I stayed at the Harbin International Hotel for three nights while I was in the city for vacation, and it was a great choice. Though the hotel is a little worn around the edges (fraying carpet in the room, exposed pipes under the bathroom sink), it is comfortable and clean, and offers a wonderfully hot shower! The hotel is not in the touristy Daoli Qu neighborhood, but rather about 10-15 minutes away by bus--I liked being away from the chaos of the tourist zone, though others might not want to be so far away. I had a super-discount rate that didn't include breakfast, but there are plenty of quick dining options in the area--local vendors and KFC, most notably. Also, if you walk left out of the hotel's front door, about 3 minutes down the street there's a Carrefour shopping center, where you can purchase snacks, drinks, and anything you've forgotten. The staff was very pleasant and unobtrusive. I can't comment on their levels of English proficiency because I spoke Chinese with them all the time. Overall, the hotel was a perfect place to stay and retreat from the hustle and bustle of the more touristy areas.