Can I apply for a residence permit when staying in a hotel?

I can't. According to Article 10 of the Provisional Regulations on Residence Permit, the residence permit is issued by the public security organ of the people's government at the county level, with an endorsement of 1 time every year. If the holder of residence permit lives continuously in the place of residence, he shall go through the endorsement formalities at the local police station or community service agency entrusted by the public security organ within 1 month before the date of residence, so he cannot apply for residence permit when staying in a hotel. Residence permit is an attempt made by some developed cities in China to learn from the "green card" system of developed countries, which has accumulated experience for China to formulate skilled migration measures and eventually form the national "green card" system of China.