EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Dalian is choked with five-star hotels charging ¥800 for a room, and so it can seem too expensive to stay for more than a night. One thing to remember is that it's a beach town, meaning that rates out of season (Sept-March) are usually half those in summer. Be sure to try bargaining wherever you go, as the supply of hotel space in the city outnumbers the demand. There are some budget options around Shengli and Zhongshan squares in the heart of the city.

Dalian Binguan , 4 Zhongshan Square (tel 0411/2633111, fax 2634363). A stylish old place, built by the Japanese in 1927, who also constructed the Bank of China across the way. The grandeur is worth it if you can afford it, and breakfast is included in the rates. ¥300-500.

Friendship , Third Floor, 137 Renmin Lu (tel 0411/2634121 ext 360). Above the Friendship Store. Nobody speaks English and the place isn't very efficiently run, but the rooms are nice enough. ¥300-500.

Furama , 60 Renmin Lu (tel 0411/2630888, fax 2804455). A very upscale Japanese hotel on Renmin Lu, this place has every imaginable facility, a lobby big enough for Wanda to play in and palatial rooms. Standard doubles start at ¥1100. ¥700 and over.

Golden Plaza , 189 Tianjin Jie (tel 0411/2813188, fax 2648288). Nice three-star hotel right in the heart of the shopping area. Doubles from ¥786. ¥700 and over.

Holiday Inn , 18 Shengli Square (tel 0411/2808888, fax 2809704). Brand new and downtown next to the train station. Doubles from ¥1060 in summer, ¥500 in winter. ¥300 and over.

Huaneng , 4 Binhai Lu (tel 0411/2401939, fax 2400734). Two-star hotel overlooking Fujiazhuang Beach. ¥150-300.

Soldier's Guesthouse , 596 Zhongshan Lu (tel 0411/4803628). South of centre, near Xinghai Park and the aquarium; take trolley #202 and get off at Xing Hai Jie Er Zhan. Dalian's best budget option, this place is cheap, clean and friendly, and has good heating and air conditioning. Plus, the concierge wears a PLA uniform. It's near-empty out of season, when ¥45 (a third of the triple room price) can get you your own room with bath, TV and view of the ocean, and you pay your fraction of the fee and can share a room if you're alone. ¥100-150.

Tourist Hotel , corner of Tianjin Jie and Bao'an Jie (tel 0411/2807880). No-frills flophouse overlooking central shopping area. ¥150-200.

Yaduda Fandian , 126 Zhongshan Lu (tel 0411/3633560, 3633860 or 3633470 ext 8899 or 8888). A rare, clean budget place near Shengli Square and the train station, offering good discounts in the winter. Dorms ¥30-75, doubles ¥100-150.