If you're planning a trip to France or any French-speaking country—one of the first things you'll need to do is book a hotel room. Seems easy enough, right? Until you realize you don’t quite know how to say “I'd like to reserve a room” in French… let alone ask for Wi-Fi or a late checkout.
The good news is, you don’t need to be fluent to handle a hotel reservation. You just need a few key phrases, a little confidence, and a good attitude. In this post, we’ll walk through what to say, what to expect, and how to make the whole process smoother—even if your French is still a work in progress.
Step 1: Know What You Need
Before making a reservation, think about what kind of room you want and what information you’ll need to give:
The type of room (single, double, with a view, etc.)
The dates of your stay
Number of people
Any special requests (like a baby crib or early check-in)
Being clear about your needs makes the conversation much easier, whether you're booking by phone, email, or in person.
Step 2: Key French Phrases to Know
Let’s get into the essential vocabulary. You don’t need to memorize entire scripts, but learning a few key expressions will help you communicate with confidence.
Starting the conversation:
Bonjour, je voudrais réserver une chambre. (Hello, I’d like to book a room.)
Giving your dates:
Pour deux nuits, du 5 au 7 juillet. (For two nights, from July 5th to 7th.)
Types of rooms:
Une chambre simple (a single room)
Une chambre double (a double room)
Une chambre avec un lit double (a room with a double bed)
Une chambre avec deux lits (a room with two beds)
Asking about price and services:
Quel est le prix par nuit ? (What is the price per night?)
Le petit-déjeuner est-il inclus ? (Is breakfast included?)
Y a-t-il le Wi-Fi gratuit ? (Is there free Wi-Fi?)
Est-ce qu’il y a un parking ? (Is there parking?)
Confirming the booking:
Je voudrais confirmer ma réservation. (I’d like to confirm my reservation.)
Est-ce que je peux payer par carte ? (Can I pay by card?)
À quelle heure est le check-in ? (What time is check-in?)
Cancelling or changing your reservation:
Je voudrais annuler ma réservation. (I’d like to cancel my reservation.)
Puis-je changer les dates ? (Can I change the dates?)
Learning even a few of these phrases can make a huge difference—and hotel staff will often appreciate the effort.
Step 3: Booking Online (Still in French)
If you're booking online and the site is in French, don’t panic. Here are some common words you’ll see:
Nom – Name
Date d’arrivée – Arrival date
Date de départ – Departure date
Nombre de personnes – Number of guests
Petit-déjeuner inclus – Breakfast included
Annulation gratuite – Free cancellation
Payer maintenant / Payer à l’arrivée – Pay now / Pay on arrival
Using a translation tool like Google Translate can help if you get stuck, but most hotel websites also offer an English version.
Step 4: At the Hotel
When you arrive, greet the staff with a polite Bonjour and give your name:
Bonjour, j’ai une réservation au nom de [your name]. (Hello, I have a reservation under the name of…)
If there’s any confusion or you need something, don’t hesitate to ask. Even if your French isn’t perfect, a smile and polite tone go a long way.
Why It’s Worth Learning These Phrases
Being able to reserve a room in French isn’t just practical—it also gives you confidence. It shows that you’re willing to engage with the culture, even if you make a few mistakes. Most French speakers won’t mind. In fact, they’ll usually be happy to meet you halfway.
And once you’ve booked one hotel room successfully, you’ll feel ready to handle more—ordering food, asking for directions, and maybe even chatting with locals.
Booking a hotel room in French doesn't have to be stressful. With a few useful phrases, a basic understanding of what to expect, and a calm mindset, you'll be just fine. Whether you're planning a vacation in Paris, a weekend in Montreal, or a countryside stay in Provence, you'll now be ready to say:
“Je voudrais réserver une chambre, s’il vous plaît.”
And that’s a pretty great place to start.