Match the passport name
Use the same legal name format you use for flights and rail tickets when the hotel booking asks for identification.
Check property location carefully
Search the actual address, not only the marketing neighborhood. A “Shanghai” hotel can be an hour or more from the sights you care about.
Ask about deposits and payment
Some hotels request a refundable deposit. Check which payment methods are accepted and how refunds are processed.
Use flexible cancellation when the route is not final
Visa, permit, rail and flight changes can make a nonrefundable room expensive even when the initial nightly rate looks low.