What's the meaning of 〜ておきます?

Question

What exactly does 〜ておきます mean in this context? 旅行{りょこう}する前{まえ}にホテルを予約{よやく}**しておきます**。 Is this trying to say something like "Before traveling, reserve a room". Is this a suggestion? An order? (If so, why aren't they using ください at the end instead of おきます?)

Answer 1

TE+OKU means to do something in advance so that it will be ready for some event in the future. OKU, by itself, means "to put/place."

旅行する前にホテルを予約しておきます。Before (you/we) travel, (I?) will reserve the hotel room.

パーティーのため、コーラを買っておいてください。For the party, please buy some cola.

台風や地震などがいつでも起こるので、ラジオ、電池、食べ物と水を準備しておいたらいい。Typhoons, earthquakes and the like can occur at anytime, so you should have a radio, batteries, food and water prepared.