Hotel Robots in China: How to Use Delivery and Service Robots

Last updated: March 2026. Robots are most common at three-star and above hotels, and more so in first- and second-tier cities.

Staying at a hotel in China, you’ll often see compact delivery robots in the corridors—riding the elevator, finding the right door, and stopping outside a room. Some lobbies also have talking guide robots that give directions or answer questions. This “robot delivery to your room” setup is very common in China; the first time you run into it, don’t panic—follow the steps below and you’ll get your items without a hitch.

Many Chinese hotels use robots to deliver items to your room—when the robot arrives it will automatically call your room phone (or knock/ring the bell). Answer the call, open the door, then enter your room number on the robot’s screen or press the “retrieve” button to open the compartment. The interface is often in Chinese, but the room number is just digits, so you can do it without reading Chinese.

Delivery robots typically bring takeout, room service orders, or guest supplies (slippers, chargers, toiletries, etc.). Staff load the items in the lobby and enter your room number; the robot then takes the elevator, reaches your floor, and automatically calls your room phone when it arrives—usually within a few minutes from lobby to door. After you take your items, some compartments close automatically; others need you to close the door or press a “complete” button before the robot leaves. Some hotels also have lobby guide or info robots, usually touchscreen or voice, often in Chinese. The whole process is contactless. If the screen is confusing or won’t open, call the front desk and staff will sort it out.

The Real Rule

Mid-range and upscale Chinese hotels commonly use delivery robots. You order via room service, in-room TV, the hotel app, an in-room tablet, or the front desk. Once items reach the lobby, staff put them in the robot and enter your room number. The robot rides the elevator, finds your room, and automatically calls your room phone when it reaches your door (a few hotels use a knock or doorbell instead). You answer, open the door, and the robot is there. Some hotels also have lobby guide or info robots for directions and simple Q&A, usually with Chinese-only interfaces.

What happens when the delivery robot reaches your room:

Your room phone rings—when the robot arrives, the system automatically calls your room to tell you to pick up your items (a few hotels use a knock or doorbell instead)
You open the door and see the robot outside with a touchscreen and storage compartment
Unlocking: On most units you enter your room number on the screen to verify and open the compartment; on some you only need to press a single “retrieve” or “open” button—it varies by hotel and model
After you take your items, some compartments close automatically; others need you to close the door or press “close” or “complete” so the robot can leave

What lobby guide robots are like:

Usually touchscreen menus (floors, facilities, FAQs); some support voice, but mostly in Chinese
If the interface is unclear, go to the front desk or use gestures or a translation app

How to Handle It

When the Delivery Robot Arrives at Your Room

When your room phone rings (or you hear a knock or doorbell), open the door and enter your room number or press the “retrieve” button on the robot’s screen. The robot usually triggers an automatic call to your room when it arrives—answer and you’ll know it’s there. Most units require your room number (digits only) to unlock the compartment; a few only need a “retrieve” or “open” press. After taking your items, close the compartment or press “close” or “complete” (some close automatically). If the screen is confusing, won’t unlock, or the compartment won’t open, call the front desk and staff will bring the items or send someone to help.

When You Only See a Number Keypad

Just enter your room number. Many units only need the room number (e.g. 1208) to verify and unlock the compartment—no other Chinese options. If you get it wrong, try again or contact the front desk.

Lobby Guide or Info Robots

When you need information, go to the front desk first. Guide robots are usually Chinese-only touchscreens; if you can’t read them, go to the front desk and use English or a translation app (see Dealing with Language Barriers in China). You can try “Hello” or “English”; if there’s no response, ask a staff member.

When You Meet a Robot in the Corridor

Give it space; don’t block it or reach into its compartment. Only take items from the robot at your own door; don’t open the compartment on a robot that’s delivering to another room.

What Most Guides Don't Tell You

You don’t “call” the robot—the hotel sends it

Delivery robots are dispatched by the hotel. You order via room service, in-room TV, the hotel app, takeout, or the front desk. When items reach the lobby, staff load them into the robot and enter your room number. The robot delivers; when it reaches your door it automatically calls your room phone. You only need to answer the call (or hear the knock or doorbell), open the door, enter your room number or press retrieve, take your items, and close the door or press complete.

Your room number is the universal “password”; some units only need a retrieve press

On most units the compartment unlocks with your room number (digits only)—no Chinese required. On some you only press “retrieve” or “open” when the robot arrives. If the screen asks for “floor + room number” separately, enter the numbers in order.

When something goes wrong, the front desk is fastest

If the robot is stuck, the screen doesn’t respond, the compartment won’t open, or the delivery is for the wrong room, call the front desk or go there and explain. The hotel will send someone or switch to human delivery—no need to wait at the robot.

Not sure what to do? Tell the front desk "The robot is at my door but I can't open it" or show a translation: “机器人到了但我打不开，请帮忙。” (The robot is here but I can’t open it—please help.)

Quick Reference

DO:

• When your room phone rings (or you hear a knock or doorbell), open the door—the robot usually triggers an automatic call when it arrives • Enter your room number (digits only) or press “retrieve” or “open” on the robot’s screen to unlock the compartment; after taking items, close the door or press “close” or “complete” (some close automatically) so the robot can leave • If the screen is confusing or won’t open, call the front desk for help or human delivery • In the corridor, give the robot space and only take items from the one at your door

DON'T:

• Assume you have to “call” the robot—the hotel sends it once items are in the lobby • Spend a long time on complex Chinese menus on the screen—entering your room number is enough; if that doesn’t work, ask the front desk • Block the robot or open the compartment on one that’s delivering to another room • Ignore your room phone—when the robot arrives, the system automatically calls it to tell you to pick up

Many Chinese hotels use robots to deliver to your room. The core flow: answer the room call (or knock), open the door, enter your room number or press retrieve, take your items, close the door or press complete. The interface is often in Chinese, but the room number is digits—you can use it without Chinese. When in doubt, ask the front desk. For more on what to expect at Chinese hotels, see Hotels in China: What to Expect.

FAQ

Q: The robot arrived but I don’t know what to do.

Look at the robot’s screen. On most units it will prompt for your room number; enter it (e.g. 1208) to unlock the compartment and take your items. On some you only need to press “retrieve” or “open.” If there’s no prompt or you can’t understand it, call the front desk and say “Robot delivery, need help” or ask them to send someone.

Q: The screen is all in Chinese. Can I still get my items without reading Chinese?

On most units you only need to enter your room number (digits). On some you only press a single “retrieve” or “open” button when the robot arrives. If you have to tap Chinese options, try common buttons like “取货” (retrieve), “关门” (close), or “完成” (complete), or call the front desk for help.

Q: How do I get the robot to deliver something to me?

You don’t order from the robot. Order through room service, in-room TV, the hotel app, takeout, or the front desk. When items reach the lobby, staff put them in the robot and enter your room number; the robot delivers and automatically calls your room phone when it arrives. You just answer the call and open the door to pick up.

Q: Will the robot notify me when it arrives?

Yes. When the robot reaches your door, the system usually automatically calls your room phone—answer and you’ll know it’s there. A few hotels use a knock or doorbell instead. Open the door when you hear the call or knock.

Q: Do lobby guide robots have English?

Some support simple English; try “Hello” or “English.” Most are Chinese-only touchscreens; if you can’t read them, go to the front desk and use English or a translation app (see Dealing with Language Barriers in China).

Q: The robot is stuck in the corridor or not moving. What do I do?

Don’t move it or open the compartment yourself. Call the front desk, give your room number and the situation, and the hotel will send someone or switch to human delivery.

Related Guides:

Hotels in China: What to Expect
Dealing with Language Barriers in China
Essential Apps for China
Beijing City Guide — / [Shanghai City Guide](/destinations/shanghai
Shanghai City Guide

Hotel robot availability varies by city and hotel tier; they’re more common at three-star and above and in first- and second-tier cities. When something fails or you hit a language barrier, ask the front desk first.