Reception area: meaning, definitions and examples

A place in a building where visitors are greeted and assisted. It's more formal and usually found in offices, hospitals, and hotels.

• Please wait in the reception area until the doctor is ready to see you.
• The reception area was beautifully decorated for the holiday season.

A large public area just inside the main entrance of a building, often in hotels, theaters, and business complexes. It's a bit more informal than 'reception area'.

• We agreed to meet in the hotel lobby at 7 pm.
• The theater lobby was crowded with people waiting for the show to begin.

A small area just inside the main door of a house or apartment, used as a welcoming space. It's more common in residential settings.

• Please leave your shoes in the foyer.
• The foyer was filled with guests waiting to be seated for the dinner party.

The main point of entry into a building. It's a more general term and can be used for any type of building.

• The entrance to the museum is on the left side of the building.
• Make sure to lock the entrance before you leave.

Duplicate entry, describes a designated space in an office, hotel, or other establishment where visitors are first greeted and assisted. It can include a desk, seating, and sometimes informational materials.

• Please wait for me in the reception area. I'll be down shortly.
• The reception area looks very welcoming with new furniture and plants.

Refers to the specific counter or desk where staff provide assistance, check in guests, or address inquiries. Common in hotels, offices, and customer service locations. The term is more personal and direct.

• You can request extra towels at the front desk.
• I reported the lost key to the front desk.

Describes the general open space near the entrance of a building, such as a hotel, theater, or office, where people can walk around, wait, or socialize. This term emphasizes the larger, often more public area.

• Let's meet in the lobby before dinner.
• The hotel lobby is elegantly decorated for the holidays.

Use this term primarily in travel-related locations like airports, hotels, or hospitals, where guests or patients perform the initial formalities before proceeding further. It is somewhat informal and practical.

• Please head to the check-in area to receive your boarding pass.
• We waited for over an hour in the check-in area during the holiday rush.