"Home Inn" (www.homeinns.com) is a chain of more than 100 two star hotels all over China - there are more than 15 in Tianjin itself.

It is among the better two star hotels. Room rates are 179 RMB for a single and 199 for a double. Excellent value for money! Spotless clean bathroom with the usual soap, toothbrush, etc. The room was neat, spacious, modern, with tv, heater, and surprise - a bundle of books in the room to read (including Peter Drucker's The effective executive)!! Never seen that in a hotel before!

Best part - free broadband internet in the room.

The restaurant below serves a good sumptous breakfast (Chinese with enough for other nationalities to fill their palate with) for 12 RMB.

It is also very centrally located - 10 mins walk from Tianjin train station (Beijing is just 40 mins and 58 RMB away), and about 10 RMB by a motor-trishaw (tricab) to the Ancient Culture street. There is a 24 hr Mc Donaldsand a KFC close to the stn - near the beautiful millenium clock tower.

Cons -

One person at the reception speaks a bit of English. There is no money change service and only RMB is accepted. (You can change your USD at any of the dozen banks located a street away, timings 9 to 5)

Better to stay here - especially if you expect to be out in the open sight seeing during the day.

(PS - There is another Home Inn 10 mins away of the other side of the river, closer to the train station, with more eateries closeby)