Recent chaos in hotels in mainland China is alarming. A woman recently checked into a hotel in Wuhan and accidentally discovered that behind a decorative painting on the wall was an empty space with stairs leading to an unknown destination. The hotel management explained that the space behind the painting was not a hidden passage but rather a maintenance room.
Ms. Chen, a social media user, shared that on October 17th, she and two friends stayed at the Melo·Milo Riverside Sky Hotel in Wuhan and accidentally bumped into a wall displaying a decorative painting. Upon removing the painting, they discovered a space behind it with stairs.
According to a report by mainland media Modern Express on October 19th, Ms. Chen’s booking information indicated that she stayed in a Cloud Nest High-altitude Viewing Cinema Suite for 137 yuan.
Ms. Chen stated that while preparing to boil water with a kettle, she accidentally hit the corner of the wall where the painting was hung. Upon hearing a strange noise, she became suspicious and decided to remove the painting. Behind it, she found an empty space with stairs, unsure of where they led.
She immediately inquired at the hotel reception, and the staff explained that the space was used for installing equipment such as a water heater, although this information was not disclosed to guests beforehand.
After changing rooms, Ms. Chen left a negative review on the booking platform to warn other travelers about similar situations. The hotel management contacted her to offer compensation, initially proposing a refund of half the room rate in exchange for deleting the negative review. Eventually, they agreed to waive the room fee in full but still requested the removal of the review. Ms. Chen accepted reasonable compensation but refused to delete her review.
On the morning of the 19th, a reporter from mainland media contacted the hotel for verification. The hotel manager confirmed that the space behind the painting was a maintenance room with an electric water heater installed. They explained that the space was used for equipment repair and sealed off from guest areas, emphasizing its readiness for inspection.
When asked about future renovations, the hotel manager stated that they would not permanently seal the maintenance area but planned to post signs indicating it as an independent equipment room.
Local authorities have not responded to this incident yet, which has sparked heated discussions online. Netizens have questioned the hotel’s explanation, expressing concerns about potential risks and security implications of such hidden spaces.
Similar incidents have occurred before. A netizen in Hubei province shared a video in April, where she found a hidden paper door behind a painting in a hotel room, leading to a dark staircase. The hotel staff claimed it was a reserved maintenance access, but doubts and scrutiny from the public persisted without official clarification.
These unsettling discoveries in hotels have raised public awareness and prompted discussions about safety and transparency in the hospitality industry. Vigilance and caution are urged to ensure the well-being of guests and prevent any potential risks or hidden threats within hotel premises.