Taking part in the formulation of "the Standard for Chinese Hotel Air-Conditioning Energy Consumption," the authors study the thermal characteristics and carry out dynamic simulation of annual air-conditioning(heating) energy consumption of six well-known hotels located in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhon. This paper particularly analyses how the architectural design and the thermal characteristics (including building orientation, building plane, wal lstructure, window area and structure) effect air-conditioning load and air-conditioning energy consumption. Some views and suggestions on methods of architectural design are put forward, which aim to reduce energy costs, capital costs, and space requirement.