stay at a hotel

Meaning

This phrase means to reside temporarily as a paying guest in a commercial lodging establishment. It is the standard expression used when traveling.

Examples

• Whenever we travel to London, we stay at a hotel near the tube station.

  Whenever we travel to London, we stay at a hotel near the tube station.

• Are you going to stay at a hotel or with your friends?

  Are you going to stay at a hotel or with your friends?

• We had to stay at a hotel because our flight was canceled.

  We had to stay at a hotel because our flight was canceled.

• It is often cheaper to book online if you want to stay at a hotel.

  It is often cheaper to book online if you want to stay at a hotel.

• They decided to stay at a hotel with a swimming pool for the kids.

  They decided to stay at a hotel with a swimming pool for the kids.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We are staying in a hotel.

  ✓ We are staying at a hotel.

  While 'in' is sometimes used, 'at' is the preferred and most natural preposition when referring to a hotel as a functional place or service.

• ✗ I will sleep at a hotel tonight.

  ✓ I will stay at a hotel tonight.

  'Sleep at a hotel' sounds stilted. 'Stay' implies the entire action of renting a room and living there temporarily.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We prefer to ___ rather than rent an apartment.

  💡 Live temporarily in a paid guest room.

  Show answer

  stay at a hotel

• Did you ___ during your trip to Paris?

  💡 Lodging choice for tourists.

  Show answer

  stay at a hotel