Stayed at the Poly Plaza in Beijing. Freelancers walk the lobby at night, quality varies. Opted for a massage inside the hotel and when I explained I wanted a "very relaxing" massage, they picked up the phone and 2 minutes later a very sweet young girl showed up, took me to a room, pretended to rub my back for a minute or two and then pointed to Mr. Happy and smiled. We went up to my room and concluded our arrangements. Cost was 1000 RMB, including 300 for hotel massage facility!
Stayed at the Equatorial in Shanghai. Once again, supply is plentiful. Got a decent in-house massage with happy ending for extra 200 RMB. For what it's worth, it was a very nice massage, too
Same night, picked up a freelancer at in-house nightclub (very fine girl) for too much money - 1600 RMB - including 200 for mamasan, who sits in bar with girls and handles the business end of transaction. Didn't see much activity in general area outside hotel but just head on down to Nanjing Donglu, near the Bund and you will be regularly approached by freelancers offering to join you for "coffee" in your hotel. Quality varies considerably, however... Was actually working in Nanning so no chance for fun. Appears to be a quiet little town but, once again, even though I didn't actually partake, just like every hotel I've been to so far, there were in-house massage facilities with service until 2am every night. (point being, exactly WHO wants to get a legitimate massage at 12 or 1am in the morning???)
Been in Shenzhen for 2-3 days now and I've actually been visiting a few friends so no hobbying yet, but tonight and tomorrow night I am a free man ;) Staying at the Shangri-La and there is constant harrassment by touts just outside the hotel lobby. Not exactly my style, but easy enough to arrange if you're so inclined. Will try the in-house massage facilities and possibly the hotel bar tonight and maybe something a little more "frisky" tomorrow. Will post another update after I arrive in HK if I've anything interesting to report.
Finally, just a general bit about hotel security, etc. Every (4- and 5-star) hotel I've stayed at posts signs or puts literature in-room about hotel guest restrictions and/or prostitution. Since this is my first extended trip to China, I was a bit daunted at first but based on what I've written so far, it should be obvious that as long as you don't carry around a great big sign the hotels will gladly turn a blind eye to your obvious activities. Best example of this was the hotel bar in Shanghai...while I was making my arrangements with the mamasan, there were 2-3 hotel "security" persons (I am NOT talking about waitresses) in an otherwise almost completely empty bar watching the entire event. My conclusion is that part of the mamasans job is to arrange "permission" for the right to ply her trade...
TD