I would like a room
in SpanishQuisiera una habitación.
/kee-see-EH-rah OO-nah ah-bee-tah-see-OHN/
This is the most polite, standard, and widely appreciated way to request a room. It's perfect for any hotel or accommodation setting and will always be well-received.
Using a polite phrase like 'Quisiera una habitación, por favor' is the perfect way to begin your stay and make a great first impression.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Me gustaría una habitación.
/meh goos-tah-REE-ah OO-nah ah-bee-tah-see-OHN/
Meaning 'I would like a room,' this is another extremely common and polite option. It's slightly less formal than 'Quisiera' but is a perfectly safe and friendly choice everywhere.
¿Tiene/Tienen una habitación disponible?
/TYEH-neh/TYEH-nen OO-nah ah-bee-tah-see-OHN dees-poh-NEE-bleh?/
This shifts from a statement to a question: 'Do you have a room available?'. It's a very practical and common way to start the conversation.
Quiero una habitación.
/KYEH-roh OO-nah ah-bee-tah-see-OHN/
This directly translates to 'I want a room'. While grammatically correct, it can sound blunt or demanding without the right tone or the addition of 'por favor' (please).
Busco una habitación.
/BOOS-koh OO-nah ah-bee-tah-see-OHN/
Meaning 'I'm looking for a room,' this is a slightly more indirect way to state your purpose. It's friendly and gets the point across without being a direct request.
Necesito una habitación.
/neh-seh-SEE-toh OO-nah ah-bee-tah-see-OHN/
This means 'I need a room'. It implies necessity or urgency and is more direct than 'I would like'.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right phrase depends on the level of politeness you want to convey. Here's a quick comparison:
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quisiera una habitación. | Formal | Any hotel situation where you want to be maximally polite and respectful. | Never a bad choice, but might feel overly formal in a casual youth hostel. |
| Me gustaría una habitación. | Neutral | Almost any context. It's the perfect balance of polite and friendly. | This phrase is incredibly versatile and safe to use in any situation. |
| ¿Tiene una habitación...? | Neutral | Inquiring about availability, especially over the phone or as an opening question. | When you've already been told rooms are available and you're ready to book. |
| Quiero una habitación. | Informal | Casual settings like hostels, or if you add 'por favor' and use a very friendly tone. | Speaking to staff at mid-range to upscale hotels, as it can sound demanding. |
📈Difficulty Level
The 'h' in 'habitación' is silent, and the '-ción' ending can be tricky for beginners. The rhythm of 'quisiera' also takes a little practice.
'Quisiera' is technically an advanced verb form (the imperfect subjunctive), but for this phrase, you just need to memorize it as a fixed, polite chunk. It's very easy to use.
Understanding the politeness difference between 'Quiero', 'Me gustaría', and 'Quisiera' is key to making a good impression in service environments.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to use the polite forms ('Quisiera'/'Me gustaría')
- Pronouncing 'habitación' correctly without the 'h' sound.
💡Examples in Action
Buenas tardes, quisiera una habitación doble para dos noches, por favor.
Good afternoon, I would like a double room for two nights, please.
Hola, llamaba para saber si tienen una habitación individual disponible para mañana.
Hi, I was calling to see if you have a single room available for tomorrow.
¡Hola! ¿Qué tal? Quiero un cuarto para una persona, solo por esta noche. ¿Es posible?
Hey! How's it going? I want a room for one person, just for tonight. Is that possible?
Disculpe, busco una habitación con vista al mar.
Excuse me, I'm looking for a room with an ocean view.
🌍Cultural Context
Politeness is Paramount
In service situations like checking into a hotel, politeness is highly valued in Spanish-speaking cultures. Using 'Quisiera' or 'Me gustaría' instead of the more direct 'Quiero' shows respect and is more likely to result in a warm, helpful interaction.
Always Use a Greeting First
Never just walk up to the desk and say 'Quisiera una habitación'. Always start with a greeting appropriate for the time of day, like 'Buenos días' (Good morning), 'Buenas tardes' (Good afternoon), or 'Buenas noches' (Good evening). It's considered basic manners.
Specify Your Needs
It's very common to immediately follow your request with more details. Be ready to specify the type of room ('una habitación individual' for single, 'doble' for double) and the number of nights ('para una noche', 'para tres noches').
The Formal 'Usted'
In hotels, you should almost always use the formal 'usted' form when speaking to staff. This is why you ask '¿Tiene usted...?' ('Do you have...?') rather than the informal '¿Tienes...?'. It's a sign of respect for their professional role.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Sounding Demanding with 'Quiero'
Mistake: "Walking up to the counter and saying 'Quiero una habitación.' without 'por favor' or a friendly tone."
Correction: Quisiera una habitación, por favor.
Confusing 'Habitación' and 'Cuarto'
Mistake: "Using 'cuarto' in all situations."
Correction: Use 'habitación' for hotel rooms.
Pronouncing the Silent 'H'
Mistake: "Pronouncing 'habitación' like 'ha-bee-tah-see-OHN'."
Correction: ah-bee-tah-see-OHN
💡Pro Tips
Always Add 'Por Favor'
No matter which phrase you choose, adding 'por favor' (please) at the end is a simple way to ensure you sound polite. 'Quiero una habitación, por favor' sounds much better than 'Quiero una habitación' alone.
Prepare Your Follow-up Info
The receptionist will immediately ask you for more details. Be ready with answers for '¿Para cuántas personas?' (For how many people?) and '¿Por cuántas noches?' (For how many nights?).
Learn Room Types
Expand your request by learning key room types: 'una habitación individual' (single room), 'una habitación doble' (double room, often with two beds), or 'una habitación con cama matrimonial' (a room with one large bed).
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The 'vosotros' form might be heard in very informal settings ('¿Tenéis una habitación?'), but 'usted/ustedes' is the standard for hotels. Politeness is expected, but service can sometimes be more direct than in Latin America.
Mexico
The word 'cuarto' is just as common, if not more so, than 'habitación' for a hotel room. Extreme politeness is very common, so using 'Quisiera' is an excellent choice. You might hear the future tense used for polite requests, like '¿Tendrá...?' ('Will you have...?').
Argentina
While 'usted' is used in formal hotel settings, the 'vos' form ('tenés' instead of 'tienes') is standard for informal address. You would likely still use 'Quisiera' to be polite when making the initial request at a hotel.
💬What Comes Next?
After you ask for a room
¿Para cuántas personas?
For how many people?
Para una persona / Para dos personas.
For one person / For two people.
After you specify the number of people
¿Y por cuántas noches?
And for how many nights?
Solo una noche / Por tres noches.
Just one night / For three nights.
After they confirm availability
Sí, tenemos una habitación disponible.
Yes, we have a room available.
Perfecto. ¿Cuánto cuesta la noche?
Perfect. How much is it per night?
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, we make 'I want' polite by changing it to 'I would like' or adding 'please'. Spanish does this too, but the difference between 'Quiero' (I want) and 'Quisiera' (I would like) is a grammatical change in the verb itself, which carries a stronger weight of politeness. This grammatical politeness is a key feature of the language.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: While a direct translation is 'Quiero una habitación', the English phrase 'I want a room' can sound neutral or even polite depending on tone. The Spanish 'Quiero' is much more direct and can easily sound rude without careful softening.
Use instead: To capture the neutral-to-polite tone of 'I want a room' in English, it's safer to use 'Me gustaría una habitación' or 'Quisiera una habitación' in Spanish.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How much is it per night?
This is the most logical next question after they confirm they have a room.
I have a reservation.
This is the other common scenario when you arrive at a hotel.
Does it include breakfast?
A practical question to ask before confirming your booking.
Can I pay with a credit card?
An essential phrase for handling the payment for your room.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I would like a room
Question 1 of 3
You've just walked into a nice hotel in Madrid. What is the most polite way to ask for a room?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'Quisiera' and 'Me gustaría'?
They are very similar and both mean 'I would like'. 'Quisiera' is often considered slightly more formal and polite, like saying 'I would be so kind as to have...'. 'Me gustaría' is extremely common, polite, and friendly. You can't go wrong with either, but 'Quisiera' is a gold standard for politeness in service situations.
Is it ever okay to just say 'Quiero'?
Yes, in more casual contexts. If you're at a laid-back hostel or speaking with someone you have a friendly rapport with, saying 'Quiero una habitación, por favor' with a smile is perfectly fine. For initial interactions in more formal settings, it's better to use a more polite form.
What's the difference between 'habitación' and 'cuarto' for a hotel?
'Habitación' is the universally understood word for a hotel room across the entire Spanish-speaking world. 'Cuarto' also means room, and in some countries like Mexico, it's very common for hotel rooms. To be safe and understood everywhere, 'habitación' is your best bet.
How do I ask for a specific type of room?
Just add the description after 'habitación'. For example: 'Quisiera una habitación individual' (for a single room), 'una habitación doble' (for a double room), or 'una habitación con vista al mar' (with an ocean view).
What should I say after they tell me the price?
If the price is acceptable, you can say 'Perfecto, la tomo' or 'Muy bien, la quiero', which both mean 'Perfect, I'll take it'. Then you can ask '¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?' (Can I pay by card?).
Why do people say '¿Tiene?' instead of '¿Tienes?' to the receptionist?
This is the difference between formal and informal 'you'. 'Tiene' is the formal 'usted' form, used to show respect to strangers, elders, and professionals. 'Tienes' is the informal 'tú' form, used for friends, family, and people your age. In a hotel, you should always use the formal 'usted' form.
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