Swahili · Travel & Places
hoteli
Hotel; restaurant
Beginnernoun
Definition
A hotel; in East Africa, small local restaurants are also called hoteli.
Example
Tulipanga chumba katika hoteli karibu na pwani.
We booked a room in a hotel near the coast.
Etymology
'Hoteli' comes from the English word 'hotel', introduced to East Africa during colonial times. It represents the establishment of Western-style lodging and hospitality industry standards.
How & Where It’s Used
'Hoteli' is used formally and informally to refer to hotels and restaurants, particularly in tourist regions. It is used in both spoken conversation and written materials like travel guides.