Shanghai hotels checkout

This item appears on page 70 of the June 2009 issue.

Good news for tourists in Shanghai — as of May 1, checkout times in hotels, guest houses and hostels are negotiable. Previously, hotels across China’s mainland set noon as the checkout time.

The new regulation requires that Shanghai hotels confirm the checkout time with guests in writing before they check in. Hotels do not have to offer a flexible checkout time, but they are required to inform guests of the time of checkout when they arrive and to display checkout options near the reception desk.

Hotels also should provide facilities for guests who have checked out but still need to store luggage.