Here are a few more tips:
1) book a "pay at the hotel" rate on ctrip at 3 properties
2) go to the best one
3) if you like the room, tell the hotel people that you want the "pay online" rate, and book it yourself on the spot, or let them match it
-they usually can't match it, but if they do, you'll save ~20% because the rate ctrip displays on its English site does not include their new service charge