Is There a Motel on the Sea Shore in Santa Monica?

Yes, indeedy. That's the Sea Shore Motel, two blocks from Santa Monica's beach, located on Main Street, along with some of the city's best restaurants, funky coffee houses, retail stores and boutiques, art galleries, and the other attractions in Santa Monica.


You can count on your fingertips the number of indie motels in Los Angeles, and out of this handful, there must be less than 3-4 motels which are not plagued by unsavory transients and other nefarious elements.


One of these hard-to-find clean motels is the Sea Shore Motel. It's location within walking distance of the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach ensures that it remains popular among tourists inspite of being a motel, and this popularity in turn ensures that the management keep the place 'family-friendly', in a manner of speaking. Of course, in Los Angeles, the whole family-friendly concept is a bit hazy, but relatively speaking, the Sea Shore Motel is not a dump.


The 19 standard rooms, 1 junior suite, and 4 deluxe suites feature in-room refrigerators, free cable television, terra-cotta tile floors, and granite counter tops. The suite also has a sitting room and a microwave oven. The motel offers free parking, a sun deck, an on-site restaurant, and a laundromat right next door. Rates from $105 onwards.

Info: 2637 Main Street Santa Monica CA 90405; (310) 392-2787; www.seashoremotel.com/

California Suites You? Extended Stay Lodging in San Diego

That's the California Suites Hotel in San Diego, which offers budget rooms at prices comparable to any of the other San Diego motels, has extended stay options on a weekly and monthly pricing structure, and, as the name implies, offers suites and amenities good enough to compare against any decent hotel.

Basically, the California Suites is whatever type of lodging you want it to be, as long as you append the word 'cheap' to all shapes and sizes of accomodations offered. Standard rates from $59. If you stay for 2 nights, you get a 15% discount, so it becomes $50, and if you book in for 3 nights, you get a 20% discount, so you end up paying $47 per night for the standard room. If you want a standard room with 2 double beds, then the rate varies from $51 to $64, depending on how long you stay. For extended stay options, the rates are even lower.

The standard room with one queen bed comes kitted out with internet access (surcharge), premium TV channels, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board (on request), complimentary newspaper, cable/satellite TV, air conditioning, housekeeping (daily), cribs and rollaway beds (on request), and hair dryer. All rooms have a refrigerator, microwave, table and chairs.

Amenities offered include outdoor swimming pool, air-conditioned public areas, complimentary newspaper in lobby, spa tub, laundry facilities, complimentary breakfast, and safe-deposit box. The rooms overlook a neat and flourishing courtyard garden in the center, next to the pool, with a fountain and statues and all.

Breakfast buffet includes cereal, breads, Danish, muffins, bagels, cream cheese, fruit spreads, fresh fruit, juices, coffee, tea, espresso or hot chocolate.

Best of all, the California Suites offers a good central location as a base for your vacations in San Diego. It's only 15 minutes away from San Diego International Airport, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, major shopping centers, and San Diego's white sandy beaches.

Info: 5415 Clairemont Mesa Blvd San Diego CA 92117; (858) 560-0545; www.californiasuiteshotel.com/

Weekend in DC at the Morrison-Clark Historic Hotel

Washington DC is not really as stylish as New York or as much fun as Los Angeles or Miami, but the one thing they do have are really luxurious and grandiose hotels. That's probably because almost everyone who comes to visit DC has an ego the size of the Capitol, and needs to be treated like royalty.

And royalty like nothing better than to be at places which are steeped in tradition, like the White House, or the Morrison-Clark Historic Hotel. The Morrison-Clark is one of the few hotels in Washington DC which has seen many a President come and go. It's housed in a 19th Century Victorian mansion listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

It's location one block from the Washington DC Convention Center isn't too shabby either. It's 4 blocks from the Metro Center and Mt. Vernon Square Metrorail stations, and 10 minutes from Reagan National Airport, which doesn't hurt either.

Minutes from renowned restaurants, nightspots, theaters, museums, and other cultural destinations. And it's a short distance to the White House and Capitol Hill, the biggest attractions in Washington DC.

The Morrison-Clark offers authentic antique furnishings, Italian Carrera marble fireplaces, and private balconies. The Victorian rooms boast original turn of the century furnishings and crystal chandeliers with one queen bed. It includes mini bar, iron and ironing board. All rooms are non-smoking. Parlor suites are decorated in French Provincial or Neo-classic decor with a bedroom with one queen bed and a separate living area with a sofa bed.

Best of all, inspite of all this history and the whole Victorian experience, rates at the Morrison-Clark are low enough to tempt even the most die-hard fans of Washington DC motels. Their weekend getaway package, which includes complimentary continental breakfast for two, free parking, early check-in and late check-out upon request, has rates starting from $129 per night.

Info: 1015 L St NW Washington D.C. 20001; (202) 898-1200; www.morrisonclark.com/

Landing Inn Normandy, Waking up in Minneapolis

We're talking about the Best Western Normandy Inn & Suites in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It's supposed to be a cheap and decent alternative to save you from being savaged by the bugs and other nefarious elements that inhabit the dark corners of almost all Minneapolis motels.


But in truth, it looks more like someone picked a cozy cottage from the shores of Normandy and plonked it down in the twin cities. Decor aside, the Normandy Inn isn't so bad location-wise either.


Skyway across the street, 6 blocks from the Metrodome and the Minneapolis Convention Center, 3 blocks to the light rail line to the airport and Mall of America, it's a short stroll away from Orchestra Hall, the Orpheum and State Theatres, the Target center and other downtown Minneapolis attractions.


The Hotel's Landmarc Grill offers casual American dining at prices as affordable as the rooms themselevs. Speaking of which, the new suites are excellent and offer a 32-inch flat panel television, large work tables, free wireless internet, state of the art bathrooms with walk-in showers and a sleeper sofa.


Amenities include a garden atrium with a heated indoor swimming pool, hot tub and sauna. There's also a fully equipped fitness room. And the kicker - $99 rooms with children below 17 staying for free. You also get freshly baked chocolate chip cookies with cold milk at 10:00 pm.


If you really want to enjoy your Minneapolis vacations without maxing the card, then best place to start would be a landing at the Normandy Inn & Suites.

Info: 405 S 8th Street Minneapolis MN 55404; (612) 370-1400; website

Flop Down at the Bellwood Hotel, Chicago

$38 per night for a hotel room on Lincoln Road in Chicago. Is it possible? Apparently it is, if you do not book in advance. The Bellwood Hotel (1409 W Diversey Parkway Chicago, IL 60614; 773-404-6000) offers you dirt cheap rooms which you cannot book.

You have to land up in person, because apparently they haven't heard of this latest fad called a reservation system, or credit cards, or a website. You slip cash under a window to the guy behind the counter which is inside a cage. But they compensate for their lack of technological advancement by keeping rates as low as they were in the previous century.

I've seen a lot many Chicago motels in better shape than this so-called hotel, but even the motels usually charge in excess of $50 per night. Of course, these motels don't blow in stale cigarette smoke along with the air conditioning, which is what the Bellwood's airconditioning system seems to do. Or maybe it's just the years and years of ash and stubs which have penetrated into the walls and layered the furniture and floors and everything else.

On a positive note, if all you want is a place to sleep near to the attractions in Chicago without paying through your nose, well then, hold your nose and sleep soundly at the Bellwood.

$49.99 Per Night at Royal Sun Inn Palm Springs

The thing about Palm Springs is that your ordinary run-of-the-mill hotel is priced at or just above the standard price for the motels in Palm Springs. Bad deal for the motels, one might say. One might also be wrong, considering that the oridinary run-of-the-mill motel here is just about as decent and comfortable as the standard hotels. Point here is that in Palm Springs, the grey line between hotels & motels is kinda hazy.

Hotels like the Royal Sun Inn are offering rooms or $49.99 per night. The hotel has 66 rooms and suites, and each of them offers a private patio or balcony with views of the San Jacinto Mountains, shower and bath combo, complimentary buffet breakfast and in-room coffee service, cable TV, in-room safe, microwave and refrigirator. The suites additionally have kitchens and a jacuzzi tub.

Amenities offered include a sun terrace, internet access in the lobby, 2 gas barbeques and a picnic area, large heated pool, spa jacuzzi, and guest laundry.

And like all good hotels in Palm Springs, the Royal Sun Inn is located on Palm Canyon Drive, so it's a good place for a weekend getaway, and convinient if you're a tourist looking to see the prominent tourist attractions in Palm Springs.

Info: 1700 South Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA 92264; (760) 327-1564; www.royalsuninn.com/

Motel 6 Los Angeles - Hollywood

Looking for budget lodging in Los Angeles is like asking for a cheeseburger in a classy French joint. They got lots of cheese and lots of bread, but they won't put it together and give you a cheeseburger even if you put a gun to their head. It's just not done.

And if it is done, then it's a dump. Meaning that any kind of cheap digs in the City of Angels is very likely run over by transients, strugglers and potheads with more hope and dope than you'll find in any other city. But... There are a few Los Angeles motels which are cheap, decent and clean.

Like the Motel 6 Los Angeles - Hollywood on North Whitley Avenue. Being a Motel 6 means they try to maintain at least a bare minimum set of standards and basic amenities including free local calls, wireless internet, free morning coffee and a coin operated laundry.

And it's conviniently located within walking distance of the most visited attractions in Los Angeles including Hollywood Walk of Fame & Grauman's Chinese Theater. Rates from $62.99, which gives you an option to choose either a room with 2 full beds, a queen bed or a King.

Info: 1738 N Whitley Ave US 101/Hollywood Fwy at Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA, 90028; (323) 464-6006; website

Motel 6 Fort Wayne

The thing I hate most about motel chains is that you just seem to catch a lucky break. You know, like get a great motel with lots of amenities and freebies at a cheap price. Of course, you could also end up in a dump. But with chain motels, you know what you're getting, and it ain't much.

Still, you're on a budget and you want a nice, clean place to sleep and rest and shower, well, nothing better than a Motel 6. While their Fort Wayne motels look much like the ones in Tulsa or Scranton or any other God-forsaken waste, the least that can be said is that you're getting a non-smoking room with a queen bed and roll-in shower for $31.99.

You also get an outdoor pool, a coin laundry, and free morning coffee. Throw in the free local calls, parking, and easy access to nearby public transportation, restaurants, the airport (11.7 miles from Fort Wayne International Airport), and you can see why it's not such a bad deal.

Basically, you come in from the airport, the motel isn't that far. You can use public transport to get to the motel. You pay $31.99 for a room with 2 beds (so you can sleep four). Kids under 18 stay for free.

Again, if you're a family wanting to visit the tourist attractions in Fort Wayne, Motel 6 is located centrally enough for you to be able to go see all of them without having to go long distances. The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is 2.3 miles off, Glenbrook Square Mall is 2.6 miles, Allen County Memorial Coliseum is 3.2 miles, the Lincoln Museum is 3.9 miles and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art is 4.0 miles off.

If you're an environmentally aware family, you could all rent bikes and check out all the attractions on a bicycle tour of Fort Wayne. It's cheap and good for the planet and for your health. Factor in food and other expenses, and you could wrap up weekend family vacations in Fort Wayne for as little as $200.

Info: 3003 West Coliseum Boulevard I-69 at Coliseum Boulevard, Exit #109-A Ft Wayne, IN, 46808; Phone: (260) 482-3972; website

El Greco Motel in Atlantic City

I've come to view most everything on offer in Atlantic City with a jaundiced eye. There's more hustlers per sq. ft. in AC nowadays than you'll find even in Vegas or Miami. Which is why when I come across something that sounds too good to be true in Atlantic City, I just keep moving. And that includes most, if not all, independent motels in Atlantic City.


See, the only thing you can trust in AC is a company which has a national reputation to look after, or at least a regional one. Meaning that a motel chain like Super 8 or Motel 6 or Days Inn won't throw it all away by hustling for a few tourist dollars in Atlantic City. To limit yourself to these chains is probably your only safe route to enjoying Atlantic City vacations, especially if you're on a budget.


Even so, when I bumped into the El Greco motel, it did look like a good deal. Located 1/2 block from the Boardwalk and the beach, sandwiched between the Hilton and Tropicana Casinos, free parking, sun deck, lounge area, daily maid service, ice, and coffee in the morning. 58 guest rooms with refrigerators, color cable TV, phones, one or two beds, air conditioning and electronic key access. Rollaway beds, game room, shower & tub, 24 hour front desk... You get the picture. Average rates from $137, which, considering the location and the amenities, was pretty decent.


The question that remains - What's the catch? You can get a hint by their cancellation policy. $20 cancellation fee, regardless. To sum it up, once you're booked, you're hooked. If you land up there and don't like it, you lose money. And the motel gets free money.


So, if you must stay there, I suggest you forego booking in advance, and just land up in person. Take a look around, and if you like it, well, have fun. If you don't, there's two big Atlantic City hotels to left and right, who'll be quite happy to part you of your money.


Info: 3200 Pacific Ave Atlantic City NJ 08401; (609) 345-6195; www.elgrecomotel.com/

Ripleys Aquarium Package at River Edge Motor Lodge Gatlinburg

There's a lot of mountain lodges and motels in Gatlinburg, up in the Smoky Mountains. Most of them are cozy getaway retreats, which offer heated pools and courtyards with tables and chairs to help you enjoy the morning sun. One of these cozy motels/hotels up in the Smoky Mountains is the River Edge Motor Lodge.

The lodge is within walking distance to many of the timeless attractions in Gatlinburg TN, including Ripley's Aquarium, Ober Gatlinburg Tramway, Christus Gardens, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Also within minutes of the lodge are Dollywood, Dolly's Splash Country, and Pigeon Forge, along with downtown shopping malls and music theatres.

Accomodation options vary from a standard queen room to a honeymoon jacuzzi suite and family suites with two baths. The standard queen room sleeps four and comes with 2 queen-sized beds, a private balcony, cable TV and HBO, refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave, hair dryer, free wireless internet.

Rates from $55. The honeymoon suite costs $70 and the family suite with twin baths clocks in at $95. The River Edge Motor Lodge is also offering some packages and discounts. One of the packages - Ripley's Aquarium package - costs $144.95 - $304.95 for 3 days/2 nights. And until March 31 2009, you'll get 15% off if you book 2 or more nights.

Info: 665 River Road Gatlinburg TN 37738; (865) 436-9292; www.hotel-gatlinburg.com/

Searching for Quality Inn Washington DC

There's a very real and tangible class divide in and around Washington DC. There's the haves - those who have something to with politics or federal bureaucracy, and the have-nots - those who're just ordinary District citizens working in local jobs.

Visitors in DC also get lumpe dinto these two categories, like it or not. If you're here on business or to visit someone who's someone in DC, then it's a good bet that you'll be staying at one of the posh Washington DC hotels lining Pennsylvania Ave.

On the other hand, if you're some ordinary Joe Schumck from Hicksville, then these hotels, which charge anywhere between $450-600 per night on average, have no place or you. For the have-nots, there's a string of Washington DC motels and cheap budget hotels, where the rates are more in tune with the rest of the nation ($80-150).

One of these cheapskate hotels happens to be the Quality Inn near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. It's also one of the few places where you can check-in without automatically being lumped on to one or the other side of the class divide. At the Quality Inn, you'll find business travelers and liesure travelers alike - People with a corporate expense a/c who have business in DC, and those spending from their personal chekbooks, who just want to see how business is done in DC.

Of course they offer you rates from $99.99. But one of the main reasons the Quality Inn is so popular is it's location. The hotel is situated close to many of the tourist attractions in Washington DC, like the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the White House and the United States Capitol building.

The New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U Metro station is within walking distance, providing easy access to everything the city has to offer. Enjoy a variety of restaurants, cocktail lounges, theaters and world-class shopping in the surrounding area.

Amenities include free limited parking, free continental breakfast and free coffee, free wireless high-speed Internet access, free local calls, and a seasonal outdoor pool. For business travelers, they offer additional conveniences like in-room desks and access to copy and fax services.

Info: 501 New York Avenue NE, Washington DC 20002; (202) 543-7400; website

Dolphin in San Diego Bay

We're talking about the Dolphin Motel in San Diego, which is located 200 ft from the Bay. It's all about the splendid tradition of an 'American Owned' family motel, handed down from one generation to the next.

Dolphin Motel has been in operation for 32 years now, and it's one of the last remaining indie San Diego motels which hasn't given in to the temptation to sell out to a real estate developer or become part of a big chain and build a luxury hotel.

They offer cheap and clean rooms starting from $55 onwards. Located 5 minutes off San Diego airport and 12 minutes to the Cruise Terminal, Downtown, Broadway, the Gaslamp District and the other attractions in San Diego.

The air-conditioned rooms are furnished with 5 star diamond Serta beds and cable TV with over 78 Channels, and some of the rooms have refrigirators. You get free high speed internet and wi-fi and they even have a laptop you can use. To top that off, you get free morning coffee and pastries, luggage storage facilities and free monitored parking. There are 7 major restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the motel.

The Dolphin Motel is surrounded by major San Diego hotels and chains like the Ramada, Vagabond, Comfort Inn, and Holiday Inn, all of which offer essentially the same basic amenities and same Harbor view rooms, but at more than twice the price, and in some cases, more than 4 times the price.

Bottomline here is that if you're traveling on a budget in San Diego, then the Dolphin Motel is the perfect choice.

Info: 2912 Garrison St. San Diego CA 92106; (866) 353-7897 or (619) 758-1404; www.dolphin-motel.com/

50s Style Rooms at Ohio House Motel Chicago

Chicago is where Route 66 kicks off on it's long historical & colorful journey to the West Coast. As such, there's plenty of Chicago motels which are still stuck in the heydey of the Great American Roadtrip, even if Route 66 is only a faint memory now.

One of these antique motor courts is the Ohio House motel in the heart of downtown Chicago, which offers a classic 50s style double-decker roadside lot with free parking. Each of the 50 guest rooms offers a television, free cable TV, shower and bath. If you want to splurge, there's also a mini-suite with a Queen Bed, full sofa sleeper, refrigerator, and microwave.

There's an attached coffee coffee shop (Ohio House Coffee Shop) along with other restaurants, diners and other facilities close by, including laundromats, and shopping. The motel is located in the River North Area within walking distance of Hard Rock Cafe, Rock n' Roll McDonalds, ESPN Zone, Navy Pier, North Bridge and Merchandise Mart.

It's also just five blocks west of Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent Mile, and the other famed Chicago attractions on the lakefront.

It's simple and clean. Offers the necessities and is convinient for both tourists and for overnight guests passing through Chicago.

Info: 600 N. Lasalle Street Chicago IL 60610; (312) 943-6000; www.ohiohousemotel.com/

2 Nights Free at Metro Inn Motel Minneapolis

I figure if you're looking for Minneapolis motels, then you're looking to save money. Look no further. In addition to the usual low rate offered by most other motels in the Twin Cities, the Metro Inn Motel is offering a special - Stay for 5 mights, and you get 2 extra nights free.

Basically a sweet deal if you want to stay for a week, or an extended stay on a weekly rate. They also have 4 day rates. All you have to do is print the coupon you find here and present it when you check-in.

The Motel is close to all the attractions in Minneapolis, 3 blocks off I-35 & 62. To the East is Mall of America and Twin Cities Airport. To the West is the South-Dale Shopping Mall and great "Valley Fair". Plenty of restaurants close by, and it's minutes away from Down Town with a Bus Line around the corner.

The Metro Inn Motel offers 35 single, double and King rooms, with amenities including refrigirator, microwave and cable TV, airconditioned rooms, complimentary coffee and concierge service, and offers plenty of parking space.

It's not like it's the Ritz, and it has it's faults. Service isn't something to write home about, and even though the website says the place is pet friendly, the reality is that they don't really welcome people with pets. They don't have an online reservation system, so you'll have to either call them or take your chances.

But for all of that, it's a pretty good place if you're on a budget, which, after all, is the whole point of seeking out a cheap motel instead of a posh hotel.

Info: 5637 Lyndale Avenue S Minneapolis MN 55419; (612) 861-6011; www.metroinnmotel.com/

Free Room Upgrade at Palm Court Inn, Palm Springs

When you're in Palm Springs, it doesn't really matter if you're checking into a hotel, motel or some other boutique property, so long as none of it is upscale. Point I'm trying to make is that hotels in Palm Springs are just about as cheap as Palm Springs motels.

You could either say that the motels are better than other places, or that the budget hotels in Palm Spings aren't as good. That's your lookout, but far as I'm concerned, most properties are like the Palm Court Inn - You can't really call it a hotel nor a motel nor an Inn. It's what you want it to be.

And to make the distinction even more hazy, they're offering a free room upgrade. Book any standard room at the regular price and receive a free upgrade to a pool view or garden view room. Valid on Sunday through Thursday night only.

You can lounge by the pool and pretend it's a luxury hotel, or you can just walk in to your room straight from the street, like a motel. And you'll get personalized service, with a free breakfast, like an Inn.

Amenities at the Palm Court Inn include a 24 hour front desk, meeting, event and banquet facilities for upto 150 guests, 4 acres of lush gardens, pools and fountains, pool with sun deck, jacuzzi & children's wading pool, on-site restaurant (Rick's restaurant), exercise room, coin operated laundry, and complimentary parking.

In-room amenities include one King or two Queen beds, cable TV, room service from Rick's Restaurant, refrigerator & microwave, iron & ironing board, and hair dryer.

Info: 1983 N. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs CA 92262; (800) 667-7918 or (760) 416-2333; www.palmcourt-inn.com/

Looking for a motel with a Vibe in Los Angeles?

There's cities for the haves and there's others for the have-nots. Some cities, like New York and Los Angeles, are merciless to the have-nots. They will crush your spirit, chew you up and spit you out onto the streets and kick you in the pants back to where you came from - Unless you have the money and the right connections.

Very rarely are you allowed to stay at good hotels in Hollywood, and have a good time at a club or lounge in West Hollywood or Beverly Hills, unless you have a big wad and/or someone connected enough to get you in. The one exception to this rule is the Vibe Motel on Hollywood Blvd. You can hang out and meet actors, dancers, musicians, models, entertainment industry types, international travelers and more. The rooms are decorated funky and have a swinging retro 60's groovy motel feel.

The motel is located in the middle of all the visit-worthy Hollywood attractions, so you can walk to the Hollywood Sign, Sunset Strip, Theater Row, Hollywood and Highland (Kodak Theater), Hollywood and Vine (subway metro rail station ).

As for the motel itself, you can drive right up to your room and park. You get free parking, free breakfast, free wi-fi, free coffee and tea, a free movie room, free BBQ and dinner parties, coin operated laundry, and discounted tours of LA.

The standard rooms have a queen size bed, a 27 inch TV with satellite, small refrigerator, microwave and private bathroom with a shower. Rates from $65 per night. The 'Regular Private Rooms' have one or two twin beds in addition to what you get in the standard room. 'Premium Private Rooms' have a queen size bed plus one or two twin beds, a full kitchen, a 27 inch TV with satellite, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with bathtub and shower.

Granted it's not the Beverly Hilton or the Roosevelt, but hey, even the big stars had to sleep with the common trash in Los Angeles motels before they got their break. Who knows, you may meet a few people who could end up as the biggest stars of the next decade.

Info: 5922 Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood CA 90028; (866) 751-8600 or (323) 469-8600; www.vibehotel.com/

How to get the best value inn Fort Wayne, IN

When the going gets tough, the tough get going - To motels. What I mean is that instead of cancelling a vacation, you can still take it - but with a reduced budget. The three main expenses are airfare (or gas), food and lodging.

Airfare and as are specific to your destination, so that's your lookout. But as far as accomodations are concerned, you need to look or the best value or your buck. In other words, you need to check-in at America's Best Value Inn. They have a network of over 750 Inns, hotels and Suites in North America, so you can find one just about anywhere you ant to go. And they do indeed provide value.

Take for example, the Best Value Inn at Fort Wayne, IN. Slightly more individualistic than you'd expect from a chain motel, and much more by way of amenities and facilities than you'll find at any of the other Fort Wayne motels.

Located just off I-69 for easy on and off highway access, it offers 45 spacious guest rooms, easily accessed from exterior corridors with park-at-door convenience, jacuzzi suites, and hi speed wireless Internet access.

All rooms come equipped with microwaves, mini-fridges, hairdryers, computer data port telephone, free HBO, VCR rentals, free local calls, and sofas (some rooms). Complimentary coffee, orange juice, and cookies are served every morning from available 6a.m. - 9a.m. Centrally located near major restaurants, business, and shopping and the other attractions in Fort Wayne.

All this for rates from $45.95 for a room with 1 King Bed. The jacuzzi room is $90, and if you want two double beds, it's $52.95.

Info: 1401 W. Washington Ctr. Road Fort Wayne IN 46825; (260) 489-3588; website

How'd You Like To Spend Your Days Inn Atlantic City?

Atlantic City has a problem with the rest of New Jersey - They just don't like the AC in-your-face do-what-you-want attitude. NJ, inspite of being in New York City's massively metropolitan shadow, is surprisingly conservative.

The small beachfront towns on the NJ shores don't like strangers, they don't like noise, and they do not want to see their precious little communities disturbed in any way. Point here being that not everyone in Atlantic City is a big spender and gambler.

They come from all over the state, and stay in the small Atlantic City motels peeping out onto the Boardwalk, in between the gigantic casino complexes. They enjoy a good time at the casinos, go around and take a tour of the sights, and then quietly catch a bus back to their home towns.

The Golden East motel, now simply a Days Inn motel, is one such motel located steps away from the Atlantic City Beach and Boardwalk. It is within walking distance of the casinos - Ballys, Claridge, Caesars, Trump Plaza, Resorts, Taj Mahal, and Showboat - as well as local restaurants and Atlantic City attractions, and a few blocks from The Walk Factory Outlet Stores and the Atlantic City Convention Center.

The Days Inn offers a free continental breakfast, free local calls, ice machine, daily USA Today newspaper, coffee, and internet station which are all located in the lobby. And free parking for one vehicle per room. In-room amenities include a hair dryer, iron & ironing board, free high speed wireless internet, and a microwave oven. Some of the rooms have balconies and the suites have sofa beds.

Rates from $49.99 (plus taxes) per night. For this rate, you get an oceanview room (non-smoking) with a balcony, 2 double beds, coffee maker, wi-fi, hairdryer, fridge, cable TV and HBO, along with use of the other amenities mentioned above. You can get a 1 King bed room for the same rate. For $99.99, you can get a 3 double beds deluxe room, or a deluxe room with 2 King beds.

Info: 169 South Kentucky Avenue Atlantic City NJ 08401; (609) 344-7001; website

Got Truck? Stay Inn Denver

I am so truly fed up of the glitzy hotels like the Ritz, where Joe Blow would have to cough up his entire retirement savings to enjoy a decent week. America really, really needs to lower it's sights a bit. Has any of your neighbours been to the Colorado ski resorts this year? I don't think so.

But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy one. Just need to make the necessary course corrections. And if you are going to go there, why not go the whole hog, and enjoy the vacation, but without paying for the costly digs. Take away the hotel charges, and you're left with the ski lift tickets and food. And airfare, if required. Considering the cost of the hotels in Colorado in winter, it's a safe bet to say that your vacation cost is likely to be cut in half, at the very least.

So how does one go about doing this? Pretty simple. Find a decent motel. Costs around $35-60 per night. Best to check out the Denver motels which are a bit off the ski resorts. It's worth it, even if it takes an hour or so to get to the resorts. The ones in the immediate vicinity of the resorts are just as bad as the hotels, in terms of pricing.

One such cheap motel is the Stay Inn in Denver. Rates start from $39. If you want to pay for the week, that'll be $215 for a room with 1 King bed, and $235 for a room with a queen or two double beds. And if If you have a commerical drivers license, you can actually get a discount here.

Sure, it's a trucker's motel. If you have a truck and want to enjoy a family skiing vacation on the slopes of Colorado, and you wnat to do it on a budget, it's not that bad a deal. Even if you're not so fond of crude jokes scrawled in the loo, look on it this way - You're there to ski, not to critique the interior.

Info: 12033 E 38th Ave Denver CO 80239; (303) 371-0740; www.denvermotel.net/

$59.99 per night at San Diego Loma Lodge

Here's the deal - Non-smoking airconditioned room with a comfortable 1 King bed, complimentary hi-speed internet access, mini-fridge, satellite TV with HBO and ESPN,plus 16 channels. Iron, ironing Board are available upon request. Microwave may be available upon request.

And public amenities and facilities include free morning coffee & danish, daily newspaper in the lobby, guest laundry, swimming pool open year round, with a soda / candy / ice located in pool area. Name - Loma Lodge. Location - San Diego, CA. Rates from $59.99 per night. These are standard rates. Not specials. Specials and weekly rates are even lower.

If you want a room with 2 double beds, that's $64.99. Three double beds family guest room? $74.99. And if you want a little more luxury, then go for the $64.99 One King bed deluxe non-smoking, pillowtop California bed, upgraded towels and soap.

That's right. It sounds like a great deal. It is. Why pay in excess of $200 for a hotel room when you have decent and cheap San Diego motels like Loma Lodge? The Loma Lodge is a quaint 43 room Spanish style motel, centrally located just 2 miles west of hotel circle and with easy access to all freeways and San Diego attractions.

They have a 24 hour front desk, and a one stop concierge where you can book tours, rental cars and anything else you need.

Info: 3202 Rosecrans Street San Diego CA 92110; (619) 222-0511 / (800) 266-0511; www.lomalodge.com/