10 Russian phrases to help you check into a hotel

1. “У меня есть бронь на имя…” [“U menya yest’ bron’ na imya…”] – “I have a reservation under the name…”

The first thing to say at the hotel reception. In Russia, the word ‘bron’ is used more often than ‘rezervatsiya’.

2. “Заселение с 14:00? Можно ли заселиться пораньше, пожалуйста?” [“Zaseleniye s chetyrnadtsati chasov? Mozhno li zaselitjsya poran’she, pozhaluysta?”] – “Check-in is at 2:00 pm? Can I check in earlier, please?”

This phrase is useful if you arrive in the morning. In Russia, hotels are usually accommodating if a room is available.

3. “Во сколько завтрак? Он включен в стоимость?” [“Vo skol’ko zavtrak? On vklyuchon v stoimost?”] – “What time is breakfast? Is it included in the price?”

It’s best to clarify whether breakfast is included in the base price. And, if it is, you can also ask where it is served. In some hotels, breakfast must be ordered in advance from a menu.

4. “У меня не работает Wi-Fi / кондиционер / душ. Пожалуйста, помогите.” [“U menya ne rabotayet Wi-Fi / konditsioner / dush. pomogite, pozhaluysta”] – “My Wi-Fi / air conditioner / shower isn’t working. Could you help me, please?”

If a problem arises, you can use this phrase to reach out to hotel staff.

5. “Можно попросить, пожалуйста, дополнительное одеяло / подушку / полотенце?” [“Mozhno poprosit’, pozhaluysta, dopolnitel’noye odeyalo / podushku / polotentse?”] – “Can I have an extra blanket / pillow / towel, please?”

In case the standard set is insufficient or you can’t find a towel in the room.

6. “Можно заказать ужин в номер, пожалуйста?” [“Mozhno zakazat’ uzhin v nomer, pozhaluysta?”] – “Can I please order dinner to my room?”

Large hotels usually have their own restaurants, so if you don’t feel like going out, you can ask to have room service deliver dinner to your room. You can also order delivery from other restaurants.

7. “В номере есть фен / утюг / сейф?” [“V nomere yest’ fen / utyug / seyf?”] – “Is there a hairdryer / iron / safe in the room?”

It’s helpful to ask this before check-in or right after. In some hotels, these items must be requested separately; in others, they are already in the room.

8. “Я потерял ключ от номера. Помогите, пожалуйста.” [“Ya poteryal klyuch ot nomera. Pomogite, pozhaluysta.”] – “I lost my room key. Could you please help?” 

You can say ‘kartu’ (card) if you were given a plastic key card instead of a regular key. Either way, the staff should understand.

9. “Можно ли продлить проживание до завтра?” [“Mozhno li prodlit prozhivaniye do zavtra?”] – “Is it possible to extend my stay until tomorrow?”

Instead of ‘do zavtra’, you can specify a date or a specific time.

10. “Можно ли оставить багаж до вечера, пожалуйста?” [“Mozhno li ostavit’ bagazh do vechera, pozhaluysta?”] – “Can I please leave my luggage until the evening?”

This is perfect if you’ve already checked out, but still have several hours before your departure. In most hotels, the luggage storage service is free.

And remember, you can always better plan for your trip to Russia on the ‘Discover Russia’ portal!