The display says 18°C, air is coming from the vent, and the room is still getting warmer. That does not always mean you have pressed the wrong button. Some Chinese hotels use a building-wide system that can run in heating or cooling mode, but not both at once. During spring and autumn, management may not have switched the building to cooling.
Check the controls before calling reception
- Close the window and balcony door; a sensor may stop the system when either is open.
- Set the mode to the snowflake or 制冷 (Zhileng), not 送风 (Songfeng, fan) or 制热 (Zhire, heat).
- Set the fan to medium or high and wait ten minutes.
- Hold your hand close to the vent. Moving air is not the same as cold air.
- Check whether the room key card is fully inserted in the power slot.
请问，这个房间的空调现在可以制冷吗？
Pronunciation: Qingwen, zhege fangjian de kongtiao xianzai keyi zhileng ma?
Excuse me, can this room’s air conditioner cool the room now?
Ask one precise question
Do not ask only whether the hotel “has air conditioning.” Ask whether this room can produce cold air now. If the answer is “the central system has not started,” changing the thermostat will not solve it.
Ask for a solution you can verify
- A technician: useful when nearby rooms are cooling normally.
- Another room: inspect it before moving all your luggage.
- A fan: a practical fallback when outside temperatures are moderate.
- A room with an opening window: only if outdoor noise and air quality are acceptable.
- Cancellation of unused nights: discuss this with both the hotel and booking platform before leaving.
Take a short video showing the thermostat, room temperature and weak airflow if you may need help from the booking platform. Keep the conversation factual: the promised facility is not providing the result you reasonably expected.
Before booking the next hotel
Search recent reviews for “AC,” “air conditioning,” “hot room,” “central heating,” and the month of your stay. Message the property: “Can the guest room actively cool below 23°C in October?” A numerical question is harder to misunderstand than “Does the room have AC?”
FAQ
Why does the panel show a low temperature?
It may show your requested setting rather than the actual room temperature. The central plant may still be supplying only ventilation or heat.
Should I leave the window open all night?
Only after checking security, insects, street noise and air quality. Never disable a safety device or force a restricted window.
Can I demand an immediate refund?
That depends on the listing, hotel response and booking terms. Give the property a reasonable chance to inspect the room, document the result, and contact the booking platform before checking out.
Also read what to do when the room does not match the booking.