Is it legal for the hotel deposit not to be refunded?

Legal analysis: If it is advance payment or "deposit", the hotel can return it. If it is a "deposit", it cannot be refunded, which is stipulated by law, because the deposit is punitive; You'd better find out what you received first, which is the key to dealing with the problem, so you must be clear; If it is really an advance payment or deposit, if it cannot be refunded, you can sue in the local court first and ask for a refund of the deposit.

Legal basis: Article 586 of the Civil Code, the parties may agree that one party shall pay a deposit to the other party as a guarantee for the creditor's rights. The deposit contract is established when the deposit is actually paid. The amount of the deposit shall be agreed by the parties; However, it shall not exceed 20% of the subject matter of the main contract, and the excess shall not have the effect of deposit. If the actual amount of deposit paid is more than or less than the agreed amount, it shall be deemed as a change of the agreed amount of deposit.