China Hotel Facility Usage Guide

Essential Tips for Business Travelers to China. This article describes the actual situation in Chinese hotels. For example, the type of electrical outlets, how the air conditioner operates, differences in the hours of hot water supply, including the services and charges of the business center, and the opening hours of the gym.

1. In-Room Amenities

1.1 Power Outlets

• Socket Types: Standard Chinese outlets are Type A (flat three-pin) and Type I (combined five-pin). While some international sockets may be available in foreign-friendly hotels, always carry a travel adapter to avoid inconvenience.
• Usage Notes:
  • Match the wattage of your devices to prevent circuit overload.
  • Some outlets require inserting the room key card to activate power (energy-saving design).

Business Tip: Use a multi-port USB charger to charge multiple devices simultaneously.

1.2 Air Conditioning

• Operation: Most hotels use a remote control. Adjust settings as follows:
  • Mode: Switch between Cool (制冷), Heat (制热), and Fan (通风).
  • Temperature: Use the “+” and “-” buttons to set your preferred temperature.
• Precautions:
  • Set the air conditioner to 26°C in summer for energy efficiency and comfort.
  • Allow 15–20 minutes for the heating system to warm up during winter.

1.3 Hot Water Supply

• Availability:
  • Budget hotels may offer limited hot water hours (e.g., 20:00–02:00).
  • Luxury hotels typically provide 24-hour hot water.
• Temperature Control:
  • Hot water taps are marked with a red indicator, and cold water with a blue indicator.
  • Adjust the faucet slowly to avoid scalding.

1.4 Safe Box

• How to Use:
  1. Open the safe, press the “SET” button.
  2. Enter a 6-digit password and confirm it.
  3. Store your valuables and close the door—the password will activate automatically.
• Password Management:
  • Use a memorable code (e.g., your birthday).
  • Always retrieve your items and clear the password before checkout.

2. Public Area Facilities

2.1 Fitness Center

• Hours: Most fitness centers operate 6:00–22:00, while some luxury hotels offer 24-hour access.
• Equipment Use:
  • Request instructions from the front desk for unfamiliar machines (e.g., treadmills, ellipticals).
  • Wipe down equipment after use to maintain cleanliness.

2.2 Swimming Pool

• Safety & Rules:
  • Pool water quality complies with Chinese health standards (chlorine levels: 0.3–4mg/L).
  • Bring your own swimwear and accessories; rentals may be available for a fee.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Diving and rough play are strictly prohibited.

2.3 Business Center

• Services Offered:
  • Printing, copying, faxing.
  • Email access, meeting room rentals.
• Pricing:
  • Printing/copying: ¥0.5–2 per black-and-white page, ¥2–10 per color page.
  • Meeting rooms: ¥200–2000 per hour, depending on size and amenities.

3. Dining Facilities

3.1 Buffet Breakfast

• Hours: Typically 6:30–10:00, with extended hours (e.g., 10:30) on weekends. Some hotels offer “Early Bird Breakfast” (6:00–7:00).
• Cuisine:
  • Chinese options: Steamed buns (包子), fried dough sticks (油条), congee (粥).
  • Western options: Bread, eggs, coffee, and pastries.
• Etiquette:
  • Take only what you can consume to avoid waste.
  • Inquire about “Takeaway Breakfast” if you need to eat on the go.

3.2 Hotel Restaurant

• Booking:
  • Reserve 1–2 days in advance, especially for popular restaurants.
  • Specify the number of guests, preferred time, and dietary restrictions (e.g., vegetarian).
• Payment:
  • Accepted methods include cash, credit cards, and mobile payments (WeChat Pay/Alipay).

4. Common Issue Resolution

1. Facility Malfunctions:
   • Contact the front desk immediately (dial “0”).
   • Clearly state your room number and the issue (e.g., “The air conditioning in Room 808 is not cooling”).
2. Billing Disputes:
   • Review the bill carefully and politely inquire about unclear charges (e.g., “Could you explain what this ¥50 charge is for?”).
   • If there’s an error, request a correction: “There seems to be a mistake in the billing. Would you please verify it?”

Final Checklist ✅

• ✔️ Confirmed power adapter compatibility.
• ✔️ Adjusted air conditioning settings appropriately.
• ✔️ Memorized or recorded the safe box password.
• ✔️ Reviewed business center fees and services.

For complex equipment issues, politely ask hotel staff for assistance. Familiarize yourself with emergency procedures (e.g., fire exits) upon check-in for a smooth stay.