What hotels in Guangzhou am I allowed to stay in without a visa on a 17 hour layover?

Can anyone tell me which hotels a US person on a <24 hour stay permit can stay in in Guangzhou? I have read in this forum that the Pullman qualifies. Are there others?

I called China Southern airlines and was told that there are no airport hotels and that I would have to get a visa. She also said that it is not allowed to stay overnight in the airport. So I would have to buy a visa for each family member (5 x $140). I hope this is incorrect.

She did say that she could request a hotel for me but that it would be outside the airport.

Can someone who has been in that situation tell me of their experience to verify or contradict China Southern's representative?