Over 5,200 hotels in China accommodate foreign visitors, with a total of 700,000 guest rooms and 1.41 million beds. These hotels are rated according to established international star-rating standards. By the end of 1997, there were 2,724 star-rated hotels in the country, including 57 five-star hotels, 157 four-star hotels, 895 three-star hotels, 1,339 two-star hotels and 276 one-star hotels. In other words, more than half of China's hotels open to foreigners have been star rated.
Hotels in Major Tourism Cities
These tourist hotels, star-rated ones in particular, bear the brunt of the flow of foreign visitors to China, providing them with food, lodging and many other services according to international standards.A hotel rated with three or more stars has the following features:
* The rooms are cozily appointed and furnished, and the toilets are equipped with 110/220-volt electric sockets and provide hot water 24 fours a day.
* Each guest room is equipped with an air-conditioning that is good enough to keep room temperature at a comfortable level.
* A telephone is installed in each room to allow the guest to make domestic or international long-distance calls through the operator.
* There are both a color TV set and a stereo system in each room.
* There are effective soundproof facilities, as well as curtains that can block the sunlight.
* Stationery appropriate to the rating of the hotel is available in every guest room.
The following facilities and services are available in hotels rated with three or more stars:
Chinese restaurant, Western restaurant, café, banquet hall, ball room, massage parlous, store, beauty parlous, meeting hall, commercial center, gym, florist's shop, clinic, parking lot, bookstore, credit-handling and foreign exchange conversion center, DDD and IDD telephone services, room service, child care, facilities for the disabled, karaoke hall, KTV room chess and card playing room, billiards room, and ping-pong room.
Some four-star or five-star hotels are also equipped with swimming pools, bowl golf courses, saunas, safety-deposit boxes, as well as facilities for fishing, boating, horseback riding, hunting, sharp shooting and other sports.
To choose an ideal hotel, the tourist may make inquiries through his/her travel agency. He/She may also contact the hotels directly by phone or fax.
►How to book hotels in China ?
►China Hotels Booking
For the past 30 years, the Chinese government has gradually established an fairly effective hotel star rating system which has classified all qualified hotels in China into five categories - Five Star, Four Star, Three Star, Two Star and One Star ( or youth hostels). The higher level of a hotel's star rating system, the better service and high rates you will expect. But The number of stars of a hotel may not necessarily match its service level.
5 Star Hotel
The 5 star hotels in China will offer you a good night stay with full range of moden room facilities. But the hotel rates are also very expensive usually ranging from USD100 to USD500 per room per night.
4 Star Hotel
You will feel very comfortable for most of the 4-star hotels in China. but some 4 star hotels are far below your expectation and you would like to stay in a clean and cozy three star hotel.
3 Star Hotel
There is a big difference between the quality among the three star hotels in China. The three star hotel rating is decided by the local governments with strong local protectionism. Some of the three star hotels are clean and comfortable; some are just rundown and shabby. Most of the three star hotels have no websites which make it quite difficult to book online.
2 Star Hotel
Strangely enough, 2 star hotels have comfortable facilities comparable to some 3-stars. But the problem for many 2 star hotels is that very few staffers can speak English. So if you are able to manage it, you may get some good rates.
One Star or Youth Hostel
Youth hostes are getting very popular in China. Low rates with simple and basic facilities. The rooms are clean and safe too. The staffers are always helpful and resourceful. Most of the staffers at youth hostels can speak English.
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