at a hotel

USAGE SUMMARY

"at a hotel" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is taking place or located inside a hotel. Example: I stayed at a hotel in Paris during my vacation. Another example: The conference will be held at a hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why stay at a hotel when a resort is nearby?

The New York Times

"That's breakfast at a hotel".

The New York Times

We'd stay at a hotel, always.

The New Yorker

They spent the day at a hotel.

The New Yorker

I have to stay at a hotel".

The New Yorker

We were at a hotel in Melbourne.

The New Yorker

run into each other at a hotel.

The New York Times

I arrived at a hotel in Orlando, Florida.

The Economist

"I'm staying at a hotel".

The New York Times - Magazine

THERE'S a knock at a hotel door.

The New York Times

He shined shoes at a hotel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "at a hotel", ensure the context clearly indicates an action, event, or state occurring within the hotel's premises. For example, "The conference was held at a hotel".

Common error

Avoid using "in a hotel" when "at a hotel" is more appropriate, as "at" specifies a location for an event or activity, while "in" typically refers to being enclosed within the building.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a hotel" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the location where an action takes place or a state exists. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its proper usage, and by various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a hotel" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that specifies the location of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, supported by numerous examples across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the appropriate preposition to convey the intended meaning, as demonstrated in the writing guidance. While "at a hotel" and "in a hotel" are sometimes used interchangeably, "at a hotel" is generally preferred for specifying the location of events, whereas "in a hotel" refers to physical location within the building. Alternative phrases, such as "in a hotel" or "inside a hotel", offer subtle nuances that can refine the precision of your writing. The expert rating further validates the phrase's correctness, source authority, and consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a hotel

Changes the preposition used to indicate location, slightly altering the emphasis.

inside a hotel

Specifies that the location is within the interior of the hotel.

within a hotel

Indicates that something is located or contained within the hotel's premises.

at the hotel

Uses the definite article, implying a specific hotel known to both speaker and listener.

in hotel accommodations

Rephrases to focus on the type of lodging.

on the hotel premises

Emphasizes the location being within the hotel's property.

at a lodging establishment

Substitutes "hotel" with a more formal term.

during a hotel stay

Focuses on the time spent in the hotel, rather than just the location.

while residing at a hotel

More formal phrasing indicating temporary residence.

at a hospitality venue

Replaces 'hotel' with a broader term indicating a place for lodging and services.

FAQs

How is "at a hotel" used in a sentence?

The phrase "at a hotel" specifies a location where an event, activity, or state of being occurs. For example, "The meeting will be held at a hotel" or "They are staying at a hotel during their vacation".

What are some alternatives to "at a hotel"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "in a hotel", "inside a hotel", or "at the hotel".

Is it correct to say "in a hotel" instead of "at a hotel"?

While both phrases are sometimes used interchangeably, "at a hotel" is generally preferred when referring to an event or activity occurring there. "In a hotel" typically refers to being physically located inside the building. For example, you attend a conference "at a hotel", but you sleep "in a hotel" room.

What's the difference between staying "at a hotel" and staying "at the hotel"?

Staying "at a hotel" refers to staying at any hotel in general. Staying "at the hotel" implies that you are staying at a specific hotel that is known to both the speaker and the listener.