Budget Hotels & Hostels
Apartments
Guesthouses and B&Bs
Fairmont Peace Hotel
If anywhere in town fully conveys the swish sensations of 1930s Shànghǎi, it’s the old Cathay, which rises majestically from the Bund...
Park Hyatt Shanghai
Spanning the 79th to 93rd floors of the towering Shànghǎi World Financial Center, this soaring hotel is the world’s second highest hotel above ground level (at the time of writing): Pǔdōng’s huge towers dwarf into Lego blocks as lobby views graze t...
Astor House Hotel
Stuffed with history (and perhaps a ghost or two), this august old-timer shakes up an impressive cocktail from select ingredients: a location just off the Bund, old-world, Shànghǎi-era charm, great discounts and colossal rooms...
Marvel Hotel Shanghai
Occupying the former YMCA building (1931) just south of People’s Square, the Marvel is one of the city’s standout midrange hotels...
Urbn Hotel Shanghai
China’s first carbon- neutral hotel not only incorporates recyclable materials and low-energy products where possible, it also calculates its complete carbon footprint – including staff commutes and delivery journeys – and offsets it by donating mon...
The Opposite House
Artworks litter the lobby area and rooms are top-drawer chic with American oak bathtubs, open-plan bathrooms, underfloor heating and gorgeous mood lighting; the metal basin swimming pool and fastidiously trendy Mesh bar round out a totally sleek bou...
Peking International Youth Hostel
The discreet, central alleyway location is the icing on this particular cake, parcelled away off Nanchizi Dajie, a guidebook's throw from the Forbidden City...
Michael's House Beijing
Ele-gant, quiet and convivial courtyard-style hotel with grey-brick styling and helpful, traditionally attired staff...
Tengchong International Youth Hostel
Fronting a redone public square just off the main road, this gem is one of the finest hostels in China. The dorms have great, thick mattresses, while the spacious standard rooms have sparkling bathrooms...
Lotusland Hostel Train Station
Lotusland is a hostel pioneer in Nánníng. Everything feels clean and spanking new. Shared bathrooms only, but they are sparkling. It's a relatively easy 15-minute walk (about 900m) from the train station...
Yangshuo Outside Inn
Run by a Swiss family, this fabulous farmhouse-turned hostel surrounded by rural vistas is located 4km southwest of Yángshuò...
The Jade Emu International Hostel
This Aussie-owned and run venture smack in the shadow of Cāng Shān (a five-minute walk from the old town) sets the standard for hostels in Dàlǐ...
Sims Cozy Garden Hostel
This fabulous place sprawling its way around two lush garden courtyards is certainly the best hostel in Chéngdū, and quite possibly the best of its kind in China...
Hangzhou West Lake Youth House
Tucked away among the trees and foliage east of Jìngcí Temple, with pleasant rooms and comfy lounge-bar area (Tstingtao Y10) hung with lanterns, this place enjoys both character and a sense of seclusion; reserve ahead...
Zhuo Ma's Jiuzhaigou Home Stay
A genuine Tibetan homestay, this beautifully decorated wood cabin in a tiny village about 10km up the valley from the main park has three simple rooms and a wonderfully accommodating family...
Anda Guesthouse
This place is developing a good reputation among backpackers, thanks to its friendly, English-speaking staff and cosy atmosphere. The bathrooms could do with some renovation but the dorms and doubles are clean and brightly lit...
Jianguo Hotel Beijing
A recent refit has modestly galvanised an ageing formula, although old touches persist and the hotel finds itself rather like Běijīng: suspended between two eras...
Sofitel Wanda Chengdu
From service to facilities, this is the best hotel in town at the moment. Basic rooms are filled with mirrors, exotic vases and naughty 360-degree glass showers looking into the bedrooms...
Jia Shanghai
This stylish boutique hotel is housed in a charming 1920s building that has been re-imagined as a hip short-term residence...
Oriental Riverside Hotel
Instantly recognisable for its gaudy glass globes echoing the baubles of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, this five-star hotel on the east bank of the Huangpu River is attached to the Shanghai International Convention Centre Hotel...
Sofitel Shanghai Hyland
Standard doubles in this central hotel are a bit dated, but the executive rooms are more modern with chunky wood furnishings and more perks (including wi-fi)...
Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao
This Marriott is a reasonable choice if you’re doing business in the Hóngqiáo area...