Wo befindet sich das nächste Hotel

I just saw this sentence “Wo befindet sich das nächste Hotel” which means “where is the next hotel. In speaking, I would most likely say “Wo ist das nächste Hotel” if I wanted to say this.
1. When will you be using “befindet”?
2. Why do you use “sich” in this sentence?

Hallo RexV,

Sich befinden is a reflexive verb form (so it needs the sich) that means "to be located." You might find it a little odd or stiff to say "Where is the next hotel located?" in English, but it is more common in German. In general, however, there isn't any particular instance where you should use sich befinden over sein. 

Tschüss!

Liss

Thanks!

Would it be fine in German to just say “Wo ist das nächste Hotel?"

Hallo RexV, 

Yes, you could say "Wo ist das nächste Hotel?". 

Grüße, 
Leah

Is there a chapter about "reflexive verb form"?

I don't see a specific section on reflexive verbs in Rocket German.
However if you google "German reflexive verbs" you will find plenty including:
Deutche Welle: 
https://learngerman.dw.com/en/reflexive-verbs-1/l-38052935/gr-38318044
German with Jenny: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idPMk0PQ1Kc
and: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHRSjALM9VM
 

Hallo RexV und sfpugh!

Thanks very much for those useful resources, sfpugh!

As sfpugh says, RexV, we unfortunately don't have any lessons specifically on the reflexive in our course - yet. We do have plans to create one, however, so it is in the pipeline!

Tschüss!

Liss