Over the past two years, we spent nearly four months traveling through China, staying predominantly at Hilton hotels. It’s been an incredible journey filled with discoveries, insights, and some handy travel tips we’re excited to share with you.
Visa-Free Travel: A Great Starting Point
Since late last year, China has opened its doors to tourists from 38 countries, offering visa-free travel for up to one month. This is fantastic news for travelers looking for spontaneity. However, when we planned our two-month summer adventure last year, we needed to organize visas and carefully plan our itinerary in advance. While this required extra effort, the rewards of exploring this vast and diverse country were well worth it.
Timing Your Trip
China’s population of over 1.4 billion means tourist attractions are rarely quiet, and peak travel times can be overwhelming. Our first recommendation: Avoid traveling during major public holidays like the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year in February), Labor Day (early May), and the National Day Golden Week (early October). Summer holidays, particularly in August, can also be crowded and expensive.
High Standards at Hilton Hotels in China
Hilton hotels in China stand out for their exceptional service and quality. Many properties are brand-new, with new hotels opening monthly, lately a lot of them Hampton by Hilton brand. These Hamptons offer spacious rooms, extensive amenities, and top-notch service—a far cry from what you might expect in other countries.
However, older hotels, especially in the humid southern regions, sometimes suffer from dampness and mold due to prolonged closures during the pandemic. We encountered this twice and resolved it by switching rooms or hotels. Our second recommendation: Choose newer properties for a fresher, more comfortable stay.
Venture Beyond the Usual Destinations
While Beijing and Shanghai are must-visits, exploring lesser-known regions offers unique experiences. We cherish memories from Conrad Jiuzhaigou, located near a stunning national park, and Conrad Hangzhou Tonglu, surrounded by beautiful nature. Our third recommendation: Go off the beaten path to uncover China’s hidden gems.
Make the Most of Executive Lounges
As Hilton Honors Diamond members, we’ve come to appreciate the incredible value of hotels with executive lounges. Many Hilton properties in China offer lounges that feel like all-inclusive experiences.
Here’s what you can expect:
Breakfast: Often available in the lounge, though we preferred the extensive selection at main restaurants. The lounge is a great alternative when the restaurant is busy.
Afternoon Tea: Typically includes savory snacks like sandwiches, desserts, and fruits.
Happy Hour: Features salads, cold cuts, soups, hot dishes, desserts, and alcoholic beverages. At some DoubleTree properties, the happy hour is more localized, while Conrad and Hilton hotels usually offer international cuisine.
During a recent stay, we noticed that DoubleTree lounges often open at 2 PM with light snacks and offer a robust happy hour from 5 PM. Meanwhile, Hilton and Conrad lounges provide access all day, making them a fantastic perk. Our fourth recommendation: Prioritize hotels with executive lounges for a more luxurious and cost-effective experience.
Luxury at Reasonable Prices
Despite rising room rates, China still offers excellent value for ultra-luxury stays. For example, rates at the Waldorf Astoria Beijing start at around 2,200 RMB ($300). By comparison, we’ve stayed at DoubleTree by Hilton Shenzhen Airport and DoubleTree by Hilton Shenzhen Longhua for just 650 RMB ($90), and Hilton Shenzhen Futian for 700 RMB ($95), all of them with an executive lounge and very high quality standard.
Normally, it is not worth using Hilton Honors points unless you travel during busy seasons when room rates are significantly higher. Redeeming points during peak periods can provide excellent value compared to paying cash.
Our fifth recommendation: Check out Hilton For Luxury program, which often features enticing promotions. During our last trip to southern China, we booked Conrad Shenzhen and Conrad Guangzhou through a “pay 2, stay 3” deal, making these luxurious stays surprisingly affordable.
Conclusion
China is a fascinating destination with something for every traveler. With thoughtful planning, off-season travel, and strategic hotel choices, you can enjoy a luxurious and memorable journey. Hilton hotels, with their exceptional service and excellent perks, made our adventure unforgettable, and we hope these tips help you plan yours!
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