Royal Pagoda found in Los Angeles Motel

Before we get to the details, let's have one thing sorted out - what's a royal pagoda? Well, see, a pagoda is a real stacked up Asian broad - you know, like a big base, a smaller one on top of the base, and another nice one on top of that, and so on. A royal pagoda, we assume, must be one fit for a king, or made for a king.

Which is what the Royal Pagoda Motel in downtown Los Angeles set to be, but the ravages of time have wreaked havoc on this royal dwelling, and it is now what it was meant to be - just another of the many cheap and highly unmemorable Los Angeles motels you'll find dotting downtown.

It's definitely not the Westin Bonaventure, but it's still not so bad, if you consider what they offer - cable TV, free parking and direct access to rooms from the exterior, air conditioning, complimentary toileteries, magentic keys, rollaway beds, hairdryer, iron & board, and microwave (all 4 available on request), in-room refrigirator and wake-up calls.

There's a 24 hour front desk, and free coffee in the lobby. Must be mentioned here that if you're sitting in a motel drinking coffee while the sun shines over the brilliant Los Angeles beaches, then you probably need to have your head examined.

Anyway, the Royal Pagoda's 35 rooms divided into 2 stories offer, in addition to the above mentioned amenities, also offer private bathroms with showers, with a choice of two double beds, 1 King bed or a deluxe unit with two doubles and an attached kitchenette.

The Royal Pagoda is located about 3 miles from Staples Center, 6-7 miles from Hollywood and nearly 10 miles to Universal Studios and the other major Los Angeles attractions, but if you're in the mood for Chinese food and an Asian environment, then you're definitely in the right place.

Info: 995 N Broadway Los Angeles CA 90012; (323) 223-3381; http://royalpagodamotel.com/

Enjoy Ascot at Motel in Atlantic City

Let's keep it simple - the aptly named Ascot Motel is a single block off the casinos and guilty pleasures of the Atlantic City Boardwalk. It offers free garage parking, an outdoor pool and a free continental breakfast. And that's about all that's expected from Atlantic City motels.

It works something like this - you come in with your pockets full, park your ride in the garage, check-in and stow your bag, take a shower and then hit the Atlantic City attractions. Late at night, you come out of the casinos, pockets empty, drunk and feeling wretched that they cleaned out your clock. You walk straight to the hell-raising bars lined up alongside one of the most famed New Jersey beaches, drink away the sorrow and head back to your motel, drunk as a skunk.

Take a nice dip in the pool, cool off a bit and go to bed broke and tired. When you wake up, you still got your car and your bag, you eat the free breakfast, and then you hightail it out of AC, a lot wiser, and a lot less richer. That's how Atlantic City makes money, and the best that can be said is that it's an experience. And the Ascot Motel isn't half as bad as some other motels you could have ended up at.

In addition to the aforementioned pool, breakfast and parking, they also offer a 24-hr front desk, free local calls, housekeeping, hair dryers and iron & ironing boards (on request), a microwave and coffee in the lobby, and the 80 guest rooms are kitted out with cable TV, refrigerators and shower/tub combo. Rollaway beds and cribs available on request. You get all this for rates from $70.

The Tropicana Hotel Coffee shop is nearby, and so are restaurants like Cuba Libre and the Baltimore Grill.

Info: 101 N Iowa Ave Atlantic City NJ 08401; (877) 747-8713

Is Mart Plaza the best place to Holiday inn Chicago?

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do. One of these great American traditions happens to be the annual vacation. You slave all year round, scrimp on the little luxuries, and save up enough - so you can blow it all in a weekend of sun n'sand, or shopping and wining and dining.

It's your right, and you deserve it, recession be damned. That's why employers offer paid vacation leave, and travel companies offer family vacation packages. And most often, it's places like New York and Los Angeles which benefit from this tradition, as middle America heads for the coasts. But in the mid-west, Chicago is King. There is other city remotely close to getting the kind of expereince that Chicago vacations offer.

And one of the main beneficiaries of this annual tourist deluge is the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, located adjacent to the Chicago Merchandise Mart, minutes from the Loop, and with the best views of all Downtown Chicago. Within walking distance, you'll find great restaurants, intimate wine bars, exotic art galleries, stunning architecture, and a wealth of other unique Chicago attractions. Most importantly, it's also within walking distance of Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile shopping district.

The Holiday Inn offers 521 guest rooms, including 4 suites, the Cityscape bar - which, as the name suggests, offers sweeping views of Chicago, free wireless internet, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, meeting and banquet facilities for weddings and corporate events.

At any given time, the hotel has at least half a dozen specials, discounts and group package deals. Course, you could cut down much more if you choose to stay at one of the relatively cheap Chicago motels like the Heart O'Chicago. But there isn't really much point in saving up all year for a vacation, and then trying to save money on the vacation too. That would make you Uncle Scrooge.

The whole point is to go out and have fun and be treated like royalty for a couple of days. And that's what you get at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza.

Info: 350 West Mart Center Drive Chicago IL 60654; (312) 836-5000; www.martplaza.com/

Wonderful Days at Hotel inn Broadway NYC

The Days Hotel Broadway is a throwback to the golden days of yore when Bohemians ruled the Big Apple, and successful artists weren't measured by the size of their condo. Those days are gone, but the Days Hotel still offers rooms as cheap as any you'll find at New York motels, while their facilities and location are as good, if not better, than any $250 hotel in the Upper West Side.

The Days Inn is located two subway stops to Times Square & the Theater District. It's close to Columbia University, and just a short stroll to Central Park and all the surrounding major tourist attractions in New York.

The 214 guest rooms at the Days Inn offer you free wireless hi-speed internet, free coffee maker and coffee in guestrooms, hair dryer, in-room safe, complimentary news paper, iron & ironing board. A discounted parking garage, business center and fitness room are available for your use. Refrigirator, cribs, rollaway beds, etc. available for free, upon request.

The hotel also offers laundry and dry cleaning services and a shuttle service. Key West diner is just around the corner, there'sa 24 hr Deli across the street, and plenty of restaurants and pubs within walking distance, including the original Carmine's Restaurant.

Rates from $84 per night.

Info: 215 W 94th Street New York NY 10025; (212) 866-6400; www.dayshotelnyc.com/

Budget Host Travelers Motel in Alexandria, VA

Searching for Washington motels is actually a fool's errand. Nobody has a nice house in Washington DC except for the President and his buddies. That's because everyone lives across the 'pond' in Alexandria, VA.

So when in Washington, do as Virginians do. Find yourself a cheap budget motel in Alexandria. There's plenty to choose from, but unquestionably the best of the lot is the aptly named 'Budget Host Travelers Motel.'

It's located at Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1, on 5916 Richmond Highway, just minutes away from the attractions in Washington DC, and just a 1/2 mile from the Huntington Metro Subway station.

And best part is that inspite of being relatively cheap, and centrally located, the motel is a perfectly family-friendly place, offering cribs and non-smoking rooms with free parking, complimentary newspapers, high speed internet and cable TV.

Of course, the motel is pretty old, but it's been well maintained, and it's an American family-owned motel. They even have a some books piled up for guests to read near the ice machine. Nightly rates start from around $95. Nice bed, with a reading lamp above the headboard and another one on the table stand next to the bed. Window is a bit small, but then, if you want a room with a view in Washington DC, then you go to the Hay-Adams and pay $600+ for a view of the White House.

All said and done, the Budget Host Travelers Motel, as the name suggests, will allow you to actually spend your money on the pleasures of Washington DC vacations, as opposed to lining the already fat bottonlines of a big hotelier.

Info: 5916 Richmond Highway Alexandria VA 22303; (703) 329-1310

Motel for Surf-er Dudes in Carlsbad, CA

Surf's up, Dude! Why are you still asleep in your motel? Open the door, and you'll step right out on to the golden sands and brilliant weather of one of the best San Diego beaches. Because you're at the Surf Motel in Carlsbad, CA.

The Surf Motel, located right across the street from Carlsbad State Beach, is one of the few remaining classic San Diego motels where you can actually enjoy an extended stay. It's not like your usual motel with seedy transients and peeling walls and stuff. This motel was built to cater to the surf-crazy Californians of yesteryear whose sole ambition in life was to perfect the art of surfing.

If you're looking to spend all your time right on the beach, and not let anything get between you and the water, then this is the right place to be at. It's plenty cheap, has a range of accomodations to suit all kinds of preferences - 28 newly-renovated guest rooms and suites ranging from King, King with kitchenette suite, Queen, 2 Queens and 2 Queens with kitchenette suite.

Each room/suite is equipped with a coffee maker, hairdryer and cable TV, refrigerator and microwave. The Surf Motel also offers amenities like a heated outdoor pool and guest laundry facilities. You get complimentary contiental breakfast each morning. The in-house Armenian Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

The Surf Motel also offers package specials including a Legoland package, one for romantic getways, another one for a beach getaway, and one for shopping. More details here.

Info: 3136 Carlsbad Blvd Carlsbad CA 92008; (760) 729-7961; www.surfmotelcarlsbad.com/