hotel bellhop

Meaning

A hotel bellhop (often just called a bellhop or bellman) is a staff member at a hotel who helps guests with their luggage, escorts them to their rooms, and assists with basic errands. It is customary to tip them for their service, especially in North America.

Examples

• The hotel bellhop loaded our heavy suitcases onto a gold luggage cart.

  The hotel bellhop loaded our heavy suitcases onto a gold luggage cart.

• We tipped the hotel bellhop five dollars for bringing our bags up to the penthouse.

  We tipped the hotel bellhop five dollars for bringing our bags up to the penthouse.

• If you need help moving your bags to the lobby, just call the hotel bellhop.

  If you need help moving your bags to the lobby, just call the hotel bellhop.

• The friendly hotel bellhop gave us some great recommendations for local restaurants.

  The friendly hotel bellhop gave us some great recommendations for local restaurants.

• I left my bags with the hotel bellhop because our room wasn't ready for check-in yet.

  I left my bags with the hotel bellhop because our room wasn't ready for check-in yet.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I asked the hotel suitcase boy to carry my bags.

  ✓ I asked the hotel bellhop to carry my bags.

  Referring to hotel staff as 'suitcase boy' or 'luggage boy' is outdated, potentially offensive, and incorrect. Use 'bellhop' or 'bellman'.

• ✗ The hotel bellhop took my luggage to the room and I said him thank you.

  ✓ The hotel bellhop took my luggage to the room and I thanked him.

  You 'thank someone' directly, rather than 'saying them thank you' in English.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The ___ offered to take our bags while we checked in at the front desk.

  💡 The staff member who carries guest luggage.

  Show answer

  hotel bellhop

• Don't forget to tip the ___ when they bring your suitcases up to your room.

  💡 The hotel porter who helps with bags.

  Show answer

  hotel bellhop