Italian Hotel Phrases: Check-In, Tourist Tax and Requests

Hotel staff in Italy are used to visitors and often speak some English, but a few phrases make check-in and small requests smoother. The most useful are “Ho una prenotazione” (I have a reservation), “Vorrei fare il check-in” (I would like to check in) and “Può tenere i miei bagagli?” (Could you keep my luggage?).

• I have a reservation

  Ho una prenotazione

  oh OO-nah preh-noh-tah-tsee-OH-neh
• I would like to check in

  Vorrei fare il check-in

  vor-REH-ee FAH-reh eel check-in
• Can I check in early?

  Posso effettuare il check-in in anticipo?

  PAWS-soh ehf-feh-too-AH-reh eel CHEH-keen een ahn-TEE-chee-poh

  Check-in usually starts in the afternoon.
• Can I store my luggage after checkout?

  Posso depositare i miei bagagli dopo il check-out?

  PAWS-soh deh-poh-zee-TAH-reh ee myeh-ee bah-GAH-lyih DOH-poh eel CHEH-keh-NOW-teet

  Very useful if your train is later than check-out.
• The Wi-Fi password, please

  La password del wifi, per favore

  lah password del WEE-fee per fah-VOH-reh

Types of places to stay

• Hotels (alberghi). From simple to luxury. Rooms in old buildings can be small, and lifts tiny.
• Pensioni and B&Bs. Family-run, often with a home-made breakfast.
• Agriturismo. A farm stay in the countryside, often with meals of local produce.
• Apartments. Common for longer stays. Ask about the self check-in.

Room names can be confusing. A camera matrimoniale has one double bed. A camera doppia is for two people, and may have a double bed or two beds. A camera a due letti (twin) has two beds. Singola is a single room.

Checking in

Staff will take a copy of your passport. They may also ask you to pay the city tourist tax (tassa di soggiorno), often in cash.

• Is the tourist tax included?

  La tassa di soggiorno è inclusa?

  lah TAHS-sah dee sohd-JOR-noh eh een-KLOO-zah
• Is there 24-hour reception?

  C'è una reception aperta 24 ore su 24?

  cheh oo-nah reh-CHEHPT-yohn ah-PEHR-tah vehn-teek-WAHT-roh OH-reh soo vehn-teek-WAHT-roh
• Is breakfast included?

  La colazione è inclusa?

  lah koh-lah-tsee-OH-neh eh een-KLOO-zah

  Ask when you check in.
• What time does breakfast start?

  A che ora inizia la colazione?

  ah keh OH-rah ee-NEET-see-ah lah koh-laht-see-OH-neh
• What time does breakfast end?

  A che ora finisce la colazione?

  ah keh OH-rah fee-NEE-sheh lah koh-laht-see-OH-neh
• What time is check-out?

  A che ora è il check-out?

  ah keh OH-rah eh eel check-out

  Usually around 10 or 11 am. Ask at check-in.

Requests during your stay

Small requests are easy. Ask at the front desk. Use the formal form (Lei) with staff.

• Can I get extra towels?

  Posso avere altri asciugamani?

  PAWS-soh ah-VEH-reh AHLT-rih ah-shoo-gah-MAH-nih
• Can I get extra pillows?

  Posso avere dei cuscini extra?

  PAWS-soh ah-VEH-reh day koo-SHEE-nih EHKST-rah
• Can I get a wake-up call?

  Posso avere una sveglia telefonica?

  POS-soh ah-VEH-reh OO-nah SVEH-lyah teh-leh-FOH-nee-kah

  A "sveglia".
• Can you call a taxi for me, please?

  Può chiamarmi un taxi, per favore?

  pwoh kyah-MAR-mee oon TAHK-see pehr fah-VOH-reh

  The formal version. Hotel staff expect it.
• Is there a safe in the room?

  C'è una cassaforte in camera?

  cheh oo-nah kahs-sah-FAWR-teh een KAH-meh-rah

  Cassaforte means safe.

When something is wrong

Tell the front desk quickly. Staff will usually fix it or move you. Air conditioning in small hotels may be limited or need to be switched on at the desk, so ask early in summer.

• There's no hot water

  Non c'è acqua calda

  nohn cheh AHK-wah KAHL-dah
• The shower isn't working

  La doccia non funziona

  lah DOH-chah nohn foont-see-OH-nah
• Can you repair the air conditioning, please?

  Può far riparare l’aria condizionata, per favore?

  pwoh far ree-pah-RAH-reh LAH-ryah kohn-dee-tsyoh-NAH-tah pehr fah-VOH-reh

  The formal version.
• I lost my key card

  Ho perso la mia tessera magnetica

  oh PEHR-soh lah mee-ah TEHS-seh-rah mah-NYEH-tee-kah
• Can I get a replacement key?

  Posso avere una chiave di ricambio?

  PAWS-soh ah-VEH-reh oo-nah KYAH-veh dih ree-KAHM-bee-oh

Checkout and luggage

You leave the key or key card at the front desk. If your train is later, ask to leave your bags. Many hotels have a luggage room.

• Can I get a late checkout?

  Posso effettuare il check-out in ritardo?

  PAWS-soh ehf-feh-too-AH-reh eel CHEH-keh-NOW-teet een ree-TAHR-doh

  There may be an extra charge.
• Can someone help with my luggage?

  Qualcuno può aiutarmi con i bagagli?

  kwahl-KOO-noh poo-AW ah-yoo-TAHR-mih kohn ee bah-GAH-lyih
• Thank you for everything

  Grazie di tutto

  GRAH-tsyeh dee TOOT-toh

  A warm thank-you when you leave.
• The bill, please

  Il conto, per favore

  eel KOHN-toh pehr fah-VOH-reh

  At checkout, if there are extras to pay.

A short scene: checking in

1. Front deskBuonasera. Come posso aiutarla?bwoh-nah-SEH-rah KOH-meh POHS-soh ah-yoo-TAR-lahGood evening. How can I help you?
2. YouBuonasera. Ho una prenotazione a nome Smith.bwoh-nah-SEH-rah oh OO-nah preh-noh-tah-TSYOH-neh ah NOH-meh SMEETHGood evening. I have a reservation in the name of Smith.
3. Front deskMi dà il passaporto, per favore?mee DAH eel pahs-sah-POR-toh pehr fah-VOH-rehMay I have your passport, please?
4. YouCerto, ecco.CHEHR-toh EHK-kohOf course, here it is.
5. Front deskGrazie. La colazione è dalle sette alle dieci.GRAH-tsyeh lah koh-lah-TSYOH-neh eh DAHL-leh SEHT-teh AHL-leh DYEH-cheeThank you. Breakfast is from seven to ten.

Common mistakes

1. Arriving without your passport to hand. It is required for registration.
2. Not asking about the tourist tax. It is often paid separately, in cash.
3. Booking the wrong bed type. Check matrimoniale, doppia and due letti.
4. Not asking about air conditioning before you need it.
5. Using “tu” with the staff. Use the formal forms.

For more phrases you will need on a trip, see our Italian phrases for travel and Italian emergency phrases.