When traveling in China, you might encounter a curious situation at your hotel. You might be told that certain floors are “executive floors” or are otherwise reserved for foreign guests. Sometimes, you might check into a hotel that you booked online, only to be told that they cannot accept foreigners, and they will help you find another hotel nearby.
This can be a confusing and sometimes frustrating experience. Is it discrimination? Is it a special privilege? The reality is a bit more complicated and is rooted in a long-standing government regulation.
The Law: Temporary Residence Registration
The core reason behind this practice is the Chinese government’s requirement that all foreign visitors must be registered with the local police (Public Security Bureau, or PSB) within 24 hours of their arrival in a new location. This is called a “Temporary Residence Registration.”
- When you stay at a hotel: The hotel is required to handle this registration for you. They have a system that is connected to the local PSB. When you check in, they scan your passport and your visa, and the system automatically registers your stay with the police. This is a routine and normal part of the check-in process.
- The Catch: In order to legally host foreign guests, a hotel must have a special license and be equipped with this specific PSB-connected registration system.
Why Some Hotels Can’t Host Foreigners
Getting this license and setting up the system requires extra cost, paperwork, and training for the hotel staff. For many smaller, budget-friendly, or domestic-focused hotels, it’s simply not worth the investment. They cater almost exclusively to Chinese domestic travelers who don’t need this type of registration (they have their own national ID card system).
So, when a hotel says they “cannot accept foreigners,” it’s not usually a matter of prejudice. It’s a legal and logistical issue. They simply do not have the license or the system to legally register you with the police. If they were to let you stay, both you and the hotel would technically be in violation of the law.
The “Foreigner Floors” Phenomenon
In some larger hotels, you might find that only certain floors are designated for foreign guests. This is often a matter of internal organization and efficiency.
- Staff Training: The hotel might concentrate its English-speaking staff and staff who are trained to handle the passport and visa registration process on these specific floors.
- Amenities: These floors might have amenities that the hotel believes are more appealing to international travelers, such as softer beds, different breakfast options, or access to international news channels on TV.
- System Efficiency: It can be more efficient for the hotel’s management to group all the guests who require the special registration process together.
While this practice is becoming less common in major international hotel chains, you may still encounter it in some older or more locally-focused establishments.
What Should You Do?
- Book with Reputable Chains: If you want to be absolutely sure your booking will be honored, stick to well-known international hotel chains (like Marriott, Hilton, Accor, etc.) or large, reputable Chinese chains (like Huazhu or Jin Jiang). These hotels are always licensed to host foreign guests.
- Use Trusted Booking Sites: When booking on sites like Trip.com, you can often filter for hotels that are able to host foreign guests. Read the reviews from other international travelers.
- Don’t Worry if it Happens: If you do get turned away, the hotel staff will almost always be very helpful. They understand the situation and will typically call a nearby hotel that can host foreigners to find you a room, often at a similar price.
So, if you encounter this situation, don’t take it personally. It’s a quirk of the legal system. Think of it as one of the unique cultural experiences of traveling in China, and be prepared to be flexible. Happy travels from Panda Trip!
