Hotel staff in north-eastern China have been left stunned after discovering the astonishing state of a room occupied by a guest who had been living there for almost two years. The man, described by employees as a dedicated online gamer, had been a resident at a specialised esports hotel in Changchun, the capital of Jilin Province, since 2023.
A Guest Unseen
According to staff at the hotel, which is designed for gaming enthusiasts with high-tech equipment and fast internet, the lodger was a virtual ghost. He was rarely seen outside his private room, with some employees stating they had never met him in person. The full, grim reality of his tenancy was only revealed after he finally checked out on 12 December.
A Scene of Squalor Revealed
Footage captured by hotel staff after his departure shows a curtain-drawn chamber transformed into a landfill. The space was overwhelmed with fast food packaging, takeaway containers, empty bottles, and vast quantities of used toilet paper. In one corner, a pile of refuse reached several feet high, flanked by two gaming chairs almost completely submerged in the detritus.
The bathroom was found in an equally dire condition. Behind the toilet bowl, a colossal mound of soggy tissue paper was stacked high, while layers of grime coated much of the floor. The scene depicted a profound level of neglect accumulated over a two-year period.
The Costly Aftermath
As reported by local media, cleaning crews spent three full days removing the waste and disinfecting the room. Hotel management confirmed that despite this intensive cleanup, visible damage remains and the room will require renovation before it can be let again.
Compounding the issue, staff revealed the departing guest still owes more than 10 days' worth of accommodation fees, amounting to nearly £300. They suspect financial difficulties may have prompted his sudden exit. The hotel stated the incident has not been reported to police and there are no current plans to pursue liability, with the guest's details protected by privacy regulations.
This incident follows another recent case of hotel misconduct in China, where a tourist who intentionally flooded her room after being denied a refund was ordered to pay over £3,000 in damages. The woman had booked a budget room in Hainan for just £12 but demanded a full refund 30 minutes after check-in. She refused a complimentary upgrade offered by staff, leading to the destructive act and the subsequent hefty penalty.
