What Every Family Should Know About Booking Hotels in China!

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Travelling to China can be an exciting experience for families. China is somewhat exotic and a little unknown all at the same time. It is not the easiest place to travel in reality, but it is certainly doable for families. One of the biggest issues families have when travelling is getting the accommodation right.

In China, booking accommodation can come with its own set of unique challenges that you may not face anywhere else. Whether you’re planning a family vacation or, like us, making regular visits to China, finding the right accommodation can make or break your family’s experience.

How to Book the Right Hotel in China

This guide shares real-world insights from numerous trips to China and staying in hotels with children in tow. In this article, we will hold your hand and walk you through some of these issues.

1. Language Barriers when Booking Hotels in China

  • Booking Platforms: Many of the well-known Western booking sites such as Booking.com, Expedia and more don’t have a large amount of listings for China. The best site to use is Trip.com, which is based in China. We have used to book hotels, flights and trains in China with no issues.
checking out of a hotel in Beijing China
Checking into SunWorld Wangfujing Hotel in Beijing
  • Communication with Hotels: Even if the booking is successful, communicating with hotel staff who may not speak English can be challenging, especially when requesting specific amenities or services. When visiting Beijing, Shanghai and other big cities this will not be as problematic. Trying to contact the hotel pre-visit can make it hard to get hold of them by email, and sometimes you may have to contact them through your booking app, which is not always possible.

2. Different Standards and Expectations

  • Bed Configurations: Families may find it difficult to book rooms with the right bed configurations (e.g., family rooms, adjoining rooms, or rooms with multiple beds).
  • Amenities: Some hotels may not offer amenities that families are accustomed to, such as cribs, high chairs, or child-friendly facilities. Bring a Kindle, tablet or an Amazon Firestick as you may find your hotel has no English channels on TV. Don’t assume anything when it comes to China. Remember it is not your country and your Western expectations mean nothing here.

3. Visa Requirements for China

  • Proof of Accommodation: Some families need to provide proof of accommodation when applying for a Chinese visa, which can be a hassle if they prefer to book accommodations upon arrival. One way to get around this is to book a hotel with free cancellation through booking sites such as TripAdvisor or Agoda. That way you can supply an address and still change it afterwards.

4. Can I pay with my Visa card?

  • International Cards: Not all hotels or booking platforms accept international credit cards, which can be a problem for foreign travellers. Before you arrive in China, make sure you are set up with WeChat Pay or Alipay. If you are staying at a Western brand hotel such as Holiday Inn or Mercure etc, you can use Western credit cards.
a flash hotel room at TRYP by Wyndham in Xian China
There was no issue paying by Visa when we stayed at TRYP by Wyndham in China
  • Deposits: Some hotels may require a deposit upon check-in, which can be an unexpected expense for families. The deposit will be refunded when you leave.

5. Cultural Differences

  • Smoking Rooms: In China, smoking is more prevalent, and some hotels may not have strict non-smoking policies, which can be an issue for families with children. Often when looking at a hotel websites like Trip.com will list if the room is smoking or non-smoking. However, we have stayed in non-smoking rooms that have had the smell of cigarettes in them.
Eating breakfast at a hostel in Xian booking hotels in China
We stayed at the Alley Youth Hostel in Xian
  • Food Options: Western-style breakfasts or child-friendly meals may not always be available, which can be a concern for families with picky eaters. We have stayed at Holiday Inn Express on occasions in China, which has had a good mixture of Western and local food on the breakfast menu. It may pay to bring some snacks from home, but in reality, there are a lot of Western-style supermarkets such as Carrefour that operate in China where you can buy food.

Please read our article on the best tips for independent travel in China in 2025

6. Location and Accessibility

  • Proximity to Attractions: Families may find it challenging to find accommodations conveniently located near major attractions, public transportation, or family-friendly activities. This requires you to research the places you are visiting and know where things are located to help you choose a hotel in an area that suits you.
standing out front of the entrance to the Giant Panda breeding centre
Visiting the Giant Pandas in Chengdu
  • Accessibility: Some hotels may not be equipped with ramps, making it difficult for families with strollers or elderly members.

7. Online Reviews and Reliability

  • Inconsistent Reviews: Online reviews on booking platforms may not always be reliable or maybe in Chinese, making it hard for foreigners to gauge the quality of the accommodation. When reading hotel reviews, consider that the person writing them may have different standards than you.

8. Seasonal Pricing and Availability of hotels in China

  • Peak Seasons: During Chinese holidays (e.g., Chinese New Year, Golden Week), accommodations can be extremely expensive and hard to book. The 7 major Chinese holiday periods to avoid are New Year’s Day, Spring Festival/Chinese New Year, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and National Day.
  • Last-Minute Bookings: Families who prefer to book last minute may find it difficult to secure suitable accommodations, especially in popular tourist areas. We suggest booking well in advance, which allows communication with the hotel if needed for your requirements.

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9. Health and Safety Concerns for families in China

  • Safety Standards: Some hotels may not meet the expectations of foreign families regarding safety standards, particularly child safety (e.g., window guards, pool safety). Be aware and take care of your kids when travelling
  • Air Quality: Cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an experience poor air quality. Enquire about air purifiers in the rooms and maybe buy some masks for outside as exposure to air pollution can lead to a nasty cough.

10. Cultural Etiquette and Policies

  • Check-In/Check-Out Times: Chinese hotels may have different check-in and check-out times than what you’re used to. We found that checkout times in China are later than in Western countries.
  • Staff: Service may feel slower than in Western hotels. Avoid showing frustration. Remember you are in their country and it is up to you to adjust, not the other way around.
  • Noise Levels: Chinese hotels can sometimes be noisy. Let’s be honest, Chinese people can be noisy, which might be an issue for families with young children.

Tips for Families:

  • Use International Booking Platforms: Platforms like Trip.com Booking.com, or Trivago often have English interfaces and customer service, making it easier for foreign families to book accommodations.
  • You know brands like Marriott, Hilton and IHG, which have a large number of hotels in China. Staying with these brands will provide with a feel of comfort that comes with familiarity.
  • Research Thoroughly: Look for family-friendly hotels with good reviews from other international travellers.
  • Contact Hotels Directly: If possible, contact the hotel directly to confirm amenities, room configurations, and any special requests.
  • Social Media: There are several Facebook Groups about travelling in China. We recommend you join one for recommendations from other travellers. YouTube can also be a great source of visual information with travellers making video reviews of hotels.

We hope this information from us here at Wyld Family Travel will help families have a smoother experience when booking accommodations in China. Our teenage daughter lives in China, so we go back and forth to China regularly. Planning travel in China is certainly possible by spending some time researching your trip.

Our family visiting Qingdao in China

We hope our articles help you plan your Chinese vacation, but if you need help, Wyld Family Travel offers travel planning and consultation services. Just reach out to us at mark.wyld@wyldfamilytravel.com or bec.wyld@wyldfamilytravel.com