When talking about hotels in Estonia, you'll find that "hotell" is the most common and direct term. It's used in everyday conversation and on signs, so you'll hear it a lot.
While Estonians understand the English word "hotel," using "hotell" shows you're making an effort to speak the local language, which is always appreciated.
For example, if you're asking for directions, saying "Kus on lähim hotell?" (Where is the nearest hotel?) is perfectly clear.
You might also encounter phrases like "hotelli broneering" (hotel booking) or "hotelli vastuvõtt" (hotel reception).
When discussing places to stay in Estonia, hotell is your go-to word for 'hotel'. It's a direct loanword from German and is widely understood. You'll hear it in everyday conversation and see it on signs. While there are other terms for accommodations, like külalistemaja (guesthouse) or majutusasutus (lodging establishment), hotell specifically refers to a hotel as you'd typically expect it. So, if you're looking for a standard hotel experience, this is the word to use. It's a practical and straightforward term for any traveler.
§ 'Hotell' is simple: don't overcomplicate it!
Many English speakers learning Estonian try to find hidden complexities in simple words. 'Hotell' is one of those words. It directly translates to 'hotel' and is used in almost the exact same way. Resist the urge to look for nuances that aren't there.
§ Don't confuse 'hotell' with 'hostel'
While both 'hotell' and 'hostel' are places to stay, they are different in Estonian, just as they are in English. An Estonian 'hostel' (often just called 'hostel' or sometimes 'ühiselamu' for a dormitory) is a budget accommodation, usually with shared rooms. A 'hotell' is a more traditional hotel.
- Wrong
- Ma jään odavasse hotelli, kus on palju teisi reisijaid. (I'm staying in a cheap hotel with many other travelers.)
This sentence might imply you're staying in a hostel, but by using 'hotell', you're specifically saying 'hotel'.
- Right
- Ma jään odavasse hostelisse, kus on palju teisi reisijaid. (I'm staying in a cheap hostel with many other travelers.)
§ Case endings: the usual Estonian challenge
Like all Estonian nouns, 'hotell' changes its ending depending on its role in the sentence. This is where most mistakes happen, not with the meaning of the word itself. Don't forget that Estonian has 14 cases!
Common cases with 'hotell':
- Nominative (basic form)
- Hotell on kallis. (The hotel is expensive.)
See hotell on uus. (This hotel is new.)
- Partitive (for partial amounts or negative sentences)
- Ma nägin hotelli. (I saw a hotel [not all of it, just one].) / Ma ei näinud hotelli. (I didn't see a hotel.)
Nad ehitavad uut hotelli. (They are building a new hotel.)
- Genitive (possessive or before other nouns)
- Hotelli nimi on ... (The hotel's name is...)
Hotelli toad on puhtad. (The hotel's rooms are clean.)
- Inessive ('in' or 'at')
- Ma olen hotellis. (I am in the hotel.)
Kohtume hotellis kell seitse. (Let's meet at the hotel at seven.)
- Allative ('to' or 'on', for movement towards)
- Ma lähen hotelli. (I am going to the hotel.)
Käime täna õhtul hotelli. (Let's go to the hotel tonight.)
Remember, 'hotell' itself is straightforward. The challenge lies in correctly applying Estonian grammar around it. Focus on getting the cases right, and you'll use 'hotell' like a native speaker in no time.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Kas siin lähedal on mõni hotell?
Is there a hotel nearby?
Ma broneerisin hotelli.
I booked a hotel.
Millises hotellis te peatusite?
Which hotel did you stay in?
Hotell asub kesklinnas.
The hotel is located in the city center.
Ma otsin hotelli Tallinnas.
I'm looking for a hotel in Tallinn.
See on väga ilus hotell.
This is a very beautiful hotel.
Hotellil on bassein.
The hotel has a swimming pool.
Hommikusöök on hotelli hinnas.
Breakfast is included in the hotel price.
Kas hotellis on tasuta wifi?
Does the hotel have free wifi?
Ma tahan hotellist välja registreerida.
I want to check out of the hotel.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Adjektive
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of a 'hot tel'ephone call you might make from a hotel to book a stay.
Visuelle Assoziation
Picture a grand, luxurious 'hot'el building with a large 'bell' that rings when guests arrive.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Describe your ideal hotel in Estonian, using 'hotell' in your description.
Teste dich selbst 54 Fragen
Write a short sentence saying you want to go to a hotel in Tallinn.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ma tahan Tallinna hotelli minna.
Write a short sentence saying the hotel is good.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Hotell on hea.
Write a short sentence saying you are in a hotel.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ma olen hotellis.
Kus on hotell? (Where is the hotel?)
Read this passage:
See on hotell. Hotell on suur. See on Tallinnas.
Kus on hotell? (Where is the hotel?)
The passage states 'See on Tallinnas.' which means 'It is in Tallinn.'
The passage states 'See on Tallinnas.' which means 'It is in Tallinn.'
Mis on mugav? (What is comfortable?)
Read this passage:
Ma olen hotellis. Hotell on mugav. Mulle meeldib see.
Mis on mugav? (What is comfortable?)
The sentence 'Hotell on mugav' translates to 'The hotel is comfortable.'
The sentence 'Hotell on mugav' translates to 'The hotel is comfortable.'
Kas hotell on kena? (Is the hotel nice?)
Read this passage:
Kas see on hotell? Jah, see on hotell. Hotell on kena.
Kas hotell on kena? (Is the hotel nice?)
The passage says 'Jah, see on hotell. Hotell on kena.' which means 'Yes, it is a hotel. The hotel is nice.'
The passage says 'Jah, see on hotell. Hotell on kena.' which means 'Yes, it is a hotel. The hotel is nice.'
I booked a room in a beautiful hotel.
Does the hotel have a swimming pool?
Our hotel is located in the city center.
Read this aloud:
Ma vajan hotelli lähedal randa.
Focus: hotelli
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Read this aloud:
Kas see on kallis hotell?
Focus: kallis
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Read this aloud:
Millises hotellis sa peatud?
Focus: hotellis
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The verb 'ööbisime' (we stayed) comes first, followed by the adjective 'suures' (large) describing the noun 'hotellis' (in the hotel).
The verb 'otsime' (we are looking for) starts the sentence, followed by the adjective 'mugavat' (comfortable) and the noun 'hotelli' (hotel).
The verb 'broneerisin' (I booked) comes first, then the direct object 'hotellitoa' (hotel room), and finally the time adverb 'eile' (yesterday).
Pärast pikka reisi oli hea _____ sisse registreerida.
The sentence means 'After a long journey, it was good to check into a hotel.' 'Hotelli' is the illative case of 'hotell', indicating movement into the hotel.
Meie toas oli fantastiline vaade merele, mis oli _____ suurepärane.
The sentence means 'Our room had a fantastic view of the sea, which was superb in the hotel.' 'Hotellis' is the inessive case of 'hotell', indicating location within the hotel.
Kas olete juba broneerinud _____ järgmiseks nädalaks?
The sentence means 'Have you already booked a hotel for next week?' 'Hotelli' is the genitive case of 'hotell' when it is the direct object of 'broneerima' (to book).
Hommikusöök serveeritakse _____ esimesel korrusel.
The sentence means 'Breakfast is served on the first floor of the hotel.' Here, 'hotelli' is the genitive case used to show possession or association ('of the hotel').
Kontrollige palun, kas _____ administraator on kohal.
The sentence means 'Please check if the hotel administrator is present.' 'Hotelli' in the genitive case modifies 'administraator' (administrator), indicating 'hotel's administrator'.
Pärast pikka päeva linnas nautisime vaikust meie _____ toas.
The sentence means 'After a long day in the city, we enjoyed the quiet in our hotel room.' 'Hotelli' is the genitive case here, acting as an adjective ('hotel room').
Imagine you are booking a room for a friend. Write an email to the hotel reception asking for a room with two separate beds. Mention the dates of stay (from July 15th to July 20th) and ask about breakfast options. Start with a polite greeting and end with a polite closing.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Tere päevast! Soovin broneerida tuba oma sõbrale kuupäevadeks 15. juulist 20. juulini. Kas oleks võimalik saada tuba, kus on kaks eraldiasuvat voodit? Samuti, palun andke teada hommikusöögi võimalustest ja selle hinnast. Parimate soovidega, [Sinu nimi]
You just stayed at a hotel and had a great experience. Write a short review for their website mentioning what you liked most about your stay (e.g., friendly staff, comfortable bed, good location).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Minu viibimine teie hotellis oli väga meeldiv. Eriti tahaksin esile tõsta sõbralikku personali, kes oli alati abivalmis. Toas oli ka väga mugav voodi ja hotelli asukoht oli suurepärane. Tänan teid suurepärase kogemuse eest!
You need to cancel a hotel reservation. Write a polite email to the hotel explaining that you unfortunately have to cancel your booking for [your name] from [start date] to [end date] due to unforeseen circumstances. Ask for confirmation of the cancellation.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Tere päevast! Kahjuks pean tühistama oma broneeringu (nimi: [Sinu nimi]) kuupäevadeks [alguskuupäev] kuni [lõppkuupäev] ootamatute asjaolude tõttu. Palun kinnitage tühistamine. Tänan teid mõistva suhtumise eest. Lugupidamisega, [Sinu nimi]
Miks Lauri ja Mari Pärnusse reisisid?
Read this passage:
Lauri ja Mari otsustasid veeta oma pulma-aastapäeva Pärnus. Nad broneerisid toa neljatärni hotellis, mis asus mere lähedal. Hotellil oli spaa ja restoran, kus pakuti kohalikke delikatesse. Lauri tahtis Marile üllatuse teha ja tellis tuppa hommikul värsked lilled. Nad nautisid oma puhkust väga.
Miks Lauri ja Mari Pärnusse reisisid?
Tekstis on mainitud: 'Lauri ja Mari otsustasid veeta oma pulma-aastapäeva Pärnus.'
Tekstis on mainitud: 'Lauri ja Mari otsustasid veeta oma pulma-aastapäeva Pärnus.'
Mis kellani saab hotellist lahkuda?
Read this passage:
Hotelli vastuvõtulaud on avatud 24 tundi ööpäevas. Sisseregistreerimine algab kell 15:00 ja väljaregistreerimine on hiljemalt kell 12:00. Kõikides tubades on tasuta WiFi-ühendus. Lemmikloomad ei ole lubatud. Hommikusöök on Rootsi lauas ja seda pakutakse restoranis kella 7:00-st kuni 10:00-ni.
Mis kellani saab hotellist lahkuda?
Tekstis on mainitud: 'väljaregistreerimine on hiljemalt kell 12:00.'
Tekstis on mainitud: 'väljaregistreerimine on hiljemalt kell 12:00.'
Miks Anna valis just selle hotelli?
Read this passage:
Noor naine, Anna, oli ärireisil Tallinnas. Ta broneeris endale toa kesklinna hotellis, et oleks lihtne kohtumistele minna. Hotell pakkus ka konverentsiruume, mis Annale väga sobisid, sest ta pidi korraldama väikese seminari. Pärast tööpäeva nautis Anna hotelli katusebaaris kaunist vaadet linnale.
Miks Anna valis just selle hotelli?
Tekstis on öeldud: 'Ta broneeris endale toa kesklinna hotellis, et oleks lihtne kohtumistele minna. Hotell pakkus ka konverentsiruume, mis Annale väga sobisid.'
Tekstis on öeldud: 'Ta broneeris endale toa kesklinna hotellis, et oleks lihtne kohtumistele minna. Hotell pakkus ka konverentsiruume, mis Annale väga sobisid.'
Pay attention to the details of the hotel booking.
Listen for information about hotel services and check-in.
Focus on the hotel's location and what's included.
Read this aloud:
Ma tahaksin broneerida hotellitoa kolmeks ööks.
Focus: ho-tell-i-too-a
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Read this aloud:
Kas hommikusöök on hotelli hinnas?
Focus: hom-mi-kus-öök
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Read this aloud:
Palun suunake mind lähimasse hotelli.
Focus: lä-hi-mas-se
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This sentence describes planning a summer vacation in Estonia, showing the correct word order for future plans.
This question asks if someone has ever considered moving to the countryside, demonstrating the interrogative sentence structure.
This sentence describes going to a restaurant with friends last night, illustrating the past tense and prepositional phrases.
Pärast pikka reisi oli meie ainus soov jõuda kiiresti hubasesse ___ ja puhata.
Inessive case 'hotelli' is needed to express 'into the hotel'.
Konverentsi korraldajad broneerisid kõigile esinejatele toad linna parimas ___.
Inessive case 'hotellis' is used to indicate 'in the hotel'.
Kuulsate näitlejate külastus tekitas kohalikus ___ suurt elevust ja meediakajastust.
Inessive case 'hotellis' is used to indicate 'in the hotel', referring to the location where the excitement occurred.
Nad otsustasid oma pulmapeo korraldada ajaloolise ___ banketisaalis.
Genitive case 'hotelli' is used as a possessive, meaning 'of the hotel'.
Erinevalt teistest majutusasutustest pakub see ___ luksuslikke spaateenuseid.
Nominative case 'hotell' is used as the subject of the sentence, meaning 'this hotel'.
Pärast tulekahju oli vaja kogu ___ põhjalikult rekonstrueerida.
Partitive case 'hotelli' is used as the direct object of 'rekonstrueerida' (to reconstruct), indicating that the reconstruction was applied to 'the hotel'.
Pärast pikka reisi oli meie ainus soov jõuda kiiresti ____, et saaksime puhata ja järgmiseks päevaks energiat koguda.
Kontekstist järeldub, et otsitakse kohta puhkamiseks pärast pikka reisi, mis sobib hotelli kirjeldusega.
Vaatamata hilisele saabumisele võttis sõbralik administraator meid ____ vastu ja andis kätte toakaardid.
Administraator võtab külalisi vastu hotellis, mis on kontekstiga kooskõlas.
Hommikusööki pakuti ____ peenes restoranis, kus laud oli kaetud rikkaliku valikuga.
Hommikusöök pakutakse tavaliselt hotelli restoranis, mis on loogiline valik.
Luksuslik ____ pakkus külalistele spaateenuseid ja suurepäraseid vaateid merele.
Spaateenuseid ja merevaateid pakub tüüpiliselt luksuslik hotell.
Enne reisi tasub alati kontrollida ____ arvustusi ja asukohta, et veenduda sobivuses.
Reisile minnes on oluline kontrollida hotelli arvustusi ja asukohta.
Lastega peredele sobis see ____ eriti hästi, sest seal oli mängutuba ja lastebassein.
Mängutuba ja lastebassein on tüüpilised hotelli mugavused peredele.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
