The main problem in China is that not many people outside the bigger hotels speak English.
And even in the bigger hotels it is hit and miss. Just was staying in the Intercontinental in Chengdu (great hotel, reasonable priced). Call for Turn Down service - the person tries to repeat turn down and you notice she has no clue what i wanted. Call for luggage pickup - and 2 min later somebody shows up to pick up the laundry. And ask for a Latte at breakfast and you get a look like you just ordered a pregnant baby elephant with crispy skin.....

So as long as you don't speak some mandarin i would recommend staying with the better known brads, which are very reasonable priced in China.

Check out the websites of the hotels directly, try agoda.com (only good experiences so far), wotif.com, asiahotels.com, asiarooms.com.

If you are looking for 5 star hotel recommendations PM me. I have been in most of the places you plan to visit.