What are some good places to stay (hotel, hostel, homestay, or otherwise) in Jiaozuo?

I suggest you live near JZ Railway Station, where you can have easy access to many hotels in different standards, especially for the economical hotels.

Yingjia Express Hotel, located at Zhanqian Road.
Hongshulin Shishang Kuaijie Hotel, located at No. 59 Middle Minzhu Road.
Shengjia Apartment Hotel, located at Zhanqian road.
Central Express Hotel, located at No. 87 Zhanqian Road.