This hotel in in walking distance from the main railway station - just look for the old steel bridge near the ornamental clock from the south exit. The price for a standard single room was 209 RMB in October 2010. I walked along Binjian Dao right to the centre of town in about 30 minutes, past the huge International Trade Centre. Its also in the next block to the Tianjin Financial Museum which costs 10 RMB, and there was an English speaking guide on duty when I was there which made it worthwhile.

The hotel is recommended in the 2010 Lonely Planet guide to China, but I have to say that booking it can be difficult unless you speak Chinese. I could not have stayed there without the help of Chinese friends. It will be booked out around a week in advance over public holidays.

The restaurant was good value, the housekeeping staff said "Ni hao" to me, and my room was quiet, so in all it was a positive experience.

"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)