For a family with children or grandparents, a connecting room is the calmest choice, and a family room is the simplest. Both are limited at most hotels, so ask early and ask for confirmation. A request that is only written in a note may not be honoured.
It is natural to worry about being separated from a child or an elderly parent at night. A clear message at booking solves most of that.
What are the choices?
Hotels use the same words for different things, so here is what each usually means.
| Option | What you get | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Family room | One large room, usually two beds plus extra bedding | Parents with young children |
| Connecting rooms | Two rooms with an inside door | Grandparents plus parents and children |
| Adjoining rooms | Two rooms side by side, no door between | Teenagers who want some privacy |
| Two rooms, same floor | Rooms near each other along a corridor | Larger groups |
Do this: decide who needs to be close at night. Then pick the option that keeps that person within an easy reach.
How do you ask for connecting rooms?
A connecting room is a request to the hotel, not a room type you can click and pay for. Booking sites let you add a note, but notes are not always read.
Send a short message after booking. Say it clearly and kindly, for example:
- We are a family of five, with two children aged under ten and one grandparent.
- We would like two connecting rooms, or two rooms side by side.
- Please confirm in writing whether this is possible.
Ask again by message a few days before you travel. If the hotel confirms, keep a screenshot on your phone to show at check-in.
What about beds?
Family rooms usually have two beds, and some hotels add a rollaway for a child. Check whether the extra bed is a full bed or a folding one. Our guide to family rooms and bed sizes explains how Chinese hotels describe beds.
For three adults or an adult with two children, a triple room may work. If two travellers share a bed, read our guide to twin versus double beds.
What should you prepare for check-in?
Every foreign guest is registered, including children, so each person needs a passport. Hotels copy passports for registration, so carry the originals[1].
Arrive with the booking confirmation on your phone. If the hotel offers a different layout, stay calm and ask what else is free that night. A polite request is more likely to be met than a loud one.
What if the family is tired of moving?
Moving between hotels is hard with young children and with seniors. If you are planning a few stops, read our guide on hotel changes with young children before you fix the route.
Add family room prices to the budget planner so the quotes are comparable. Browse the stays topic page for more room guides, and read our accessible rooms guide if a family member has mobility needs.