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hôtel

hotel

noun oh-TEL Less Common
Travel & Places Accommodation

Also means

mansion, townhouse

Usage Note

Hôtel today primarily means a hotel, but historically and in formal usage it refers to a large private residence (hôtel particulier). Hôtel de ville is 'city hall' (not a hotel), a common false friend for visitors. The circumflex on the 'o' marks the historical loss of an 's' (cf. English 'hostel'), and the 'h' is silent.

Examples

"Ils ont réservé une chambre dans un hôtel cinq étoiles."

Natural Translation

They booked a room in a five-star hotel.

Literal Translation

They have reserved a room in a hotel five stars

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