In recent news from April 27, 2025, an internet user from mainland China made a hotel reservation in Beijing, only to discover upon check-in that the reality did not match their expectations. The “room” they were assigned had a bed sandwiched tightly between two walls, cramped and claustrophobic like a coffin, sparking attention online. The hotel in question has come under scrutiny for possible false advertising.
The user took to social media to share their experience, revealing that they had booked a single room in a budget apartment in Beijing for 95 yuan per night. However, upon arrival, they found the room to be narrow, stuffy, and measuring less than 5 square meters. The bed was pressed against the wall with hardly any space on either side. The post gained widespread attention online, with some netizens referring to it as a “capsule room” or a “coffin room,” while others questioned if it met basic living and fire safety standards.
The user, in an interview with Upstream News on April 25, described their stay as “shocking.” They stated, “From the photos on the booking platform, although I knew the room wasn’t large, it didn’t look like such a narrow space where there’s only a bed. In reality, after navigating through the building, there was a corner in the cluttered room, exactly like the photo. I was shocked to see it, it’s probably only about 50 centimeters wide, making it difficult to even turn over…”
Images of the room revealed a narrow single bed squeezed between two walls, with a cabinet pressed against the headboard. The room had no windows, no air conditioning, no bathroom, and a closed ceiling. The guest had almost no room to move around. The walls were covered in light-colored panels, resembling a container-style sleeping capsule.
Comparing the actual room photos with the ones displayed on the booking platform, which labeled it as a “single room,” showed a space in light tones with a bed and a neatly arranged wardrobe. There were no indications on the page about any “non-standard layout” or warnings.
In response to the criticism, the manager of the budget apartment stated, “Indeed, this room type at this price is small, without windows or air conditioning, priced at 95 yuan per night. The photos and layout we posted on the platform are just for reference. If it doesn’t suit you, you can look elsewhere.”
Regarding the allegations of false advertising, the manager mentioned that they had communicated with the platform and refunded the guest’s payment, emphasizing that the platform’s room information depicted the general situation.
Lawyer Nie Sha from the Beijing Yingke (Chongqing) Law Firm commented on the situation, stating that if the information presented on the booking platform significantly deviates from the reality, consumers have the right to demand compensation under false advertising regulations, including claiming “refund one compensate three.”