Thanks. I'm just being thorough (it's obsessive-compulsive ). I'm just curious how you know that the rate applies only to Chinese citizens. I'll explain what I did.

So I go to ctrip.com (the Chinese webpage).

I put in "shanghai" and the dates (2005-12-20 and 2005-12-22). Then I hit "cha xun" (inquire).

You're right that there're a lot of hotels listed.

So I go to the left column and type in "Okura" and check the box that says that I want to search by the English name.

Hit "cha xun" again, and I get your rate of RMB 850. (This is a fast shortcut to get straight to the Okura webpage.)

I guess I don't see why a foreigner can't book this rate.

I hit the "yu ding" (i.e. reserve), but obviously I don't have an account.

So I hit "zhu ce" (register) and it seems like I can register as a non Chinese user. (Under city I can select "outside of China.&quot

But I guess it's possible that my credit card will be rejected. The payment options are airline cards/bank cards/"lian ming ka" (not sure what the last option is).

I didn't go any further than this.

Thanks again!

By the way, you've been very helpful -- I just thought that if someone else reads Chinese and can navigate this site, it'd be useful for them to know if they can book a hotel at a specific rate.

And this might be useful for a future trip (who knows when) so that's why I'm checking it.

Thanks again.

ctrip is located in Shanghai, and you can get their phone number from their website. I know you must have cheap rate to call China. It's not too late to call them about Okura. They were helpful when I called them a few years ago speaking Shanghai dialet. They all speak Mandarin and you should have no difficulty.

A year ago we stayed at the New Harbour service apts. For $121 per night my family had a nicely furnished three bedroon apartment with two baths and a small kitchen. Included in the tariff was a free breakfast in a very nice diningroom. The location was ideal, We walked to the Bund, it was about a 5 minute walk to People's Square. There was a supermarket across the street and streets full of interesting shops. Look for them on the web.

I've stayed at the Palace Hotel on Peoples Square, rates were very reasonable (60 to 70 USD), rooms were clean, and the entire hotel is being upgraded to 5 star (Chinese 5 star?), so the rate might be higher this year. I've stayed there 2 years about this time of year. I found it so convenient because 2 subway lines intersect at Peoples Square. I used the subway to save time and avoid waiting in taxis because of traffic.
The subway system is very easy to figure out, and it gets you to almost every part of town. Sometimes a short taxi ride from the nearest stop is all that is needed. It is on Nanging Road, and a nice walk to the bund.

111op: Sure like to get a feedback from you on Park Hotel after your return and rested up.

Again, have a great and safe trip.

To emsel: Are you sure it's Palace Hotel? Could it be Park Hotel?

I would definetly reccommend the Peace Hotel. All the way!! I stayed there last year and it really is a nice place and a great landmark. It was one of the first hotels in the area and it has so many great points and an interesting history. Excellent location- right on the Bund and close to Najing Road (which is full on shops and a market on Nanjing Lane). You can see the Pearl Tower from the Hotel too. It has a great rooftop view and restaurant of the river, Pearl tower and alot of the city. The rooms are clean and bathrooms seem quite luxury (considering we didnt have the most $$ room).
Go for it. China is an experience and you should stay somewhere thats unique to the city.Peace Hotel is the way to go!

Thanks. I'll write back about the Park Hotel. asiarooms.com has confirmed the reservation at $70 a night.

I didn't have time to call ctrip.com in Shanghai. I figured that this is a price difference of 38 yuan = 888 - 850 and I'm not even sure if I qualify for the 850 yuan rate. I was busy trying to pack and was basically scrambling.

Anyway, I'm leaving after work today. Thanks, again, to everyone for your speedy thoughts and suggestions.

The hotels turned out well:

http://tinyurl.com/aw2ad

Thanks again, everyone.