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The
Harbor Plaza Hotel
Recently renamed to the Rosedale, this hotel is located
between the airport and central Beijing. |
Hotels
in China
Ah
yes, the oasis in the middle of so much confusion. The place
where you can kick off your shoes, take a nice shower, and
relax.... But how do you get to one? Easy. Look online.
Many hotels in China are Western, that is, English-speaking
staff, Western cuisine, Western standards, and many times,
Western prices. Don't let the pricing scare you, some hotels
offer quality for not much money. The most common hotels
that are known the world over are the Holiday Inn, Sheraton,
Shangri-la, Swissotel, Hyatt Regency, and the Ramada, to
name a few. Tipping in hotels is not common or expected.
Many have business centers where you can used the telephone,
Internet, and fax. Be aware that these transmissions are
closely monitored, meaning sometimes people will stand behind
you and watch or monitor you from another computer. Any
confidential business transmissions should be made before
going to China or on your own connections from your room,
especially when it concerns bidding or intellectual property.
Remember, your room phones are also monitored.
Chinese
hotels generally cost less than Western ones, though not
always. There are less services and more scrutiny. However,
many Chinese hotel staff speak English and can help you
with your bags. Some rooms can be surprisingly spacious
and clean for the money you pay, and many have good views.
Some hotels do not accept foreigners as they are for Chinese
government officials and soldiers.
Credit
Cards
Generally, stay away from using credit cards unless you
are at a major hotel. Bring enough Chinese money with you
to pay for the room. Credit card fraud is bad enough in
Western countries, in China it is even worse.
Checking
In
When checking in, you will be asked for your passport and
you will be asked to fill out a form with your name, passport
number and address. This form is required by government
to keep track of all foreigners in the country and will
be submitted to the local police for records. They do not
use them for anything else.
Once
in your room
Make sure it is clean and that you have all proper supplies.
You can expect a bed, bedding, towels, wash cloths, a TV,
glasses, shower shoes, toothpaste, toothbrush, a water heater
to make tea or coffee. In some Chinese hotel rooms, you
need the key in order to turn on the light. There is a small
pocket near the light switches where you can put your key.
Some rooms have a small fridge with drinks and snacks. Most
likely, you will be charged if you eat and drink them. You
can get more at the front desk.
Leaving
your room to go out
Make sure you take your valuables and lock all of your luggage.
Especially if you stay at a Chinese hotel, sometimes nosy
or curious Chinese staff will go through your stuff. Take
it from someone who has caught someone doing it. It isn't
fun.
Checking
out
Make sure you have everything! Settle your final bill,
turn in your key and your set!
