Tag: China

When you think of Oriental hospitality, charming ethnic culture and folklore, the most impressive structures ever built and an irresistible cuisine that combines the exotic and the familiar, China is the country that usually springs into mind.

With major international events such as the Beijing Olympics and the Shanghai World Expo drawing in huge crowds of visitors, you can be assured that hotels in China are continuously improving on their standards to deliver you with an experience that you would remember fondly long after you have left the country. With a mind-boggling selection of accommodation to cater to your specific taste and budget, you can be sure to find a hotel with the amenities and services you seek.

To top it off, the warm and gracious hospitality delivered by these hotels will impress you so much that you will be reluctant to return home.

Comfortable accommodation for all budgets

When you arrive in China as a new visitor, you may be wondering about what the countrys accommodation is really like. After all, your hotel should be your home away from home. Here is some information that would enlighten you. For a simple, basic and affordable choice of accommodation, the one- to two-star hotels will be more than sufficient in providing a comfortable nights rest, with the two-star hotels even offering extras such as on-site barber shops, drugstores and post offices.

Are you a business or tech-savvy traveler visiting one of Chinas major cities on a tight budget? Your needs will be well taken of by the rapidly-proliferating budget hotel chains that offer all the conveniences that you would need for connectivity on the go free Internet access, several electrical outlets which let you charge mobile devices, and even universal plug adapters which means that you do not have to bring your own.

Willing to splash out more for more comfort, conveniences and luxury? The hotels rated three-star and above will do a good job in delivering the quality, amenities and services that you would expect back home. These include boilers for boiling water in the rooms, business facilities and services, function rooms and halls, concierge and delivery services, as well as a choice of Western or Chinese cuisine served in the hotels restaurants.

Rapidly improving English standards in hotels

As China is rapidly modernizing, the standards of English language among hotel staff have also been rapidly improving to accommodate foreign guests. Step into any five-star hotel and you would be impressed by the staffs competent command of the language and eagerness to be of service to you. Similarly, the cheaper hotels also have staff and receptionists who are at least conversant in English so that they can understand you and meet your needs. Nonetheless, it does not hurt to bring a Chinese phrasebook to facilitate conversation and communication.

Drinking water

Quenching your thirst in your hotel room is easy, even though the tap water is usually not drinkable. How is this so? Well, you can find flasks of hot water or an electrical boiler for you to boil water yourself in your room. Buying mineral bottle for a cheap price to satisfy your drinking needs is not a bad idea either, sometimes you can even find free bottled water in your room.

Some other useful pointers

Do not forget to have your passport handy when checking into your hotel, as you will be required to show an ID before you can check in. Getting lost outside your hotel should also be the least of your concerns if you bring along the room keycard as this contains the vital information you would need to ask for directions back to your hotel.

China is a destination that never ceases to fascinate its numerous visitors who are looking for uniquely different experiences. The Oriental charm, vibrant nightlife, interesting folklore, awe-inspiring architecture and yummy gourmet selections are just some of the reasons why many visitors find the “Middle Kingdom” such an alluring place.

The memorable experiences of these visitors are also in no small part attributable to the rapidly-improving hotel industry in the country that constantly seeks to reinvent itself to meet the high standards expected by their guests. In this country, you can expect to find a plethora of clean and safe accommodation options including luxury hotels, inns and guesthouses that suits every budget and taste, regardless of which town or city you visit.

Whichever price category your accommodation fits in, you can expect only the very best in Asian warmth and hospitality during your stay in hotels in China.

From budget to luxury a huge choice of accommodation options at your disposal

The accommodation options in China are as diverse as the country itself, but they have one goal in common to provide a comfortable and pleasant stay to all guests regardless of their star rating. If you are on a shoestring budget, the one- to two-star hotels will not disappoint in providing a relaxing place for you to rest in between your travels. The two-star hotels even have barber shops and stores on site.

In many large cities, the budget hotel chains even go one step further in providing a host of in-room amenities, such as free Internet connectivity and plugs that come with universal adapters that are useful for business executives or tech-savvy travelers. Hence, you may be surprised by what these budget hotels offer that would allow them to stay ahead of their competition by being more in touch with their guests needs.

What about the hotels that are rated three-star and above? In China, the good news is these hotels are comparable in standards and offerings to what you can expect in the West. Concierge services, on-site health, business and conference facilities, bars and a range of restaurants catering to both Western and Chinese palettes you name it, they have it.

Abundance in English-speaking hotel staff

Being a country that is eager to accommodate non-Chinese-speaking foreign visitors, you will be amazed at the quickly-improving command of the language by the staff of many of the hotels. This is especially so with 5 star hotels where the staff are mostly competent in the language, while the cheaper hotels at least have front desk personnel who are able to understand your request and queries, and communicate with you in basic English. However, to be on the safe side, a Chinese phrasebook might be useful to bring along just in case you might need it.

Drinking water in your hotel rooms

Before you turn on your bathroom tap to drink, do be aware that it is generally not advisable to drink tap water in the hotel. You need not worry though, as you are likely to find hot water flasks or electrical boilers at your disposal in your room. You may also want to consider purchasing cheap bottled mineral water, some of which may be provided free of charge in your hotel room.

Some other helpful information

Do note that showing a photo ID, such as your passport, is required when checking into your hotels. Worried about getting lost while wandering outside your hotel? Do not fear, as your hotel room card would contain all the information that is needed to ask for directions and guide you back to your hotel. Hence do remember to bring it with you wherever you go.