Jugendherberge | a youth hostel, open to all ages |
What to Expect
Two duvets. A German double bed has two single duvets, and often two mattresses pushed together. Couples find it odd for one night and practical ever after.
No air conditioning. Most German hotels don't have it, including many good ones. In a summer heatwave, ask for a fan — einen Ventilator — early, because there won't be many.
Quiet at night. Hotels follow the same quiet hours as residential buildings, roughly 22:00 to 6:00. Noise in the corridor after ten will get a complaint.
Three Mistakes to Avoid
Asking for a double bed and expecting one duvet. Two is the standard.
Counting on air conditioning. Check before you book in July.
Leaving without the invoice. For work trips, get the Rechnung at check-out; asking later is slower.