From experience: sleeping in China
In my experience, hotel beds in China are often on the firm side. Many hotels have large beds, but the mattresses are frequently firmer than what travellers from Germany, Austria or Switzerland may expect. If you cannot sleep well on hard mattresses, do not leave this to chance.
My practical tip: mention when booking, or at the latest at check in, that you prefer a softer mattress. In some hotels, mattresses have two sides, one firmer and one softer. Sometimes a topper or another room is possible. It is not guaranteed, but asking helps.
Four stars are often enough
China has a huge number of good and affordable hotels. It does not automatically have to be a five star hotel. Many four star properties are modern, clean, well located and more than sufficient for a trip. Sometimes a price that would buy an average room in Europe gets you a very solid room in China.
I personally had very good experiences with several Vienna hotels. One specific recommendation from my own experience is the Vienna Hotel in Korgas, also written Khorgos, in the Ili region of Xinjiang. On my very first night in China in 2024, I received a wonderful room on the top floor: larger than the standard rooms, completely new and with a strong view. These surprises can happen quite often in China, because many hotels are new or freshly renovated.
This does not mean that every hotel is automatically good. But Chinese hotels are often stronger, more modern and more practical than many first time visitors expect.
What I would check before booking
A good hotel in the wrong place costs time. In China, distances often feel larger than they look on a map.
If you are sensitive about sleep, ask for a softer mattress directly.
Many Chinese hotels are new or freshly renovated. Current photos and reviews matter more than old star ratings.
Personally recommended hotels
These are personal favourites from own experience. I have stayed several nights in every hotel listed here. This is not a copied best of list, but a set of hotels that worked well on real trips.
Strong personal recommendation from own experience. A very new hotel, a good choice for Wuzhishan and especially useful if you see Hainan as more than a beach destination. Positive points were the non smoking room, free coffee in the lobby and a very good breakfast on the top floor.
Strong personal recommendation. A dream resort in the green mountains of Hainan, especially suitable for travellers who want to discover a less touristy area. A strong choice if Hainan should mean more than Sanya, beaches and the sea, with quiet inland scenery, mountains and greenery.
Personal recommendation for Beijing. One positive point was that the hotel did not feel purely local: several Western guests were also visible there. For travellers who appreciate a somewhat more international hotel feeling on a first Beijing trip, this can be useful.
Personal recommendation for Qiandao Lake. The location is especially strong: right next to the hotel there is a pleasant hiking hill with a Buddhist monastery at the top. During my visit, access was free of charge and open around the clock. The hotel works well if you want to experience the lake landscape, walks by the water and a quieter side of China away from the large metropolises.
Personal recommendation for Dandong. A strong hotel for the city on the Yalu River, especially if you do not see Dandong only as a short stop, but want to stay there deliberately and experience its special border location.
Concrete recommendation from own experience. On the first night in China in 2024, the room was new, larger than standard, on the top floor and had a strong view.
Why I use Trip.com for China
I use Trip.com myself for travel in Asia and especially in China. The main reason is not only price, but availability: many Western platforms show far fewer hotels in China. On Trip.com, the selection is usually broader, especially outside the most obvious international travel destinations.
For eSIM offers, Trip.com was especially affordable in my own experience. For hotels, the key point is the large number of available properties. For flights and train connections, I value that Trip.com does not merely forward a vague request, but handles real bookings and tickets. In China, I do not want to wait two days for a confirmation and then learn that the booking did not go through after all.
That is why Trip.com is linked here deliberately. For China travel, I see it as one of the most practical tools for hotels, flights, eSIM and later also train bookings.
Transparency: The link to Trip.com is a partner link. If a booking is made through this link, the site operator may receive a commission. The visitor price should not increase because of this. The recommendation is based on own use.