‘宾馆’ (bīnguǎn) is a formal, standard term for ‘hotel’ in Chinese — a commercial establishment that provides lodging, meals, and services to travelers and guests. The character 宾 (bīn) means ‘guest’ or ‘visitor’, while 馆 (guǎn) refers to a ‘building’, ‘hall’, or ‘institution’ (e.g., library, restaurant). Together, they literally mean ‘guest hall’, emphasizing the function of welcoming and accommodating visitors.

This word is widely used across mainland China in signage, official documents, travel apps, and everyday speech. It carries a neutral-to-formal register — more common than ‘酒店’ (jiǔdiàn) in government or business contexts, though both are understood. Unlike colloquial terms like ‘旅店’ (lǚdiàn), which suggests smaller or budget accommodations, ‘宾馆’ typically implies mid-range to upscale facilities with front desks, room service, and standardized amenities.