Three Things and You're Checked In
Checking in takes exactly three things: one sentence, a passport, a card. The sentence: "Hi, I have a reservation under Wang." — under + name means "booked in whose name", and it's the key preposition. Hand over the passport: "Here's my passport." The desk will likely ask for a card too: the deposit is a pre-authorization hold, released automatically at check-out — not an extra charge.
Good evening! Checking in? Could I see your passport, please?
Hi, I have a reservation under Wang.
Pre-tune Your Ears to the Front-Desk Number Dump
The handover is a barrage of numbers, but the script never changes:
Here's your key card — room 1208. (card and room number)
Breakfast is from 7 to 10 on the second floor. (when and where)
Check-out is at 11. (the deadline)
For wifi, one question: "What's the wifi password?"
Here's your key card — room twelve oh eight, on the twelfth floor. Breakfast is from seven to ten on the second floor, and check-out is at eleven.
Repairs, Room Changes, Check-out, Luggage
Something's broken? One sentence: "The air conditioning isn't working. Could you send someone to take a look?" (isn't working = broken — works for everything). Want a different room: "Could I change rooms?" Checking out: "I'd like to check out, please." — and with an evening flight, store your bags: "Could I leave my luggage here until 3?"
The air conditioning isn't working. Could you send someone to take a look?
Could I leave my luggage here until three? Our flight is in the evening.
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You're at the front desk and want to say you have a booking. The natural phrasing?
答案：I have a reservation under Wang.
The fixed preposition for "booked in someone's name" is under. "Of Wang" is a literal possessive; "My name Wang, I book a room" is missing verbs and tense; "Wang's room, please" sounds like picking up takeout — what the desk needs to hear is that a reservation exists.
The front desk says: "Could I have your credit card for the deposit?" What's the card for?
答案：A pre-authorization hold, released at check-out
The deposit is a hold: an amount is frozen, then released automatically after check-out if all is well — it's not an extra charge. Travelers who don't know the mechanism get nervous at exactly this step; it's standard procedure worldwide.
"Check-out is at 11." means?
答案：You must check out by 11
It's the deadline for leaving the room. Want extra time? Ask for a late check-out: Could I have a late check-out? (may cost extra or depend on availability).
The AC in your room is broken. The most effective call to the front desk?
答案：The AC isn't working. Could you send someone to take a look?
The repair formula = name what's broken + request action: isn't working + send someone. "Your hotel is very bad" contains zero actionable information; "is opened" is the open trap again (appliances are on, switched on with turn on); "a little hot" is too vague to act on.
Give the booking name (one preposition): I have a reservation ___ Chen.
答案：under
A reservation under + name = booked in that name. The same pattern works for restaurant bookings and hotel rooms alike.
True or false: you checked out at noon but fly in the evening — hotels don't store luggage for departed guests, so you'll have to drag your bags around.
答案：False
Luggage storage is a standard free service at hotels worldwide — one sentence does it: Could I leave my luggage here until three? Plenty of first-timers really do haul their suitcases around all afternoon. Check-out is not the end of the service.