Spanish accommodation vocabulary covering key terms for hotels, hostels, renting, and more, essential for booking and staying in Spanish-speaking countries.
Accommodation is a fundamental part of any trip, and knowing the right vocabulary can make booking and staying much easier. In this guide, we'll cover essential Spanish words related to hotels, hostels, renting apartments, and other types of lodging. Each section includes example sentences to help you see the words in context.
Types of Accommodation
There are many types of places you might stay, from hotels to hostels to vacation rentals. Here are some common Spanish terms for different kinds of accommodation:
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| el hotel | los hoteles | hotel | hotels | Nos quedamos en un hotel en Madrid. | We stayed in a hotel in Madrid. |
| el hostal | los hostales | hostel | hostels | El hostal es muy económico. | The hostel is very affordable. |
| el albergue | los albergues | hostel/dormitory | hostels/dormitories | Dormí en un albergue juvenil. | I slept in a youth hostel. |
| el apartamento | los apartamentos | apartment | apartments | Alquilamos un apartamento cerca de la playa. | We rented an apartment near the beach. |
| la casa de huéspedes | las casas de huéspedes | guesthouse | guesthouses | Nos alojamos en una casa de huéspedes encantadora. | We stayed in a charming guesthouse. |
| la cabaña | las cabañas | cabin | cabins | Pasamos una noche en una cabaña en el bosque. | We spent a night in a cabin in the forest. |
| el cuarto | los cuartos | room | rooms | Reservé un cuarto individual. | I booked a single room. |
| la habitación | las habitaciones | room | rooms | La habitación tiene vista al mar. | The room has a sea view. |
| el dormitorio | los dormitorios | dormitory/bedroom | dormitories/bedrooms | El dormitorio tiene diez camas. | The dormitory has ten beds. |
| la suite | las suites | suite | suites | La suite es muy lujosa. | The suite is very luxurious. |
La ___ es muy lujosa.
Which Spanish word means 'suite'?
suite
'Suite' means 'suite' in Spanish, often indicating a luxurious room. 'Habitación', 'dormitorio', and 'cuarto' all mean 'room' or 'bedroom' but are less specific.
Hotel Vocabulary
When staying in a hotel, you’ll see signs and need to ask about reservations, check-in, and amenities. Here are some key words to help you navigate a hotel stay in Spanish:
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la recepción | - | reception/desk | - | La recepción está abierta las 24 horas. | The reception is open 24 hours. |
| la reserva | las reservas | reservation | reservations | Hice una reserva para dos personas. | I made a reservation for two people. |
| el registro | - | check-in/registration | - | El registro comienza a las 3 pm. | Check-in starts at 3 pm. |
| el check-in | - | check-in | - | El check-in es por la tarde. | Check-in is in the afternoon. |
| el check-out | - | check-out | - | El check-out debe ser antes de las 11. | Check-out must be before 11. |
| la llave | las llaves | key | keys | Aquí tiene la llave de su habitación. | Here is the key to your room. |
| el ascensor | los ascensores | elevator | elevators | El ascensor está fuera de servicio. | The elevator is out of service. |
| el baño | los baños | bathroom | bathrooms | La habitación tiene baño privado. | The room has a private bathroom. |
| el minibar | los minibares | minibar | minibars | Hay refrescos en el minibar. | There are drinks in the minibar. |
| el gimnasio | los gimnasios | gym | gyms | El hotel tiene un gimnasio moderno. | The hotel has a modern gym. |
Booking and Payment
Making a reservation and paying for accommodation often involves specific vocabulary. These words will help you book a room, ask about prices, and understand payment methods:
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| reservar | - | to reserve | - | Quiero reservar una habitación doble. | I want to reserve a double room. |
| cancelar | - | to cancel | - | ¿Puedo cancelar sin cargo? | Can I cancel without a fee? |
| pagar | - | to pay | - | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? | Can I pay with a card? |
| el depósito | los depósitos | deposit | deposits | Se requiere un depósito del 20%. | A 20% deposit is required. |
| el recibo | los recibos | receipt | receipts | Por favor, déme el recibo. | Please give me the receipt. |
| la tarjeta de crédito | las tarjetas de crédito | credit card | credit cards | Pago con tarjeta de crédito. | I pay with a credit card. |
| el efectivo | - | cash | - | ¿Aceptan efectivo? | Do you accept cash? |
| el precio | los precios | price | prices | ¿Cuál es el precio por noche? | What is the price per night? |
| la tarifa | las tarifas | rate/fee | rates/fees | La tarifa incluye desayuno. | The rate includes breakfast. |
| la confirmación | las confirmaciones | confirmation | confirmations | Recibí la confirmación por email. | I received the confirmation by email. |
¿Cuál es el ___ por noche?
Which Spanish word means 'price'?
precio
'Precio' means 'price'. 'Tarifa' means rate or fee, 'depósito' is deposit, and 'recibo' is receipt.
Common Phrases
Here are some common phrases you might need when talking about accommodation in Spanish. These will help you ask questions, make requests, and solve problems during your stay:
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Tiene habitaciones disponibles? | - | Do you have rooms available? | - | ¿Tiene habitaciones disponibles para esta noche? | Do you have rooms available for tonight? |
| Quisiera hacer una reserva. | - | I would like to make a reservation. | - | Quisiera hacer una reserva para tres días. | I would like to make a reservation for three days. |
| ¿A qué hora es el check-in? | - | What time is check-in? | - | ¿A qué hora es el check-in en este hotel? | What time is check-in at this hotel? |
| ¿Incluye desayuno? | - | Does it include breakfast? | - | ¿La tarifa incluye desayuno? | Does the rate include breakfast? |
| Necesito una habitación con baño privado. | - | I need a room with a private bathroom. | - | Necesito una habitación con baño privado. | I need a room with a private bathroom. |
| ¿Hay Wi-Fi gratis? | - | Is there free Wi-Fi? | - | ¿Hay Wi-Fi gratis en el hotel? | Is there free Wi-Fi in the hotel? |
| ¿Puedo dejar mi equipaje aquí? | - | Can I leave my luggage here? | - | ¿Puedo dejar mi equipaje aquí antes del check-in? | Can I leave my luggage here before check-in? |
| La llave no funciona. | - | The key doesn’t work. | - | La llave de mi habitación no funciona. | The key to my room doesn’t work. |
| Quisiera extender mi estadía. | - | I would like to extend my stay. | - | Quisiera extender mi estadía por dos noches más. | I would like to extend my stay for two more nights. |
| ¿Dónde está el ascensor? | - | Where is the elevator? | - | ¿Dónde está el ascensor en este edificio? | Where is the elevator in this building? |
Renting an Apartment or Room
If you’re staying somewhere for longer, you might rent an apartment or room. Here are some useful terms for dealing with landlords, contracts, and amenities:
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| el contrato | los contratos | contract | contracts | Firmamos el contrato ayer. | We signed the contract yesterday. |
| el propietario/la propietaria | los propietarios/las propietarias | landlord/landlady | landlords/landladies | El propietario vive en el edificio. | The landlord lives in the building. |
| el inquilino/la inquilina | los inquilinos/las inquilinas | tenant | tenants | Soy inquilino de este apartamento. | I am a tenant of this apartment. |
| el alquiler | los alquileres | rent | rents | El alquiler mensual es de 500 euros. | The monthly rent is 500 euros. |
| el depósito | los depósitos | deposit | deposits | Dejé un depósito de un mes. | I left a one-month deposit. |
| amueblado/amueblada | - | furnished | - | El apartamento está amueblado. | The apartment is furnished. |
| sin amueblar | - | unfurnished | - | Busco un piso sin amueblar. | I’m looking for an unfurnished apartment. |
| los servicios | - | utilities | - | Los servicios están incluidos en el precio. | Utilities are included in the price. |
| la limpieza | - | cleaning | - | La limpieza se realiza una vez por semana. | Cleaning is done once a week. |
| la ficha | las fichas | application form | application forms | Completé la ficha para alquilar la habitación. | I completed the application form to rent the room. |
Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes learners make with accommodation vocabulary, along with tips to avoid them:
| Mistake | Correction | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Quiero reservar un cuarto. | Quiero reservar una habitación. | Use “habitación” for hotel rooms; “cuarto” can be informal. |
| ¿A qué hora es la entrada? | ¿A qué hora es el check-in? | Use “check-in” or “registro” instead of “entrada.” |
| Pagar en tarjeta. | Pagar con tarjeta. | Use “pagar con tarjeta” (pay with card), not “en tarjeta.” |
| El hotel tiene Wi-Fi gratis? | ¿El hotel tiene Wi-Fi gratis? | Always include the question mark for clarity. |
| Necesito una habitación privado. | Necesito una habitación privada. | Match gender: “habitación” is feminine, so use “privada.” |
Which sentence is correctly punctuated in Spanish?
¿El hotel tiene Wi-Fi gratis?
Spanish questions require both opening (¿) and closing (?) question marks.
Conclusion
Building your Spanish accommodation vocabulary will help you feel confident booking rooms, asking questions, and handling any issues that come up. Remember to practice these words and phrases out loud, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you get stuck. ¡Buen viaje!
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- English Singular: hotel
- English Plural: hotels
- English Example: We stayed in a hotel in Madrid.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
