The Native Speaker Word for Luxury Hotels and Restaurants

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• The Native Speaker Word for Luxury Hotels and Restaurants

• Quote of the Day: Chelsea Clinton

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• Word of the Day: Establishment

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The Native Speaker Word for Luxury Hotels and Restaurants

Writing about luxury venues in Provence and Monaco

I've just returned from organising a corporate event in Provence and Monaco, and we visited several luxury hotels and restaurants.

In December, I'll give a presentation about the event. In this formal context, I'll use a word that most English learners know but may have never encountered in the context of hospitality.

This week, we'll examine 'establishment' and discuss when native speakers use it for hotels and restaurants, and when they don't.

What is an 'Establishment' in Hospitality?

Most English learners know 'establishment' as the noun form of 'to establish':

In hospitality contexts, 'establishment' has a different usage. It means a commercial venue where services are provided, particularly hotels, restaurants, and clubs that have prestige, history, or formality.

Native speakers use phrases like "a prestigious establishment," "a fine dining establishment," or "this establishment has been serving guests since..."

When Hotels Become 'Establishments' - Examples

Le Negresco Hotel, Nice

Le Negresco in Nice is one of my favourite hotels in the world and feels as much like a museum as a hotel. We used it as the venue for the first day of our event.

In my formal presentation, I might say: "This prestigious hotel has welcomed guests since 1913. We chose this establishment because of its prestige, central location and individuality, giving it a family feel despite its size."

Notice how I varied the vocabulary? Native speakers use 'establishment' to avoid repeating 'hotel' in formal contexts. It adds variety and sounds more professional.

However, I would never say to a friend during the event: "I am going back to the establishment now."

Instead, I'd say: "I am going back to the hotel now."

La Bastide de Moustiers

Our second night was in Provence at a small hotel with 13 rooms in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie called La Bastide de Moustiers.

We stayed there because of its boutique character and its Alain Ducasse Michelin-starred restaurant. In this case, we can use 'establishment' to refer to the whole property, just the hotel, or just the restaurant. It is all high-end.

When NOT to Use 'Establishment'

Les Restanques de Moustiers

I had 10 staff working for me on the event. Because La Bastide has only 13 rooms, our staff had to stay at another location. I chose Les Restanques de Moustiers.

This is a lovely 3-star hotel with 22 rooms and I stayed there several times in preparation for the event. Technically, I could use the word 'establishment' to describe this place and it would be grammatically correct, but in English, it wouldn't sound natural. This isn't due to the quality, but because it lacks the history, reputation, or luxury of the other properties we discussed.

Instead, I'd say: "Our staff stayed at a very nice hotel in the village."

No Fixed Rule

Unfortunately, there is no fixed rule about when you can start calling a venue an establishment. In fact, the French website for Les Restanques uses "établissement" twice.

This is not uncommon in language. Think about using adjectives like "luxurious" - when exactly does a hotel become luxurious? It tends to be a matter of opinion and context.

However, I tend not to use 'establishment' for budget or chain hotels, casual restaurants, or fast food venues. I also avoid it in informal contexts, even for luxury venues.

Quote of the Day: Chelsea Clinton

Economy and precision of language matter in business English. You need to both recognise formal words like 'establishment' when others use them, and know when to use them yourself.

We Value Your Feedback!

Your opinion helps us improve and lets you suggest topics or ask Business English questions for future issues.

Word of the day: Establishment

Establishment - noun - has several meanings in English. It can mean 'the act of founding' (the establishment of the company in 2006) or refer to 'the power structure' (the political establishment). However, in hospitality and business contexts, 'establishment' means a commercial venue or premises, particularly one with prestige, history, or formality.

Literal Meaning: Establishment comes from the Old French "establiss-," meaning "to make firm or stable." Originally referring to the act of founding or making something permanent, it evolved to describe the places themselves - particularly those with permanence, stability, and reputation.

Business English Context: In professional settings, 'establishment' is used to describe hotels, restaurants, clubs, and venues with a certain level of formality, prestige, or history. It's particularly valuable for elegant variation in formal writing, avoiding repetition of "hotel" or "restaurant." Understanding when to use it (and when not to) demonstrates sophisticated language awareness.

Common Business Collocations:

• Prestigious establishment - a venue with high reputation

• Fine dining establishment - an upscale restaurant

• Licensed establishment - a venue with official permits

• Reputable establishment - a well-regarded business premises

• Historic establishment - a venue with significant history

• Luxury establishment - a high-end hotel or venue

• Commercial establishment - a business premises (formal/legal)

Professional Applications:

Event planning: "We selected this establishment for its central location and Belle Époque character" (= formal way to describe a luxury hotel)

Business writing: "The hotel has welcomed international guests since 1900. This establishment combines traditional elegance with modern amenities" (= elegant variation to avoid repeating "hotel")

Client proposals: "The Michelin-starred establishment offers private dining rooms for corporate events" (= professional tone when presenting restaurant options)

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Disclaimer:

This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The information contained herein is generic and does not take into account your individual financial circumstances. You should always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions.

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