Need to know

Price ranges

The following price ranges represent a standard double room per night.

Less than 500 yuan

500-1,000 yuan

More than 1,000 yuan

Tipping

In China, it’s not customary to tip hotel porters. Some international hotels will give you a tip option when paying for food and drinks with a credit card, but again this is not typical in China and tips are not expected.

Reservations

With so many hotels, you can generally find somewhere to stay in Shenzhen at a moment’s notice, but you might not get your first choice.

Checking in

It’s mandatory for guests to have their passport scanned and to complete a registration form, a copy of which will be sent to the local public security bureau. At check-in, you will need your passport, which will have its photo and visa pages scanned before being returned to you. A deposit (押金, yājīn) is required at most hotels, paid either with cash or by providing your credit card details. International credit cards are generally only accepted at big chain hotels. You usually have to check out by noon. Hotel policy regarding late checkout varies, so ask.

Where to stay

Shenzhen is very spread out from east to west, so it makes sense to base yourself in a spot near to the places you want to visit, or play it safe and stay central. Futian District is well-connected to most of the city, and set-up for high-end business travelers. Shekou, at the foot of Nanshan, has several top-quality hotels but it’s a long Metro ride to Futian or Luohu districts. A better bet in Nanshan is the OCT-LOFT area — it’s very central with lots of hip bars and restaurants nearby. There are a limited number of rooms here, so book ahead. Luohu is great for budget travelers, offering a range of cheaper business hotels.

Breakfast

Breakfast at local hotels usually follows the same pattern: rice porridge (粥, zhōu), stir-fried vegetables, noodles, steamed buns (馒头, mántou), and eggs. Coffee is usually provided and perhaps bread, a toaster, jam and butter. At international hotels, a more Western-style spread will be provided.