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Tourism & Hospitality vocabulary · Front Office

Front desk

Meaning in tourism & hospitality, with examples

/ˌfrʌnt ˈdesk/nounCore term

In tourism & hospitality, front desk means: The counter near the hotel entrance where guests check in, check out, pay and ask for help; also the team that works there.

In Turkish: resepsiyon, ön büro bankosu

How it is used

The main contact point between guests and the hotel. Guests are told to "call the front desk" or "ask at the front desk", and staff say they work at the front desk. British English often uses reception for the same place.

Example sentences

  1. If you need anything during your stay, just dial 0 for the front desk.

  2. Two guests are waiting at the front desk to check out. Can you give me a hand?

Common collocations

  • at the front desk
  • call the front desk
  • front desk agent
  • front desk staff
  • work at the front desk
  • receptionistA person who works at the hotel front desk, welcoming guests, checking them in and out and answering their questions.
  • check inTo arrive at a hotel, register your details and receive your room key. Staff also check a guest in.
  • conciergeA hotel employee who helps guests with information and arrangements, such as restaurant bookings, tickets, tours and transport.
  • key cardA plastic card used instead of a metal key to open a hotel room door; in many rooms it also switches on the electricity.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Front Office

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