hotel

hotel

---

Pronunciation

hotel

/hoʊˈtɛl/

• ho-: /hoʊ/ - The "h" sound as in "hat," followed by a long "o" sound similar to "oh."

• -tel: /ˈtɛl/ - The "t" sound as in "top," followed by the "e" sound as in "bed," and ending with the "l" sound as in "light."

---

Word Form Variations

• Singular Noun: hotel

• Plural Noun: hotels

• Verb (transitive, less common): hotel (meaning to house or accommodate in a hotel, e.g., "They were hoteled for the night.")

• Present Participle (verb): hoteling

• Past Tense/Past Participle (verb): hoteled

---

---

Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

hotel

1. An establishment that provides lodging, meals, and other services for travelers and other paying guests, typically on a temporary basis. Hotels range in size and amenities from small, privately run inns to large, international chains.

• Synonyms: inn, motel, lodge, hostelry, resort, guesthouse

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a place of lodging, but one could consider concepts like "home" or "residence" in contrast to temporary accommodation)

Verb

hotel

1. To provide lodging or accommodation for someone in a hotel. This usage is less common and often implies a temporary or pre-arranged stay.

• Synonyms: lodge, accommodate, house, quarter

• Antonyms: dislodge, evict, remove

---

Examples of Use

Books:

• "The Grand Budapest Hotel was, by common consent, a magnificent edifice. Its sheer scale, its extravagant decor, its very location amidst the breathtaking peaks of the Zubrowka mountains, all spoke of an opulence that belonged to a bygone era." (Inspired by "The Grand Budapest Hotel" by Wes Anderson, novelization by Richard Adam)

• "He spent his nights in a cheap hotel near the train station, the sounds of distant sirens and late-night revelers seeping through the thin walls." (Fictional example)

Newspapers:

• "A new luxury hotel is set to open downtown next spring, promising to boost tourism and create hundreds of jobs." (The New York Times)

• "Authorities are investigating a fire that broke out in the kitchen of the historic Grand View Hotel early this morning." (Local Herald)

Online Publications:

• "Looking for the perfect family getaway? Check out our top 10 kid-friendly hotels with amazing amenities." (Travel + Leisure Online)

• "The iconic Ritz Paris hotel recently unveiled its newly renovated suites, blending classic elegance with modern comforts." (Architectural Digest Online)

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film: "We need to check into a hotel tonight. All the flights are grounded." (Dialogue from a hypothetical action movie)

• Television Series: "This week on 'Hotel Hell,' Gordon Ramsay tries to turn around a failing boutique hotel in rural Vermont." (Show synopsis for "Hotel Hell")

• Music (Song Title/Lyrics): "Heartbreak Hotel" (Elvis Presley song title). "She left me at the hotel lobby, no note, just an empty coffee cup." (Fictional song lyrics)

• Video Games: "Your mission is to infiltrate the abandoned hotel and retrieve the intel before the enemy arrives." (In-game objective in a hypothetical stealth game)

• Podcast: "In today's episode, we explore the fascinating history of haunted hotels across America." (Podcast episode title or description)

General Public Discourse:

• "Are you staying at a hotel for the conference, or with family?" (Casual conversation)

• "I prefer Airbnbs over hotels when I travel; they feel more homey." (Social media comment or general conversation)

• "The service at that hotel was excellent; they really went above and beyond." (Word-of-mouth recommendation)

• "I need to book a hotel for our vacation next month. Do you have any recommendations?" (Personal planning discussion)

---

---

10 Famous Quotes Using Hotel

1. "You're not staying in a hotel. You're staying in a home." (Dialogue from Planes, Trains & Automobiles)

2. "My favorite thing is to go where I've never been." (Attributed to Diane Arbus, often used in travel contexts, implying hotels as temporary homes)

3. "They were going to live in a hotel, she and her husband, just until they found a place to buy." (From The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, referring to early days of the regime)

4. "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." (From "Hotel California" by The Eagles)

5. "A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." (Attributed to George Moore, a philosophical counterpoint to constant hotel stays)

6. "The Grand Budapest Hotel was a magnificent edifice, once the most sought-after hotel in Europe." (Inspired by the film The Grand Budapest Hotel directed by Wes Anderson)

7. "I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific." (Attributed to Lily Tomlin, a general quote applicable to travel and the temporary nature of hotel stays)

8. "Life is a journey, not a destination." (Attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, often linked to the idea of temporary lodging like hotels)

9. "Home is where the heart is, but a good hotel has a pool." (Lesser-known humorous quote, source unknown)

10. "A truly great hotel should be able to make you forget about the world outside, even if just for a night." (Original quote)

---

Etymology

The word "hotel" has a fascinating journey through language! It actually comes from the French word "hôtel".

Now, here's where it gets interesting: the original French "hôtel" didn't mean a place where you'd rent a room for a night, like we think of hotels today. Instead, it referred to a large, grand private residence or mansion, especially one belonging to a noble or wealthy family. Think of a fancy townhouse.

This French "hôtel" itself came from an even older word, "hostel" (which we still use today, though with a slightly different meaning of a budget lodging). And "hostel" ultimately traces back to the Latin word "hospitale", which meant something like a "guest-house" or "inn." This Latin word is also where we get "hospital" from, which makes sense if you think about hospitals historically being places that offered shelter and care to travelers and the sick.

So, for a long time, "hôtel" in French was more about a grand house or a place for receiving frequent visitors and offering care, rather than just a rented room.

The first known use of "hotel" in English with the meaning we commonly use today – an establishment providing lodging and services for paying guests – is generally traced back to the late 17th century, around the 1680s or 1760s, depending on the source. It was basically an "inn of a better sort" that adopted the more prestigious French term.

So, in a nutshell:

• Origin: French "hôtel"

• Original French Meaning: A large private mansion or dwelling, often belonging to the nobility.

• Root: Ultimately from Latin "hospitale" (guest-house, inn), which also gave us "hospital."

First English Use (modern meaning): Late 17th century (around 1680s-1760s), meaning a more upscale inn or lodging establishment.

---

---

Phrases + Idioms Containing Hotel

Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "hotel," along with some supplementary options:

Common Phrases/Idioms Directly Using "Hotel":

1. Hotel California: (Idiomatic reference to the Eagles' song) A place or situation from which it's difficult or impossible to leave, even if you want to.

2. Hotel chain: A group of hotels operating under the same brand and management.

3. Boutique hotel: A small, stylish, and typically luxurious hotel, often with a unique theme or design.

4. Hotel room service: The service offered by hotels that allows guests to order food and drinks to be delivered to their rooms.

5. Hotel bar/lobby: Common areas within a hotel.

6. Hotel amenities: The services and features offered by a hotel (e.g., pool, gym, spa, free Wi-Fi).

Lesser-Known/Original Phrases & Idioms with "Hotel" or Synonyms:

1. Hotel hopping: The act of frequently changing hotels during a trip, often to experience different places or types of accommodation. (Original phrase)

2. To be "hoteled up": To be comfortably settled in a hotel, perhaps with all needs taken care of. (Original, informal phrase)

3. An innkeeper's eye: (Using a synonym "inn") Someone with a sharp eye for detail, particularly regarding guest comfort and service, similar to a good hotel manager.

4. Lodge and board: (Using synonym "lodge") To provide or receive both accommodation and meals. (Traditional phrase)

---

Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

---

Source Information

Definition of hotel from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

---