Hotels in Dandong

A recent boom in hotels in Dandong means that travelers have a lot more choices and bargaining power. The new and only five-star hotel, Crowne Plaza Dandon (Dandong Huangguan Jiari Jiudian), Binjiang Zhong Lu 158 (tel. 0415/318-9999; fax 0415/318-9888; www.crowneplaza.com; ¥1,180-¥1,280, over 50% discount available; 15% service charge; AE, DC, MC, V), offers the best and most luxurious rooms in town. Situated in the west end of the river, it is comparatively a bit far from downtown. Its American-style rooms are cozy, filled with wooden furniture and equipped with a LCD TV and a computer. Bathrooms have comfy bathtub and shower cubicle.

Sunny Resort Hotel (Dandong Jiari Yangguang Jiudian), Xian Qian Jie 1 (tel. 0415/288-3333; fax 0415/288-7999; www.jryghotel.com) has clean and modern rooms, with a soothing ambience (¥288-¥428; 15% service charge; AE, DC, MC, V). Another four-star hotel is the Zhonglian Hotel (Zhonglian Jiudian), Shangmao Luyou Qu, A Qu 1 (tel. 0415/317-0666; fax 0415/317-0888; www.zlhotel.com.cn), located opposite the Yalu Jiang Qiao. The hotel offers a nice Western food buffet, a bowling center, and surprisingly large rooms with generously sized beds and impeccable bathrooms (¥388-¥518; AE, DC, MC, V). The hotel cafe looks onto North Korea; come with a pair of binoculars that you can use to gaze at North Korea from rooms overlooking the river. Next to it is a budget hotel, Dandong Pulisi Super 8 Hotel (Dandong Puli Suba Jiudian), Zhong Lu 64 (tel. 0415/2312-2222; www.super8.com.cn; ¥188-¥298; AE, DC, MC, V). Opened in 2007, the hotel has guest rooms that are spacious but lack character; the shower-only bathrooms are kept clean. Some rooms overlook the Yalu Jiang Qiao. Life's Business Hotel (Laifushi Shangwu Kuaijie Jiudian), Liu Wei Lu 29 (tel. 0415/213-9555; www.lifeshotel.com; ¥198-¥298; cash only), has clean standard rooms with a minimal style and provides free broadband Internet access, though carpets are somewhat stained. It also has rooms decorated with special themes and is within walking distance to the Yalu Jiang Park and Bridge. The Jiangbin Hotel, Fangba 5 Hao Lou (tel. 0415/315-3748; fax 0415/314-2835; V) is one of the best values in town, with stylish, modern rooms -- complete with computer and free Internet access -- facing the river (¥300-¥600; 40% discount available).