Phrases for hotels

At the front desk, say 체크인할게요 (chekeuinhalgeyo, "I'd like to check in") and give the name on the booking. Adding ○○ 이름으로 예약했어요 (○○ ireumeuro yeyakhaesseoyo, "It's under ○○") speeds things up. If staff say 여권 보여 주세요 (yeogwon boyeo juseyo, "Please show your passport"), hand it over.

Ask 체크아웃 몇 시예요? (chekeuaut myeot siyeyo, "What time is checkout?"). If you'd like to leave later, ask 늦게 체크아웃할 수 있어요? (neutge chekeuauthal su isseoyo, "Can I check out late?"). There may be an extra charge, so check the property's policy before deciding.

Ask 짐 맡아 주실 수 있어요? (jim mata jusil su isseoyo, "Could you keep my luggage?"). Many hotels and guesthouses store bags before check-in or after checkout. When you come back, say 맡긴 짐 찾으러 왔어요 (matgin jim chajeureo wasseoyo, "I'm here to pick up my luggage").

Say 수건 더 주세요 (sugeon deo juseyo, "More towels, please"). For other items, swap in the word: 휴지 (hyuji, toilet paper), 칫솔 (chitsol, toothbrush), 베개 (begae, pillow) or 이불 (ibul, blanket). Some places no longer provide free disposable toiletries because of environmental rules, so they may charge or not stock them.

The pattern ○○이 안 돼요 (○○i an dwaeyo, "○○ doesn't work") is very handy. For example: 에어컨이 안 돼요 (eeokeoni an dwaeyo, "The A/C doesn't work") or 불이 안 켜져요 (buri an kyeojyeoyo, "The lights won't turn on"). Give your room number too, so staff can come and check quickly.

Say 뜨거운 물이 안 나와요 (tteugeoun muri an nawayo, "There's no hot water"). Korean rooms sometimes have a separate hot water switch or boiler control panel, so ask 온수는 어떻게 켜요? (onsuneun eotteoke kyeoyo, "How do I turn on the hot water?"). If something is leaking, say 물이 새요 (muri saeyo).

An 온돌방 (ondolbang) is a room with heated floors where you sleep on bedding laid on the floor instead of a bed, in the traditional Korean way. You can choose one at hanok stays and some hotels. A room with a bed is 침대방 (chimdaebang), so you can request 침대방으로 주세요 (chimdaebangeuro juseyo) when booking.

Ask 조식 몇 시예요? (josik myeot siyeyo, "What time is breakfast?"). For the location, ask 조식은 어디서 먹어요? (josigeun eodiseo meogeoyo, "Where is breakfast served?"). To check whether it's included, ask 조식 포함이에요? (josik pohamieyo, "Is breakfast included?"). Times often differ on weekends.

Ask 하루 더 묵을 수 있어요? (haru deo mugeul su isseoyo, "Can I stay one more night?"). 연장하고 싶어요 (yeonjanghago sipeoyo, "I'd like to extend my stay") means the same. It depends on availability, so ask as early as possible, and be aware you might need to change rooms.

Politely ask 방 바꿔 주실 수 있어요? (bang bakkwo jusil su isseoyo, "Could I change rooms?"). Giving a reason helps: 너무 시끄러워요 (neomu sikkeureowoyo, "It's too noisy") or 담배 냄새가 나요 (dambae naemsaega nayo, "It smells of cigarette smoke"). Staff will check what's available.

To request cleaning, say 방 청소해 주세요 (bang cheongsohae juseyo, "Please clean the room"). To decline, say 청소는 괜찮아요 (cheongsoneun gwaenchanayo, "No cleaning needed"). Use the door hanger if there is one. Some places only clean on request during longer stays, so ask at the front desk.

Tell the front desk 카드키가 안 돼요 (kadeukiga an dwaeyo, "My key card doesn't work"). If you left it inside, say 키를 방에 두고 나왔어요 (kireul bange dugo nawasseoyo, "I left my key in the room"). Many Korean accommodations use keypad door locks instead, so make sure you know the code: 비밀번호가 뭐예요?

Ask 택시 불러 주실 수 있어요? (taeksi bulleo jusil su isseoyo, "Could you call a taxi for me?"). To schedule one, say 내일 아침 여덟 시에 택시 불러 주세요 (naeil achim yeodeol sie taeksi bulleo juseyo, "Please call a taxi for 8 tomorrow morning"). Going to the airport? You can also ask 공항 가는 버스 어디서 타요? about airport buses.

Korea sorts waste carefully, a practice called 분리수거 (bullisugeo). Typically general trash, food waste, plastics, cans and paper are separated. Rules vary by building, so ask 쓰레기는 어디에 버려요? (sseuregineun eodie beoryeoyo, "Where do I throw away trash?") and follow your accommodation's guidelines.

Ask 금연실이에요? (geumyeonsirieyo, "Is this a non-smoking room?"). By law, tourist hotels and similar lodgings must be entirely non-smoking, though they may have a smoking room, and many other places are non-smoking too. Ask 흡연 구역 어디예요? (heubyeon guyeok eodiyeyo, "Where's the smoking area?") to find it. Smoking in a non-smoking area can result in a fine.

When using a shared kitchen or lounge, ask 이거 써도 돼요? (igeo sseodo dwaeyo, "May I use this?"). Some places ask you to label food in the shared fridge with your name. You may see signs saying 조용히 해 주세요 (joyonghi hae juseyo, "Please be quiet"), so keep noise down late at night.

Point at the device and ask 이거 어떻게 써요? (igeo eotteoke sseoyo, "How do I use this?"). A remote control is 리모컨 (rimokeon), and the same word is used for the air conditioner remote. To change the temperature, ask 온도 어떻게 바꿔요? (ondo eotteoke bakkwoyo, "How do I change the temperature?").

Say 예약 확인하고 싶어요 (yeyak hwaginhago sipeoyo, "I'd like to confirm my reservation") and show your booking number. To check dates, ask ○일부터 ○일까지 맞죠? (○ilbuteo ○ilkkaji matjyo, "From the ○th to the ○th, right?"). To change guests or room type, ask 변경할 수 있어요? (byeongyeonghal su isseoyo, "Can I change it?").

Hand over your key and say 체크아웃할게요 (chekeuauthalgeyo, "I'd like to check out"). To check for extra charges, ask 추가 요금 있어요? (chuga yogeum isseoyo). When leaving, saying 잘 쉬다 갑니다 (jal swida gamnida, "I had a nice stay") leaves a warm impression on the staff.

At home-style places such as ondol rooms, hanok stays, guesthouses and rental apartments, you usually take your shoes off at the entrance. A shoe rack or slippers by the door is a sign to remove them. If unsure, ask 신발 벗어야 돼요? (sinbal beoseoya dwaeyo, "Should I take off my shoes?"). Most regular hotels don't require it.