KEY to Accommodation

There are many options for accommodation when you are on vacation. Most people stay in hotels; these can be cheap or expensive, they usually have several floors, and they may have a restaurant or swimming pool. A motel is like a cheap hotel, usually with only one or two floors, and you can park your car in front of your room. Or you can stay in a bed and breakfast. These are small, quaint and cozy places that offer a place to sleep and breakfast in the morning. Often these are run by families or individuals, and they may only have a few rooms. Budget travelers may choose to stay in hostels; these are cheaper than other types of accommodation because they offer few amenities. In European cities especially, budget hostels are a dime a dozen; you will often see several hostels on the same street. Hostels are ideal for young backpackers, who can stay in dorm beds in a room with several other travelers, for a fraction of the cost of a hotel room. Tickets can be booked online, via telephone, or you can show up in person and try your luck. However, it’s always a good idea to call ahead and check to see if there are any vacancies. That way, you waste less time and can spend more time sightseeing!

VOCABULARY options - choices accommodation – places to stay (on vacation, for example) motel/hotel/bed and breakfast/hostel – different types of accommodation quaint – charming and cute (and a little old or traditional) cozy - comfortable offer – to provide, to make available, to give individual – a single person or a single thing budget (n.)  - a plan for using an amount of money (adj.) – inexpensive; good for a limited budget amenities – extra things that make you more comfortable (in a hotel, for example, amenities include a TV, pool, exercise room, etc.) backpackers – people (usually young people) who travel a long distance with only a large backpack dorm – a room with beds for several people fraction – a number that is less than 1 (for example: ½, ¾); a small part via – using (you can communicate via phone, email, or letter; you can travel via car, plane, or boat) call ahead – to call before you arrive vacancies – rooms (in a hotel, for example) that are not full sightseeing – to visit interesting places and take pictures (usually when you are on vacation) IDIOM a dime a dozen – very common, very easy to get