Spanish for hospitality

Hospitality is an increasingly popular sector in which you deal with people from all over the world. In Spanish-speaking countries, being able to communicate clearly and politely in Spanish is a great advantage, so this article provides you with the vocabulary you need to know about hospitality in Spanish.

With our Spanish guide for hospitality, you will have at your fingertips the essential vocabulary and phrases you need to understand, communicate, and work in hotels, restaurants, tourism, and customer service environments. Whether you are a beginner or want to improve your professional Spanish, this article will help you easily handle real-life situations.

Why Spanish for hospitality?

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and a key skill in the hotel and tourism industry. Learning Spanish for the industry will allow you to work and communicate in any situation you need to:

• Communicate effectively with guests and customers
• Communicate when you arrive at a hotel or hostel in a Spanish-speaking country
• Provide better customer service
• Avoid misunderstandings and ask questions
• Improve your job opportunities in hotels, restaurants, and tourism

Spanish vocabulary for hospitality focuses on practical communication, polite expressions, and specific words, rather than complex grammar. Keep reading so you don't miss a thing.

Essential vocabulary: Spanish for hospitality

Below, you will find all the Spanish vocabulary related to hospitality that you need to know if you are staying in a hotel or must welcome a guest. We have divided it into categories to make it easier for you to learn.

Vocabulary related to hotels and accommodation

• Reserva (Reservation)
• Registro de entrada (Check-in)
• Salida (Check-out)
• Recepción (Reception)
• Llave de la habitación (Room key)
• Habitación individual / doble (Single/double room)
• Desayuno incluido (Breakfast included)
• Servicio de limpieza (Cleaning service)
• Ascensor (Elevator)
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant and food service vocabulary

• Menú / Carta (Menu)
• Cuenta (Check or bill)
• Reserva (Reservation)
• Propina (Tip)
• Entrante (Starter)
• Plato principal (Main course)
• Postre (Dessert)
• Alergias (Allergies)
• Vegetariano (Vegetarian)
• Sin gluten (Gluten-free)

Tourism and travel vocabulary

• Excursión (Excursion)
• Guía (Guide)
• Entrada or billete (Ticket)
• Horario (Schedule)
• Horario de apertura (Opening hours)
• Punto de encuentro (Meeting point)
• Información turística (Tourist information)

Essential Spanish phrases for hospitality staff

Making a good first impression is essential in the hotel industry, so with these phrases you will be able to greet all guests in a formal manner. And if you stay as a guest, you will be able to communicate with receptionists without any problems.

• Bienvenido/a (Welcome)
• Buenos días / Buenas tardes / Buenas noches (Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening)
• ¿En qué puedo ayudarle? (How can I help you?)
• ¿Tiene una reserva? (Do you have a reservation?)
• Tengo una reserva a nombre de María García para 4 personas (I have a reservation under the name María García for 4 people)
• Tengo una reserva en el hotel, ¿puede ayudarme? (I have a reservation at the hotel; can you help me?)

In professional settings, it is more polite and appropriate to use usted in Spanish when speaking to people you don't know. Unless you are asked to use tú, the formal form of usted is more professional when communicating at a reception desk or hotel.

Making or receiving reservations

• ¿Para cuántas personas es la reserva? (How many people are the reservation for?)
• ¿Para qué día y a qué hora? (For what day and time?)
• Lo siento, estamos completos (I'm sorry, we are fully booked)
• Tenemos disponibilidad (We have availability)
• ¿A qué hora debemos dejar la habitación del hotel? (What time do we have to leave the hotel room?)
• ¿Me puede indicar cuál es el número de mi habitación? (Can you tell me my room number?)
• Me gustaría hacer una reserva para cenar a las 21h, a nombre de Luis Fernandez (I would like to make a reservation for dinner at 9 p.m., in the name of Luis Fernandez)
• Quisiera hacer una reserva para comer, para 4 personas, el sábado a las 14h, ¿es posible? (I would like to make a reservation for lunch for four people on Saturday at 2 p.m., is that possible?)

Offering help and services

• ¿Necesita ayuda con su equipaje? (Do you need help with your luggage?)
• ¿Desea algo más? (Would you like anything else?)
• ¿Le puedo ayudar en algo? (Can I help you with anything?)
• Ahora mismo se lo traigo (I'll bring it right over)
• El desayuno se sirve de 7 a 10 a.m. (Breakfast is served from 7 to 10 a.m.)

Taking orders in a restaurant

• ¿Está listo/a para pedir? (Are you ready to order?)
• ¿Qué desea tomar? (What would you like to order?)
• ¿Alguna alergia o intolerancia? (Any allergies or intolerances?)
• ¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor? (Can I have the check, please?)
• ¿Me puede recomendar el plato del día? (Can you recommend the dish of the day?)
• ¿Qué me recomienda pedir de la carta? (What would you recommend I order from the menu?)
• Soy vegetariano, ¿qué puedo pedir que no lleve carne? (I'm a vegetarian, what can I order that doesn't contain meat?)
• Para beber, una botella de agua, gracias (To drink, a bottle of water, please)

How to handle problems and complaints

As in any other field, in the hospitality industry there may be issues with guests, and you need to know how to respond politely to problems. In customer service, it is essential to know how to handle any complaints you may receive.

• Siento mucho por las molestias (I'm very sorry for the inconvenience)
• Voy a solucionarlo ahora mismo (I'll fix it right away)
• Gracias por informarnos (Thank you for letting us know)
• Permítame comprobarlo (Let me check that for you)
• Dame un segundo y estoy con usted (Give me a second and I'll be right with you)

Tips in Spanish for the hospitality industry

• Use formal language with customers, especially in hotels and restaurants
• Polite expressions such as “por favor”, “gracias”, and “disculpa” or “perdón” are essential
• In Spain and Latin America, a friendly but respectful tone is expected
• Apologizing clearly is considered professional, not a weakness
• Remember to treat employees with respect, even if you have issues with the establishment; the person you are addressing is only doing their job

These small details make a big difference in customer satisfaction and in the customers’ perception of the place if they have had a problem.

Improve your professional skills in Spanish with don Quijote and our intensive Spanish courses. Whether you work or want to work in tourism, hospitality, or customer service, or if you want to visit or stay at a hotel, Spanish for hospitality will help you from day one. Contact our advisors for more information about our programs and come discover and learn Spanish in Spain with us. We are waiting for you!