I'm up to about 60 countries now, perhaps about 10% of which it might be reasonable to assume speak English as a first language. I don't think I've ever had a problem at Bonvoy hotels around the world but do try to pitch up and at least say hello in the local language, even if then switching to English straight afterwards.

That's not to say I haven't had difficulties at times in global brand hotels though, a CP in western China springs to mind. But generally speaking I would say that English has become much more widely spoken over the last couple of decades. Perhaps that's something to do with the internet and/or a new generation coming through, who knows...

The main issue nowadays seems to be whether people speak the same type of English as you. Having a British accent is no guarantee of being understood, however loudly we repeat ourselves