Asking About Holiday Accommodation in French

Whether you’re booking ahead or arriving without a reservation, it’s useful to know how to ask for a room and describe what you’re looking for.
These phrases will help you speak confidently with hotel staff, guesthouse owners, or campsite managers anywhere in France.

Sentence Builder

Useful Phrases for Accommodation

Choose an ending to build a complete sentence.

Je cherche… I’m looking for…
Nous séjournons… We’re staying…
Je préfère… I prefer…
L’hôtel offre… The hotel offers…
Choose a phrase above.

Cultural Notes
Explore French holiday accommodation. Select a region on the map to discover a typical place to stay and a useful French sentence.
Les hébergements en France Select a region
La Bretagne Le nord-ouest de la France
Accommodation une auberge
Setting près de la mer

In Brittany, an auberge might be a cosy, independently run inn near the coast. Some also have a restaurant serving local food.

What could you say? En Bretagne, on peut séjourner dans une auberge près de la mer. In Brittany, you can stay in an inn near the sea.
Les chambres d’hôtes A popular French accommodation choice

Chambres d’hôtes are guest rooms offered in the owner’s home. Breakfast is normally included, and the experience is often more personal than staying in a large hotel.

le petit déjeuner maison a homemade breakfast
Choose Your Accommodation Choisissez votre hébergement

Select the region you would most like to visit, then complete the sentence.

Je voudrais séjourner __________ parce que j’aime __________.

Useful Expressions in Conversation

These phrases are commonly heard when checking in or booking:

  • Bonjour, avez-vous de la place pour ce soir ?
    → Hello, do you have any rooms for tonight?
  • Je voudrais une chambre avec douche, s’il vous plaît.
    → I’d like a room with a shower, please.
  • C’est pour deux personnes pour trois nuits.
    → It’s for two people for three nights.
  • Est-ce que le petit déjeuner est compris ?
    → Is breakfast included?
  • La chambre a-t-elle une vue sur la mer ?
    → Does the room have a sea view?

Grammar Tip: Expressing Preferences Politely

French uses the conditional tense (je voudrais, I would like) to make polite requests — a very natural and essential structure in travel situations.

Compare:

  • Je veux une chambre. → I want a room. (direct, not rude, but a bit abrupt)
  • Je voudrais une chambre. → I would like a room. (polite and preferred)

Cultural Note: Booking the French Way

In smaller hotels or rural guesthouses, reservations are often made directly by phone or in person, and staff may appreciate a polite greeting before your question:
→ Bonjour Madame, je cherche une chambre pour deux nuits.

In France, many hotels distinguish between demi-pension (half board) and pension complète (full board), so it’s worth clarifying whether meals are included.

Try It Out

Find Somewhere to Stay

Read each travel challenge and decide what you would say in French. Say your answer aloud, then reveal a possible response.

Think it. Say it. Then check it.
Challenge 1

A night by the sea

You arrive at a small hotel near the harbour. You need somewhere to stay tonight.

You need:

  • a double room;
  • for two people;
  • for one night;
  • with a shower.

Your challenge

Ask whether the hotel has a suitable room for tonight. Then ask whether breakfast is included.

What would you say? Say your answer aloud before revealing the model.

Useful language: avez-vous · une chambre double · avec douche · pour ce soir · le petit déjeuner · compris

One possible answer

Bonjour, avez-vous une chambre double avec douche pour ce soir ? C’est pour deux personnes pour une nuit. Est-ce que le petit déjeuner est compris ?

Hello, do you have a double room with a shower for tonight? It is for two people for one night. Is breakfast included?

Challenge 2

A family stay

You are visiting a historic French town with your family and need a hotel near the centre.

You need:

  • a room for three people;
  • for four nights;
  • near the town centre.

Your challenge

Ask for the room and explain how long you want to stay. Then ask whether the hotel offers half board.

What would you say? Say your answer aloud before revealing the model.

Useful language: je voudrais · une chambre pour trois personnes · près du centre-ville · quatre nuits · la demi-pension

One possible answer

Bonjour, je voudrais une chambre pour trois personnes près du centre-ville. C’est pour quatre nuits. Est-ce que vous proposez la demi-pension ?

Hello, I would like a room for three people near the town centre. It is for four nights. Do you offer half board?

Challenge 3

A quiet guesthouse

You want to spend two peaceful nights in the countryside in a chambre d’hôtes.

You need:

  • a quiet chambre d’hôtes;
  • in the countryside;
  • for two nights.

Your challenge

Explain what kind of accommodation you are looking for. Then ask whether the room has a private bathroom.

What would you say? Say your answer aloud before revealing the model.

Useful language: je cherche · une chambre d’hôtes tranquille · à la campagne · deux nuits · une salle de bains privée

One possible answer

Bonjour, je cherche une chambre d’hôtes tranquille à la campagne pour deux nuits. Est-ce que la chambre a une salle de bains privée ?

Hello, I am looking for a quiet guesthouse in the countryside for two nights. Does the room have a private bathroom?