Travel English: A Voicemail from the Hotel
Students listen to a hotel receptionist's voicemail, check the booking details, complete the transcript, read a guest review, match useful hotel phrases, discuss tourist taxes and answer open questions.
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What's in this activity
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Listening audio Voicemail: Harbour View Hotel, Lisbon
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Multiple-choice questions Listening: check the booking details
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Fill in the gaps Complete the voicemail transcript
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Level-adapted text A Weekend at the Harbour View Hotel
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Match the halves Useful hotel phrases: match the halves
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Viewpoints for discussion Crossed Perspectives: Should Cities Charge a Tourist Tax?
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Open-ended questions Think and write
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Voicemail: Harbour View Hotel, Lisbon
Listening: check the booking details
What is the main purpose of Emma's phone call?
How long will Mr. Costa be staying at the Harbour View Hotel?
What can Mr. Costa do if he arrives at the hotel before 2:00 p.m.?
What is Mr. Costa required to bring with him when he checks in?
Based on the message, how can Mr. Costa arrange transportation from the airport?
Complete the voicemail transcript
A Weekend at the Harbour View Hotel
We stayed at the Harbour View hotel for a long weekend and, generally, it was as good as people said. The location is great: the tram stops right outside, and you can walk to most of the old town. Our room was very clean, although a bit small, but the nice view of the river was better than having extra space. The breakfast buffet had a lot of food, but it became crowded after nine o'clock, so we decided to eat early. The only real problem was the loud noise from the bar downstairs on Saturday night, which kept us awake past midnight. The staff responded to our complaint politely and gave us a late check-out to compensate. Overall, we would gladly stay there again, if we can get a room on a higher floor.
Vocabulary X-Ray
| Source | Adapted | Note |
|---|---|---|
| on the whole | generally | Simplified idiom to a clearer adverb |
| lived up to its reputation | was as good as people said | Replaced advanced idiom with simple, direct language |
| unbeatable | great | Lowered vocabulary difficulty |
| spotless | very clean | Replaced descriptive adjective with common words |
| cramped | a bit small | Simplified vocabulary |
| generous | had a lot of food | Clarified context of the adjective |
| drawback | problem | Replaced B2 noun with A2/B1 noun |
| handled | responded to | Simplified verb phrase |
| graciously | politely | Replaced advanced adverb with a common one |
| as compensation | to compensate | Simplified noun phrase to verb structure |
| All things considered | Overall | Shortened multi-word transition to simple adverb |
| provided | if | Replaced formal conjunction with basic conditional word |
Mini Glossary Show
- location - the place where something is
- buffet - a meal where people serve themselves from different dishes on a table
- complaint - a statement that you are unhappy or dissatisfied with something
- compensate - to give someone something good to make up for a problem
- gladly - happily or willingly
Useful hotel phrases: match the halves
Match each beginning with its correct ending.
Left halves
Right halves
Crossed Perspectives: Should Cities Charge a Tourist Tax?
I've lived in the city center for over ten years, and recently the crowds have become overwhelming. I completely support a small daily tourist tax because our historic streets and public transport need constant maintenance. For instance, the local park near my house is always full of trash after the weekend, and city workers have to work extra hours to clean it. I understand that visitors bring money to local businesses, which is great for our economy, but residents shouldn't pay for all the extra wear and tear. A fee of two or three euros a day seems fair to help keep our home livable for everyone.
I moved here three years ago to work in a local hotel, so my perspective is a bit mixed. On one hand, tourism gives me a job and allows me to send money back to my family. On the other hand, my friends who work in small shops are worried that extra taxes might scare away budget travelers who spend money in neighborhood businesses. However, if the city uses this money transparently to improve public services like buses and healthcare, it could actually benefit working-class residents and newcomers like me. It all depends on where that tax money actually goes.
As someone traveling on a tight budget, adding extra daily fees to my trip really adds up. When I visited last summer, I already paid high prices for accommodation, food, and museum tickets. If a family of four stays for a week, a daily tax can mean cutting out a nice meal or a guided tour. I do agree that historic cities need funds for preservation, but I prefer when these costs are already included in the prices rather than added as a surprise tax. Travelers are already contributing to the local economy just by being there and spending money.
Key Vocabulary
Discussion Questions
- 1 How do the concerns of the local resident and the immigrant differ when it comes to how the tax money should be used?
- 2 If you were traveling on a tight budget like the tourist, would a daily tax change your decision to visit a popular city?
- 3 What do you think is the fairest way for cities to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the needs of local residents?
Think and write
What were the main advantages and disadvantages of staying at the Harbour View hotel according to the writer?
How did the hotel staff handle the guest's complaint about the noise, and what condition does the guest have for returning?
In your opinion, did the guest have a positive overall experience at the hotel? Explain why or why not using evidence from the text.
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