How to Ensure Hotel Hygiene and Safety in China? A Comprehensive Guide

When traveling in China, hotel hygiene is a major concern for many foreign tourists. The following provides systematic advice from pre-trip preparation, check-in inspections, use of hygiene tools to emergency measures:

Part One: Pre-Trip Preparation - The Key to Reducing Risks

1. Choose High-Rated Hotels
2. International Platforms Reference: On platforms like Booking.com, Agoda, TripAdvisor, pay attention to the "Cleanliness" rating, prioritize hotels scoring above 8 (out of 10).
3. Local Chinese Platforms: On apps like Ctrip, Fliggy, look at the "Hygiene Reviews" section, filter keywords like "clean" or "disinfected", and review recent feedback from actual guests.

4. Prefer Chain Brands: Hotels under brands like InterContinental, Marriott, Huazhu (such as Quanjie, Hanting) often have more standardized hygiene management.

5. Bring Your Own Hygiene Protection Supplies

6. Portable Sheets/Sleeping Bags: Recommend lightweight materials (such as pure cotton or disposable non-woven fabric) to cover mattresses and pillows.
7. Disinfectant Wipes and Sprays: Choose products with 75% alcohol or hypochlorous acid components to wipe frequently touched areas such as door handles, remote controls.
8. Disposable Toilet Seat Covers: Foldable designs are convenient to carry and can be used to cover the toilet seat.

9. Foldable Kettle: Avoid using hotel kettles (there have been reports of them being used for non-heating purposes).

10. Confirm Hotel Hygiene Certification

11. Check if the hotel has passed certifications like the "China Green Hotel" certification (marked by a green leaf), or participates in the "Hygiene Credit Rating" (Grade A is the best).

Part Two: Upon Check-In - Detailed Inspection Steps

1. Bedding Inspection
2. Sheets and Bed Covers: Lift the bedding to check for hair, stains, or odors, focusing on under the pillow and edges of the mattress.

3. Replacement Request: If problems are found, immediately request a full set replacement (Chinese prompt: "Please replace the sheets and bed covers").

4. Bathroom Cleanliness

5. Toilet and Bathtub: Check for water scale and mold marks inside, wipe with disinfectant wipes before use.

6. Towels and Bath Towels: Check if they are sealed or neatly folded, smell for any damp odor.

7. Room Details Check

8. Floor and Corners: Check carpets or floors for food residue or dust accumulation.
9. Cups and Electric Kettles: Suggest boiling water rinse or use your own cup.
10. Air Conditioning Outlets: After turning it on, observe if dust is blown out, request cleaning if necessary.

Part Three: Hygiene Tool Usage Tips

1. Ultraviolet Disinfection Lamp (Optional)

2. Portable UV-C lamps can irradiate beds and bathrooms for 15 minutes to kill bacteria (do not use when people are present).

3. Sealed Bag Packaging

4. Place items like remote controls and hair dryers into transparent sealed bags before use.

5. Pitfall Reminder

6. Avoid using hotel-provided unsealed toiletries, bring your own travel-sized supplies.

Part Four: How to Handle Hygiene Issues?

1. On-Site Handling
2. Take Photos for Evidence: Record problem details (like stains, insects) as negotiation evidence.

3. Contact Reception: Request room change or deep cleaning (urgent calls dial “0” to reach reception).

4. Complaint Channels

5. Platform Complaints: Submit evidence through booking platforms (like Ctrip) to apply for compensation or refunds.
6. Official Hotlines: Call 12301 (National Tourism Service Hotline) or 12315 (Consumer Complaint Hotline).

Part Five: Recommended Hygiene Assurance Solutions

• For Generous Budgets: Choose five-star hotels or international brands (such as Shangri-La, Hilton), which have stricter disinfection procedures.
• Cost-Effective Choices: Mid-range chain brands like Quanjie Hotels, Yado Hotels generally come equipped with disposable toilet seat covers and disinfection devices.
• Hostels/Airbnbs: Prioritize Airbnb listings marked as "Superhost" that confirm "professional cleaning" services.

Part Six: Additional Notes

1. Language Communication: Download translation apps (such as Google Translate) in advance, or print Chinese cue cards: "Please provide a disinfected room" (Qǐng tígōng yǐ xiāodú de fángjiān).
2. Allergy Concerns: Bring anti-allergy sprays, avoid rooms with carpets provided by hotels.
3. Avoid Low-Cost Traps: Hotels priced significantly below market rates may pose hygiene risks.