When it comes to hotels within China, you just have to be a little careful.
Mostly these types of 4 and 5 star hotels will be ok, generally they will be run by a western boss and have western heads of all the departments.
Training, etc, of the staff, consistency of the service level from an international brand hotel is important, so most will have enough English speakers around to make your stay welcome and hassle free.
The breakfast will be catered for both Chinese and Western appetites, with the hotel occupancy rate around 50 – 50 Chinese to Westerner.
Within the major cities, most will be as the International brands and the level of service just as good.
Within the restaurants and shops, the English should be at a level that you would get most things without too much bother.
If the clientele is Westerner and Chinese, the breakfast will be all the usual food that you will recognize.
I do a lot of Chinese travel, for these hotels this is their major business, not westerners, the westerners are classed as an extra, which has come along over the last few years.
Some have not learnt to deal with this extra business yet.
These more out of the way Chinese 4 and 5 Star hotels are a little different; comparatively the fixtures and fitting will be the same standard as any 4 or 5 Star hotel, however sometimes the same care and attention in the maintenance and service to the customer will be different to what you will be used to.
Not necessarily worse or bad, just different.
Western and Chinese expectations in all areas of the China travel business are different, this is why I set up Travel-the-Real-China.com.
The level of English generally will not be as good, so just take your time, they will find someone, or you will work out some way to communicate, just keep your cool.
I have stayed at some great Chinese 4 and 5 star hotels, and been very happy, so do not be put off.
All I have visited have been clean, tidy and for an overall statement: a pleasant stay was had by all.
The breakfast will be a Chinese breakfast and if it is a regular stop for Western travelers, some western food will be served.
If it is an out of the way place, you may not get the type of breakfast you expect; the Chinese eat different things for breakfast, so to get a simple cup of tea or coffee and some toast just will not happen.
There will be hot water; if you have to have your tea or coffee, bring your own.
The breakfast will have lots of food, just not what you will be expecting.
These 3 star Chinese hotels usually get very high traffic and occupancy… mostly Chinese, and now some westerners, especially with the major cities
For these hotels, maintenance is not high on their list, so you may find a few things that will not work or have fallen off the wall.
If it is dangerous, most of the time something will be done, otherwise no one will care.
Within the major cities most will be clean and tidy and offer some sort of western food for breakfast. Out in the remoter areas… not really.
The breakfast will have lots of food, just not what you will be expecting.
Take some tea and coffee if you really need this; there will always be hot water.
The level of English within the major cities will be just enough for you to check in and out. In the remoter areas, checking in can take some time.
There is a high number of these hotels and it can be a great way to see the country. In Tibet the 3 star hotels are a little pricey, however within China most are good value and will be clean, with showers in all the rooms.
You just need to be aware; it's good value, clean and some small things may be a little frustrating with it, however that’s China.
Go with the flow, it's part of the adventure of China.
I know of a few small and very good value inner city hotels within Shanghai.
These are Chinese hotels and will not be on anyone’s list to book, as they are new and classed as Chinese business hotels.
Please contact the author if you would like to know more details.
I hope this Hotel Travel Guide China gives you a good overview if you would like more info please let me know.
John Mckenna john@travel-the-real-china.com
| ©2005 John McKenna. All rights reserved. |
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