Hotel lacks registration to accept Americans (updated)
Jul 31, 2016, 9:07 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SIN / SFO
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This issue crops up every once in a while, and many people (not least the hotels themselves) will insist that there is some special license needed to accept foreigners. This is simply not the case, and hasn't been for at least the last ten years or so. Any hotel that can legally accept PRC citizen guests can also legally accept foreigners.
The real issue is that the hotel staff does not know how to use the computer to register foreigners, and unless you know how, you're unlikely to get anywhere. There is an excellent guide, complete with screenshots, here. It's from a few years ago, but more or less correct.
I have yet to fail when running into this problem, including in some of the most generally obnoxious places (Henan, I'm looking at you). The basic strategy is:
1. Politely tell them they are incorrect, that all hotels are able to accept foreigners, and that they should look for the right options in the computer.
2. Offer to help show them how to use their computer to register a foreigner (the guide I linked is useful here). Usually this is sufficient.
3. If #1 and #2 fail, call the PSB. They will confirm there is no such law—my favourite case was in a tiny town in Gansu, where someone from the PSB came out to the hotel and yelled at them on my behalf.
Usually, the path of least resistance is to just find another hotel, but in some places, this isn't an option, in which case the fight is worth it. Obviously, all of this requires solid Mandarin skills—but you probably do if you find yourself running into this situation.
The real issue is that the hotel staff does not know how to use the computer to register foreigners, and unless you know how, you're unlikely to get anywhere. There is an excellent guide, complete with screenshots, here. It's from a few years ago, but more or less correct.
I have yet to fail when running into this problem, including in some of the most generally obnoxious places (Henan, I'm looking at you). The basic strategy is:
1. Politely tell them they are incorrect, that all hotels are able to accept foreigners, and that they should look for the right options in the computer.
2. Offer to help show them how to use their computer to register a foreigner (the guide I linked is useful here). Usually this is sufficient.
3. If #1 and #2 fail, call the PSB. They will confirm there is no such law—my favourite case was in a tiny town in Gansu, where someone from the PSB came out to the hotel and yelled at them on my behalf.
Usually, the path of least resistance is to just find another hotel, but in some places, this isn't an option, in which case the fight is worth it. Obviously, all of this requires solid Mandarin skills—but you probably do if you find yourself running into this situation.
Jul 31, 2016, 9:29 pm
#17
Ambassador: China
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Marian may not know where she is, how she got there, or how her current location relates to where she wants to be, but she never ever gets lost.
Lost Laowai...
the definitive guide to getting a room in the middle of nowhere in China.
Lost Laowai...
the definitive guide to getting a room in the middle of nowhere in China.
Jul 31, 2016, 9:46 pm
#18
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Of course, that's what we all try. But a "gratuity" it's not.
Now if you have all that stature, exude trust and are smartly kitted out, the question is, why are you trying to talk yourself into a 100RMB two-star when the 200RMB three-star across the street will take you in a flash?
Now if you have all that stature, exude trust and are smartly kitted out, the question is, why are you trying to talk yourself into a 100RMB two-star when the 200RMB three-star across the street will take you in a flash?
Jul 31, 2016, 9:48 pm
#19
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Join Date: Jun 2005
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Exactly! I find myself in the OP's situation around once per year. Any hotel CAN do PSB registration for foreigners, but getting set up requires a nominal amount of cap ex (i.e. buy a scanner), and --more importantly-- hiring/training staff to perform the routine. My current hotel of choice in Nanning is equipped to register foreign guests, but since they only receive 2 or 3 foreign guests/month, the registration process never fails to bedazzle the check-in people.
@OP: Instead of arguing for 3 hours, you should have advised the aunt to find a different hotel as soon as she was aware of this issue. This is a "square peg, round hole" thing, and fighting it is completely pointless.
@OP: Instead of arguing for 3 hours, you should have advised the aunt to find a different hotel as soon as she was aware of this issue. This is a "square peg, round hole" thing, and fighting it is completely pointless.
Jul 31, 2016, 9:49 pm
#20
Ambassador: China
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Of course, that's what we all try. But a "gratuity" it's not.
Now if you have all that stature, exude trust and are smartly kitted out, the question is, why are you trying to talk yourself into a 100RMB two-star when the 200RMB three-star across the street will take you in a flash?
Now if you have all that stature, exude trust and are smartly kitted out, the question is, why are you trying to talk yourself into a 100RMB two-star when the 200RMB three-star across the street will take you in a flash?
Jul 31, 2016, 10:01 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
This issue crops up every once in a while, and many people (not least the hotels themselves) will insist that there is some special license needed to accept foreigners. This is simply not the case, and hasn't been for at least the last ten years or so. Any hotel that can legally accept PRC citizen guests can also legally accept foreigners.
The real issue is that the hotel staff does not know how to use the computer to register foreigners, and unless you know how, you're unlikely to get anywhere. There is an excellent guide, complete with screenshots, here. It's from a few years ago, but more or less correct.
I have yet to fail when running into this problem, including in some of the most generally obnoxious places (Henan, I'm looking at you). The basic strategy is:
1. Politely tell them they are incorrect, that all hotels are able to accept foreigners, and that they should look for the right options in the computer.
2. Offer to help show them how to use their computer to register a foreigner (the guide I linked is useful here). Usually this is sufficient.
3. If #1 and #2 fail, call the PSB. They will confirm there is no such law—my favourite case was in a tiny town in Gansu, where someone from the PSB came out to the hotel and yelled at them on my behalf.
Usually, the path of least resistance is to just find another hotel, but in some places, this isn't an option, in which case the fight is worth it. Obviously, all of this requires solid Mandarin skills—but you probably do if you find yourself running into this situation.
The real issue is that the hotel staff does not know how to use the computer to register foreigners, and unless you know how, you're unlikely to get anywhere. There is an excellent guide, complete with screenshots, here. It's from a few years ago, but more or less correct.
I have yet to fail when running into this problem, including in some of the most generally obnoxious places (Henan, I'm looking at you). The basic strategy is:
1. Politely tell them they are incorrect, that all hotels are able to accept foreigners, and that they should look for the right options in the computer.
2. Offer to help show them how to use their computer to register a foreigner (the guide I linked is useful here). Usually this is sufficient.
3. If #1 and #2 fail, call the PSB. They will confirm there is no such law—my favourite case was in a tiny town in Gansu, where someone from the PSB came out to the hotel and yelled at them on my behalf.
Usually, the path of least resistance is to just find another hotel, but in some places, this isn't an option, in which case the fight is worth it. Obviously, all of this requires solid Mandarin skills—but you probably do if you find yourself running into this situation.
Jul 31, 2016, 10:09 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SIN / SFO
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Thank you--it's been a while since we have been in the situation and back then so long as they got a Chinese ID they were willing to turn a blind eye to the rest of the party not having them. I stayed out of sight anyway (I'm not allowed nearby if negotiation is expected) until things were settled and until IDs come out they'll think she's from Shanghai.
Jul 31, 2016, 10:20 pm
#23
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
Of course, that's what we all try. But a "gratuity" it's not.
Now if you have all that stature, exude trust and are smartly kitted out, the question is, why are you trying to talk yourself into a 100RMB two-star when the 200RMB three-star across the street will take you in a flash?
Now if you have all that stature, exude trust and are smartly kitted out, the question is, why are you trying to talk yourself into a 100RMB two-star when the 200RMB three-star across the street will take you in a flash?
Last edited by moondog; Jul 31, 2016 at 10:55 pm
Jul 31, 2016, 10:30 pm
#24
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FWIW, this still often works—but you have to know that anyone without a 身份证 needs to stay out of the way until after registration. In my experience, most front desk staff at the type of places where this is an issue are happy to turn a blind eye to pretty much anything if you make even the slightest effort to keep it "hidden."
Sure 20 plus years ago I had to go to certain places under the cover of darkness. But now that is ridiculous.
Jul 31, 2016, 10:31 pm
#25
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Jul 31, 2016, 10:45 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
The notion that this problem arises at just 招待所 and the like is wrong. There are plenty of three-star chain hotels which won't accept foreigners, including some right in Hangzhou.
Here, for example, is the Jinjiang Inn Select on Yan'an Road Commercial Street in Hangzhou, where rates range from 288RMB to 388RMB; note the notation "是否接待外宾：否" "Accepts Foreigners or Not: Does Not."
http://hotel.jinjiang.com/HotelDetai...ate=2016-08-20 (in Chinese)
Here, for example, is the Jinjiang Inn Select on Yan'an Road Commercial Street in Hangzhou, where rates range from 288RMB to 388RMB; note the notation "是否接待外宾：否" "Accepts Foreigners or Not: Does Not."
http://hotel.jinjiang.com/HotelDetai...ate=2016-08-20 (in Chinese)
Jul 31, 2016, 11:14 pm
#28
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I guess when the Chinese govt limits the freedom of movement of their own people with the hukou system. They sure as hell aren't going to let foreigners park their **s wherever they please.
Aug 1, 2016, 7:18 pm
#30
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FWIW, this still often works—but you have to know that anyone without a 身份证 needs to stay out of the way until after registration. In my experience, most front desk staff at the type of places where this is an issue are happy to turn a blind eye to pretty much anything if you make even the slightest effort to keep it "hidden."
I do agree that it very well might work so long as they're presented with a Chinese ID. We weren't attempting to evade it back then, it was simply that her ability to negotiate is much better if she can pretend to be local.