Accommodation and Hotels in China

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Accommodation and Hotels in China

Accommodation in China is generally convenient. It is not difficult to find a hotel to stay while travelling in China.

Hotels range in terms of variety from star-rated hotels, inexpensive hostels, local guesthouses to roadside inns. Besides standard comfortable star-rated hotels, hostels or inns in typical Chinese or local features are not in shortage, either.

Apart from the domestically-run hotels, chain hotels of international brand, especially in highly developed or tourist cities, are a lot. You may find Sheraton, Shangri-la, Hilton, Hyatt, Holiday Inn, Four Season and so on.

By the end of 2000, there are 6029 hotels catering to foreigners in China. 1,899 hotels listed as three star, 352 as four star, and 117 as five star, as established by international standards, are available in such major cities as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, and Guangzhou. They all offer international standards of service.

The three star and above rooms are air-conditioned, equipped with TV, refrigerator and private bathroom. Other function halls, ballrooms, swimming pools, bowling courts, laundries, beauty parlors, massage rooms, saunas, steam baths, gymnasiums and medical services are available. Some of the hotels even have shopping mall, business center, bank and post office.

These hotels also provide ticket-booking services for visitors free of charge. The managers and employees have received training in the international standards of service and most have studied English or Japanese to assist them in providing first class service to their guests.

In some small cities or remote areas, there may not be luxurious hotels, but there are normally many safe hotels that offer clean and comfortable rooms. The services at these hotels is good, but not as same standard as found in a four or five star hotel.

Reservations can be conveniently made around the clock at all Chinese hotels open to foreigners by telephone from your home or through your travel agent.

Price is not a good guide to quality. Eastern China, for instance, is far more expensive than western China. Large cities are more expensive than small cities. Tourist cities are more expensive than non-tourist cities. Despite the above, holidays are more expensive than normal days.

The hotel rooms include two types: room (kefang) and suite (taojian)

Room: Contains shower / bath and lavatory within the room. The rate is rather affordable.

• Single Room - Room designed for only one person.
• Double Room - Room containing one large double bed.
• Twin Room - Room with two single beds.
• Triple Room - Room containing a double bed and a single bed.

Suite: Usually located at the higher floors, a suite is subdivided into several types as follows:

• Standard Suite: Also named junior suite or family suite. It contains a drawing room, a bedroom, a shower / bath, a lavatory and comfortable furniture.
• Executive Suite: It usually contains a spacious bedroom with two king-size beds, an elegant living room, and a large bathroom with additional facilities such as a whirlpool bath and a guest toilet. Its space is two times that of a standard suite.
• Deluxe Suite: Besides those facilities mentioned in the standard suit, each deluxe suite also has a kitchenette, a dining room, a study, a lounge room and a veranda.
• President Suite: Usually of seven or eight rooms, it can include the following: president bedroom, first-lady bedroom, a shower / bath, two lavatories, a parlor, boardroom, guard's station, study, kitchenette, a dining room and a room for receiving retinue. Usually, it is the best accommodation in a hotel.

Disabled Guest Room: Room designed to be disabled-friendly.

Connecting Room: Connecting rooms are made up of two or more separate but adjoining rooms, which are connected to each other by a door.

More China Travel Tips:
Bargaining Tips
Clothing
Chinese Currency
Embassy
Dealing With Emergency
Etiquette
Chinese Food
Health
Money Issues
Safety
Shopping in China
Tipping Practice
Transportation
Visa Application