Confused about # of people in hotel rooms

Question

Hi!

We are looking to book several hotels for our travels around China (Beijing, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Guilin etc.). We are 2 adults + 2 children (ages 9 and 10). I use search engines such as booking.com / trip.com / expedia.com etc. The confusion comes, when looking at the room types offered... Sometimes it's clear - it will show a queen size room and will say ''we suggest booking 2 rooms for your party of 4''. Got it, no problem. But - VERY frequently it will show, let's say a queen or king size room and say ''children stay free'' and show max person limit at ''2 adults + 2 kids'' and will NOT tell me to book 2 rooms, but 1. How do they intend to put 4 people in a king room? Or is there some other ''trick'' like roll-away beds etc when it comes to children in hotel rooms here? I have never seen this, except trying to book hotels in China! I don't want to double book rooms if 1 is sufficient (it gets expensive quickly), but I also don't want to show up somewhere to realize that 2 of us have nowhere to sleep... Anyone with experience booking hotels for adults + kids who can shed some light? Thank you!

Answer

Booking hotels in China for families with children can be a bit confusing because of how the “children stay free” policies and maximum occupancy rules are presented. Here’s a detailed explanation based on common practices:

Understanding Room Occupancy

Many hotels in China allow children under a certain age (often under 12) to stay in the same room as their parents without extra charge. This does not always mean extra beds are provided automatically; sometimes it does, and sometimes it relies on existing bedding arrangements.

For a standard king or queen room with a max occupancy listed as “2 adults + 2 children,” the hotel usually expects that the two children can share the same bed as the parents (co-sleeping) or that roll-away beds / cribs will be added if requested.
Roll-away beds are sometimes provided for a fee, but in many cases, especially for younger children, the hotel expects them to share beds with the parents.
Hotels will almost never automatically add a second room just because the system says “2 adults + 2 children.” You usually need to specify if you want an extra bed.

How to Avoid Surprises

Always check the hotel’s policy on children and extra beds before booking. Some hotels clearly state whether extra beds or cribs are complimentary or for an additional charge.
If the children are older (like 9–10 years old in your case), many hotels might not recommend co-sleeping and will suggest booking two rooms or requesting an extra bed. It’s better to clarify this directly with the hotel.
Look for room types like “family room,” “suite,” or “connecting rooms,” which are designed to accommodate 2 adults + 2 children comfortably.
When booking via platforms like Booking.com or Trip.com, use the “Add extra bed” or “Special requests” field to request clarification or extra bedding if needed.

Practical Tips

For cost efficiency, a single room may work if your children are fine sharing beds with parents. If not, plan for an extra bed or a second room.
Always confirm with the hotel via email or messaging to avoid miscommunication. Many hotels in China are used to foreign travelers making these queries.
Check reviews from other families – they often mention whether a king/queen room comfortably fit 2 adults + 2 children.

In summary, “children stay free” often assumes co-sleeping or use of provided extra beds, but it’s not guaranteed. Clarifying with the hotel ahead of time is the safest way to avoid paying for an unnecessary extra room or being short on beds upon arrival.