A hotel in Sanya, Hainan Province is facing a 5,000-yuan ($767) fine for charging holiday beachgoers to use a nearby pay toilet, the People's Daily reported Sunday.
Local authorities accused the Yalong Bay Huayu Resort and Spa Hotel of charging visitors to the public Yalong Bay Beach a 10-yuan fee to use the surfside bathroom.
Authorities have since torn down the structure, arguing it was built without a permit and that the resort had violated China's Price Law, which requires approval for all imposed service fees.
A guest surnamed Sun uploaded photos showing crowds lining up outside the facility, claiming his father was charged 10 yuan to use the toilet February 9, China Youth Daily reported.
Sun wrote that hotel guests, however, could use the bathroom free of charge. "The next closest one was at least a 10-minute walk away."
The hotel maintained they had imposed the charge to cover extra operating costs needed to accommodate the swelled crowds during the Spring Festival rush.
After a bout of negotiations, the resort agreed to refund Sun's father the 10 yuan he was out.
