Getting a good night’s sleep is a lot easier in Shenzhen than it used to be. There are many new hotels that have opened in the last couple years with more on the way. Now it’s just a matter of choosing the location that works best for you.

Originally all the major businesses and shopping took place in the Luohu district 罗湖区 near the major train station. This area is still a top choice for shopping with Dongmen, King Glory Mall and of course the Luohu Commercial City (Mecca for all things). If you are visiting Shenzhen for business, Futian district (福田区) has many new international standard hotels. This is the place to be if you are attending a trade fair at the Shenzhen International Convention Center or need to be near the government offices. Got the kids in tow? Shenzhen has plenty of theme parks to keep them happy. The Overseas Chinese Town (华侨城) area in Nanshan district (南山区) is the place for you. Nanshan’s Shekou (南山区蛇口) area is Shenzhen’s unofficial expat ghetto. This is where you will want to stay for fun, restaurants and Western oriented culture. The ferry to Hong Kong and Hong Kong Airport is in this neighborhood as well.

What if you just need a beach break or really want to get away from the city? Check out the resorts in the Eastern area of Yantian District (盐田区) or head to the hills in Bao’an District (宝安区) for an incredible golf and spa experience. You can contact the hotels directly or check out www.ctrip.com, www.elong.com, or www.sinohotels.com to compare prices.

If you are dealing directly with the hotel ask about promotional or special rates. Make sure you bring along a copy of the hotel’s name and address in Chinese as Shenzhen taxi drivers are not usually English speaking. -Mary Ann MacCartney