Hotels in China range from inexpensive inns that offer simple hostel-like accommodation to lavish 5-star hotels. Whether on a holiday or on a business trip, our hotel guide should help you understand the hotel situation in China and find a hotel well-suited to your needs.
Selecting a Hotel
Alila Hotel in Yangshuo. Some boutique hotels are built in a uniquely Chinese way displaying distinctive Chinese architecture and decor.
From domestically run hotels to international chain hotels, the types and brands of hotels to choose from are quite wide in the big cities. So also is the range of facilities and services provided at each hotel. The following tips can help you reach the dream hotel of your choice easily.
1. Know the facilities available in hotels, so that you can get the best out of your stay. A general overview of the facilities and services available at hotels in China is given later in this article.
2. Go through hotel websites or booking platforms to see what the hotels have to offer. In China, most hotels do not have websites in English so you can consult platforms like Trip.com, Booking.com, Agoda.com, etc. They offer good information about the hotels, the price range, location, and amenities. You also have the option to filter the searches so that you can reach your preferred choices more easily.
3. Have a look at hotel star ratings so as to have an idea of what to expect in a hotel, though the situation varies from place to place.
4. Focus on what matters most to you. You should know your requirements clearly so that you focus on those areas and filter your searches accordingly. Are you looking for a hotel in a particular price range or is it the location that is more important? Does the hotel have the necessary amenities that you are looking for and if it does, are they free or do you need to pay extra charges? What is the cancellation policy? It is good to know these things beforehand to prevent any unpleasant surprises.
5. Read the reviews of previous customers to have a general idea of the hotel situation, and to be warned of any problems beforehand. Focus on recent reviews. TripAdvisor is a good platform to read reviews.
6. Check the location of the hotel on the map. It is good to know the exact location of the hotel, and the important things around. Finding one close to the places of interest can be very convenient.
7. Make the best of your money by searching for any deals that you might be able to avail. Some platforms bundle hotels with flights or car rentals and this way you can save some money. Others give points or promotions that can be used to get discounts.
Things You Need to Know
First-time visitors in China need to register with the local police station within 24 hours of entry. If you are staying at a hotel, you don't need to go to the police station as the hotel takes care of this for you. A photocopy of your passport will be taken at check-in to do the registration.
Not all hotels are permitted to accommodate foreign visitors, but, three-, four-, and five-star hotels certainly can. Chain hotels in the one- and two-star bracket might also accept foreigners.
Hotels in China usually ask for a safety deposit. Larger hotels will reserve an amount on your credit card while smaller hotels will ask for a cash deposit. Make sure to keep your receipt for the cash deposit in order to recover the deposit at the time of checkout.
Hotel Reservation
China hotels can be easily reserved by phone, fax, or through the Internet for the higher rated hotels. However, hotels of less than three stars may not have staff with good English-speaking skills and this might make phone or e-mail reservations difficult or unreliable.
Many online platforms, travel agencies, tourism, and transportation companies also offer good China hotel reservation services, which may be easier and offer greater insurance/flexibility than booking with a hotel directly.
- Trip.com is the most commonly used online hotel portal in China. It has a wide selection of hotels in large cities as well as smaller areas. However, some hotels listed on the site do not accomodate foreigners. It is best to book beforehand and get a confirmation.
- Booking.com is a popular online portal but its selection of hotels in China is comparatively limited.
- Agoda.com is also widely used and it boasts of offering the cheapest rates.
Pricing of Hotels
Prices of hotels vary widely, but price alone is not a guarantee for quality. Prices also vary from city to city with eastern China being far more expensive than western China. The same is true for Tier 1 cities, being much more expensive than Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Note, even within a major city, a more expensive hotel is not necessarily the best.
The high season, with the highest non-holiday rates, is from April to October. The low season (November–March) has the lowest rates, apart from around Chinese New Year.
Holiday Seasons
A hotel room in a mountain area in China.The busiest times of the year are around these public holidays: Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, the first week of October, and the first week of May. Hotel rates can be much higher during these days. All public transport and public areas are quite crowded during this time, so if you don't want to be caught in the rush in sight-seeing areas, it is also better to avoid these days.
Minority and Mountain Areas
Minority areas (Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Tibet, etc.) and mountain areas (Zhangjiajie, the Yellow Mountains, etc.) have unique characteristics that make these places worth visiting. However, accommodation and meals in these areas are comparatively simple. Tourists should be mentally prepared for this and lower expectations.
We recommend that you opt for the best available hotels and restaurants in these areas to optimize your experience.
Facilities in China Hotels
Shangri-la Hotel Guilin is a 5-star hotel in Guilin.Facilities in China's hotels are usually according to the rating of the hotel. China hotel star ratings give us an idea of what to expect. However, star ratings do not always accurately predict the facilities available in China, so additional research should be done to discover the actual situation.
A rough idea of the facilities available in China hotels can be had from the following:
Room Facilities
All (star-rated) rooms are air-conditioned, have free Wi-Fi and a flat screen TV. Three-star and above hotels usually have satellite channels as well.
Lighting in China hotels is often dimmer than Westerners are used to. Bringing a small flashlight or small lighted mirror would be helpful to women trying to put on make-up.
Bathrooms
Hotels generally have Western toilets, though it might not be so in the far-flung remote areas. One-star hotels usually have shared bathrooms, but two-star and above have private bathrooms with free toiletries, hair dryer, shower, and hot and cold water.
Wellness Facilities
Fitness centers, spa and wellness centers, as well as massage and sauna facilities are usually available in the higher-rated hotels (four-star and above).
Recreation
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a playing area for kids, mahjong/snooker/chess rooms are available in many higher rated hotels.
Dining
One- and two-star hotels are usually situated in convenient locations close to restaurants. Three-star hotels have a minibar and in-house restaurant, though it may only provide local cuisine. Four-star and above have both local and Western cuisine, at least one bar and restaurant, and room service.
Business Facilities
A business center, fax/photocopying, and meeting/banquet facilities are available in many higher rated hotels.
Electricity
Mainland China provides a 220-volt 50-Hz power supply, so electric appliances from countries that use 220/240 volts will operate without any adapter. Appliances requiring 110 volts will need an adapter to operate. Hotels will not always have these.
Also be aware that Mainland China uses two and three flat-pin sockets.
We recommend that you bring an adapter with you, for convenience, though some hotels may be able to lend adapters. See more on China Power Supply and Adapters – How to Prepare Your Electrical Devices.
Services Offered in Hotels
Hotels in China generally provide the following services:
The reception desk at a 5-star hotel in GuilinReception
Almost all hotels have a 24-hour front desk with luggage storage and wakeup call facility. Higher rated hotels also have currency exchange and ATM service in the foyer.
Communication in English
- In four- and five-star hotels, some of the staff members speak reasonable or good English.
- In three-star hotels, the staff at the reception desk can be relied upon to know some basic English.
- In one- and two-star hotels, the staff might not know English at all, and translators may be needed for communication.
Hotel Security
Although hotels in China are reasonably secure places, it is advisable not to leave money or valuables around in the room. It is better to take them with you or leave them at the reception or in a safe in the room.
Checking In and Out
One should also keep in mind the check in and check out time, which is after 2 pm and before noon respectively. Extra cost will be charged if you check in before 6 am.
Transportation
Hotels are usually located within reach of public transport. Higher rated hotels offer car rentals, airport pickup, taxi booking and valet parking.
Cleaning Services
Rooms are cleaned daily. Laundry service is available in all hotels. Higher rated hotels also have ironing, shoe polishing, and dry-cleaning services at an extra cost.
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