A Traveler’s Guide to Finding and Choosing Good Hotels in China

Hotels in China range from basic hostels to luxurious five-star hotels. There are literally thousands of them scattered all throughout China.

For first time travelers to China, finding and choosing good hotels in China can be stressful if you don’t know what to look for. What can you do to make sure that you’re choosing a hotel that matches your level of comfort and budget?  This guide will tell you everything you need to know about finding and booking quality hotels and we should know as we do this for all the different china tour packages that we at ChinaTours.com offer.

Hotels in China

Hotels in China have different standards

Although most hotels in China are fine by Chinese standards, some of them leave much to be desired by international standards. That’s because, in China, the criteria for hotel ratings are different from the ones in Western countries.

In addition, Chinese customer ratings can be slightly misleading, due to the concept of face. Chinese people are more likely to give a hotel a good rating, and avoid complaining even if their stay didn’t meet their expectations. Make sure to read more than just a handful of customer reviews, and check out the different reviews on commercial websites, such as TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

Hotel price alone is also not a guarantee for quality in China. Hotel prices vary from hotel to hotel, and from city to city. You may end up paying the same for a 5-star hotel in Guilin as a 3-star hotel in Beijing. Even within major cities, more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better.

When deciding on which to hotel choose in China, look beyond just the price and rating, and consider the facilities, the luxury (or lack thereof), and location. Do some research before making a final decision, or contact an expert tour operator to help you find the hotel you’re looking for.

Tip – If you look at one of our China tours for the area you are planning to visit, such as our Beijing tours, Chengdu tours or Shanghai tours, for example, you will be able to see the hotels that we have carefully selected in these different areas.

Facilities in hotels in China

Most three-star and above hotels in China offer comfort and quality facilities that’ll make your stay as pleasant as possible. In general, three-star and above rooms in China are air-conditioned, have free WiFi, a minibar, a kettle, and a flat screen tv with satellite channels (including CNN, BBC, and more). Not a smoker? Most hotels offer non-smoking rooms. Let your travel agency know in advance to ensure availability.

In China, it’s considered healthy to sleep on a hard bed, so hotel beds in China may not be as soft as your own. If this is the case, do not hesitate to ask reception for more blankets to ensure a better night’s sleep.

You will have a private bathroom in most three-star and above hotels, including free toiletries, a hair dryer, and a hot shower. Generally, you will have a Western toilet in your private bathroom, though don’t be surprised if that’s not the case in remote areas.

Fancy a bite to eat? Most three-star hotels have an in-house restaurant serving local Chinese cuisine, while higher-rated hotels (four-star and above) serve both local and Western cuisine. Higher-rated hotels usually have at least one bar, one restaurant, and room service.

Looking to get pampered during your stay? Book a higher-rated hotel with extra facilities, such as swimming pools, playing areas, fitness centers, spa and wellness centers, as well as massage and sauna facilities.

Higher-rated hotels in China are also the perfect place for a business meeting. Generally, hotel meeting rooms include multimedia services, translation services, courier services, and a host to make your business meeting run as smooth and efficient as possible.

China provides a 220-volt, 50-Hz power supply, thus appliances requiring 110-volt will need an adapter. Some higher-rated hotels will provide these for free.

Please note, tap water in China is not drinkable. Most hotels offer one or two bottles of water per room for free, otherwise, you can purchase bottled water for a very small price ($0.25-$0.75 per bottle).

Five-star hotels in China

Live the lifestyle of the rich and the famous in China’s extravagant five-star hotels. Nowadays, five-star hotels in China have large rooms with a cutting-edge interior, luxurious amenities, and expert services, such as butler service, a concierge, and transportation options ranging from airport pickup to limousine service.

Notable five-star hotels in China are the Regent Hotel in Beijing, Hyatt on the Bund in Shanghai, Shangri-La Hotel in Guilin, and Sofitel in Chengdu. ChinaTours.com is very selective about the hotel partners we use for our tours. In fact, ChinaTours.com founder, Mr. Li personally visits and meets with hotel owners and managers to ensure the quality standards fit with the company’s commitment to delivering a memorable travel experience.

Four-star hotels in China

Four-star hotels in China are designed for your comfort and luxury. These hotels come with exclusive services, such as concierge service, luggage storage, currency exchange, ironing, and dry-cleaning facilities, a tour desk with ticket services, and transportation services.

Recommended four-star hotels in China are the Novotel Peace Hotel in Beijing and the Grand Mercure on Renmin Square in Xi’an.

Three-star hotels in China

Three-star hotels in China are the ideal pick for those who want a comfortable stay, without breaking the bank. These hotels are usually conveniently located near tourist attractions and business areas.

A good three-star hotel in China is the King Parkview Hotel in Beijing.

Guarantee your stay, book in advance

Hotels in China can be easily booked online, via telephone, or via fax. Keep in mind, not all hotel staff members speak English, or their English skills may be very basic, which may turn booking via phone or email into a bit of a challenge. There are many online booking platforms and travel agencies out there, ready to make your booking experience a lot easier. If you think you might need help, be sure to work with a travel consultant who knows how to look after Western travelers.

Hotel reservations in China can be made from several months in advance to just a few hours before arrival. However, it’s strongly recommended to book your hotel as early as possible to guarantee your stay, especially during high season (April to October) and on national holidays, such as May Day Holiday, National Day Holiday, New Year’s Day, and Spring Festival.

ChinaTours.com will look after your hotel bookings

If you’re after a comfortable and luxurious stay, it’s worth considering a pre-arranged tour with an experienced tour operator. ChinaTours.com has got you covered with some of China’s best hotels included in our China tour packages.

First-time travelers to China will love the ChinaTours.com approach to organizing, planning, and taking a tour with us. With a deep understanding of what Western travelers need, we provide flexible travel schedules that allow ample time for exploring and enjoying an experience of real China. With centrally located four and five star hotel accommodation, experienced and friendly local guides, and your safety our priority, we make travel in China the enriching and memorable experience it should be. Talk to us now about designing your ideal custom tour.