‘Room re-sale’ row: VVIP guest at posh China hotel fined US$415 after surveillance footage reveals no overnight stay
- Guest stays outside of room at night because of ‘time difference’ tiredness
- Online observers dub posh hotel a ‘police station’ due to strict monitoring
A guest who checked into a Hilton Hotel in China’s capital has been fined 3,000 yuan (US$415) after surveillance cameras showed that he did not actually stay on the premises overnight.
The fine was imposed because hotel staff suspect he was a “room reseller”, who sought to profit by giving the room, and the benefits it came with, to another person.
The guest, surnamed Tang, a VVIP member, booked two rooms for three nights starting from May 9 at the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing for himself and his family.
During check-in, he signed a “commitment letter”, promising not to transfer member benefits during their stay.
The commitment letter said: “If your reservation involves the unauthorised transfer of member benefits during your stay, the hotel will charge you an additional 500 yuan per night. This fee includes breakfast, room upgrades, executive benefits, and member welcome amenities.”
Tang, who is a frequent Hilton guest, said: “When they presented the commitment letter, I didn’t suspect anything, I just signed it.”