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Tourism & Hospitality vocabulary · Front Office

Reception

Meaning in tourism & hospitality, with examples

/rɪˈsepʃn/nounCore term

In tourism & hospitality, reception means: The desk or area near a hotel entrance where staff welcome guests, check them in and out, and answer their questions.

In Turkish: resepsiyon, ön büro

How it is used

British English for what Americans often call the front desk. Guests say "I'll ask at reception" or "Call reception", and room phones usually have a button for it. Reception also means a formal party, for example a wedding reception or a welcome reception.

Example sentences

  1. If you need anything during the night, just dial 9 for reception.

  2. Please leave your key card at reception when you go out.

Common collocations

  • at reception
  • call reception
  • reception desk
  • 24-hour reception
  • reception staff
  • front deskThe counter near the hotel entrance where guests check in, check out, pay and ask for help; also the team that works there.
  • receptionistA person who works at the hotel front desk, welcoming guests, checking them in and out and answering their questions.
  • lobbyThe large area just inside a hotel's main entrance, where guests arrive, wait, meet people and find the front desk.
  • conciergeA hotel employee who helps guests with information and arrangements, such as restaurant bookings, tickets, tours and transport.

More terms: Front Office

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