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When traveling, accommodation can significantly impact your experience. A bad place to stay can really detract from your trip. But in an unfamiliar country, how do you choose a good hotel within your budget?
With the overwhelming amount of online marketing information, many scammers use fake promotions to gain customers' trust, leading to unpleasant travel experiences. So, how do you find a reliable hotel when traveling in China? This article will guide you.
Types of Accommodation in China
International Hotel Chains
All major international hotel groups have operations in China. Their loyalty points are globally accepted, so if you have a preferred membership, you can choose a brand you're familiar with.
Privately Operated Chinese Hotel Chains (Reliable Options)
For mid-range hotels, we recommend Ji Hotel, known for its convenient locations and comfortable rooms.
For budget hotels, Hanting is affordable, clean, and hygienic.
Young travelers may prefer CiTiGO hotel, which offers social spaces.
For luxury stays, Song Hotel is recommended, featuring a design inspired by the aesthetics of China's Song Dynasty.
State-Owned Hotel Brands (Worth Trying)
- Guesthouses for State Officials
These are hotels where Chinese government officials typically stay, mainly used for high-level government receptions and events. They are often located in city centers, with beautiful surroundings and a rich history, having hosted many historical figures. Originally reserved for government use, these hotels now operate commercially and are open to the public. Ordinary citizens can even book them for weddings.
If you're interested, you can try staying at one of these guesthouses, which can be booked through OTA platforms or directly via their official websites. It offers a unique cultural experience and a glimpse into the "mysterious Chinese politics" as seen by foreigners. Examples include Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Hangzhou's West Lake State Guesthouse, and Chongqing's Yuzhou State Guesthouse.
- Jin Jiang International Hotel Group
A state-owned enterprise under the Shanghai Municipal Government, it operates brands like Jinjiang Inn, 7 Days Inn, and Vienna Hotel. These budget brands are affordable and well-managed, making it less likely you'll be scammed.
Radisson Hotels is their high-end brand, and they also own several famous historical hotels worldwide, such as The Peace Hotel and The Park Hotel Shanghai.
- BTG Homeinns Hotels Group:
A state-owned enterprise under the Beijing Municipal Government, Homeinns is a very popular budget brand in China, known for its affordability. Choosing them ensures you won’t be deceived.
Independent Hotels
In smaller cities, you may find some local luxury hotels that, while not part of a chain, meet high hardware standards. You can refer to their star ratings—hotels with four or five stars generally won’t disappoint (though star ratings in China aren't as reliable as they once were, a four or five-star hotel is usually a safe bet).
Please notice that while these hotels may meet five-star hardware standards, their service and management might not be up to par, especially in smaller towns or county-level cities.
Boutique Hotels
These hotels often have strong personal features and are known for unique scenery like hot springs or city views.
However, beware of potential scams. These hotels may boast excellent city views and great photo opportunities, but their cleanliness and service might not be up to standard.
When booking these hotels, pay close attention to reviews on the platform.
Mixed-Bag Hotels
On OTA platforms, besides the above types of accommodations, you'll find many other hotels. We recommend booking chain hotels. The hotel groups we recommend above also have many budget brands.
If chain hotels aren’t available, be sure to focus on guest reviews on the OTA platform and don’t be deceived by overly beautified photos.
Homestays
Airbnb has exited the Chinese market due to competition. The homestay industry in China is currently mixed in quality.
If you want to stay in a homestay, you can search for the homestay category on Trip.com. It categorizes homestays into three levels: Top Luxury 5-star Hotels, Budget-friendly Hotels Worldwide, and Trending Guest Houses Worldwide.
Avoid choosing homestays outside these three categories. The platform’s certification can help you avoid bad experiences.
Youth Hostels
It’s advisable to choose youth hostels affiliated with YHA, as they provide a good atmosphere for socializing and English-speaking staff. Other youth hostels can be great too, but be sure to carefully evaluate them.
How to Identify Scammers in Hotel Marketing
Prioritize chain hotels with recognized brands, and secondly, choose hotels with star ratings.
Boutique hotels and homestays are hotspots for scams. Be vigilant and read reviews carefully.
Beware of Instagram-style filtered photos; they are often the result of paid marketing efforts.
If reviews all have the same wording, they might be fake. Pay close attention to the negative and mixed reviews.
Check-in Process
- Check-in
Upon arrival, inform the front desk that you want to check in.
- Provide Passports
Present the passports of all guests, along with the name and phone number of the person who made the reservation.
- Registration
The front desk will copy your passport information and register it in the government system (China’s accommodation industry operates on a real-name basis).
- Receive Room Key
After registration, you will receive your room key and breakfast vouchers (if your booking includes breakfast). Newer chain hotels often have guest information embedded in the room key, so you may only need to present the key at breakfast. However, some hotels still use breakfast vouchers.
- Deposit
Most hotels no longer require a deposit, but some remote or non-chain hotels might still ask for one.
Check-out Process
- Check-out
Hand your room key to the front desk to complete the check-out process.
- Deposit Return
If you paid a deposit, the hotel will have housekeeping inspect the room for damages before returning the deposit.
Potential Issues You Might Encounter
Hotel Refusal to Accommodate Foreigners
20 years ago, Chinese hotels required a special license to accommodate foreigners, but this regulation has been abolished.
Some hotels, due to language barriers or the hassle of passport registration, claim they lack the necessary qualifications to accommodate foreigners.
If this happens, firmly inform the front desk that the Chinese government has abolished this regulation, and they are required to accommodate foreigners. If they refuse, tell them you will file a complaint with the relevant authorities. You can call 12367 to lodge a complaint.
Passport Registration Issues
Chinese guests can simply swipe their ID card to complete real-name registration.
For foreign passports, the front desk must manually enter the passport number and upload a copy. Some hotels, due to infrequent foreign guests, may have inexperienced staff.
If there’s an issue with real-name registration, such as incorrect passport information input, the police may contact the hotel or you to clarify the situation. If this happens, don’t panic—it’s likely just an input error at the front desk, not a violation of local laws.
In-Room Purchases
Most hotels provide two complimentary bottles of purified water in the room. If you need more, you can ask the front desk.
Other items, like snacks or soda, are likely chargeable and may be priced higher than average. Be sure to check the labels and prices on these items.
