$189 per Night in Times Square Novotel Hotel

Novotel... Sounds like a hot chocolate drink or a telecom company. But actually it's one of these snazzy low priced New York hotels which truck in guests by the busload from Europe and Japan and the rest of Asia straight off from JFK, and then cart them around New York in those ditzy red double-decker tourist bus tours.

And the Novotel is perfectly located and structured to deliver the goods to these starry eyed tourists who fall in love eith the urban magnificence of the Big Apple. The Novotel is a Times Square hotel, located in the heart of Midtown New York, right in the theater district on the corner of 52nd Street and Broadway.

The hotel offers 480 guest rooms with rates from $189, a restaurant on the 7th floor and sweeping views of Times Square and the world famous tourist attractions in New York. The decor is modern, the comfort ergonomic and the rooms spacious enough to accomodate a full family of four - 2 adults and 2 children.

Guest rooms come equipped with satellite/cable TV and pay per view movies, wi-fi internet access, in-room safe, minibar, bathtub and hairdryer. And they won't skimp on the free stuff. Massive beds, nice linen, plenty of pillows, free calls and room service and lots of other stuff.

Amenities and services include outdoor paid parking (Welcome to New York...), gift shop, fitness center, ATM and shoe shine, concierge and tourist information desk, dry cleaning and laundry facilities, and multi-lingual staff available for ost all commonly spoken languages.

The Waldorf=Astoria or the Plaza it ain't, but the Novotel is a decent, cheap and convinient hotel. Go down below this and you'll land with a thump on the doorsteps of the New York motels. And I don't think we want to give the poor naive tousists fresh into NYC a taste of the Big Bad Apple, do we?

Info: 226 West 52nd Street New York NY 10019; (212) 315-0100; website

On a Budget inn Virginia?

That's the Budget Inn at 7155 Lee Highway at Falls Church in Virginia. And why would you want to know anything about this Budget Inn? Because it is located within the much maligned Capital Beltway, and it's as cheap as, and much more luxurious, than any of the motels in Washington DC.

It's a nice place - quiet setting, spacious grounds with a garden like setting, massive parking lot, the Metro nearby and Washington National and Dulles International Airports just 20 minutes away. A sighseeing tour bus which takes you around to all the Washington DC attractions has a pickup stop right in front of the Inn. The White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Pentagon are just a hop, skip and a jump away.

Amenities and services include high speed internet access, cable TV with HBO,
complimentary coffee in the lounge, microwave and refrigerator. Accomodations include rooms with single beds, 2 twin size beds, 2 double beds, a King size bed and jacuzzi suites. The jacuzzi suites include a King size bed, recliner, sound machine, raised platform 2/3 seats, heart-shaped jacuzzi tubs, and romantic recessed lighting.

The heart shaped jacuzzi tubs, red in color, are an especially vivid touch. It looks like something straight out of a movie set, with wall-to-wall mirrors behind and a four-poster King bed in front.

3rd Night Free at Best Western Inn Palm Springs

With rates cheaper than the cheapest of motels in Palm Springs and facilities to rival that offered by the best of hotels, the Best Western Inn at Palm Springs straddles the fine line between budget and luxury accomodations.

Nestled in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains with a sweeping view from the hotel's sundeck, guests can relax and unwind and experience a true getaway without having to pay through the nose. The outdoor swimming pool and spa are open 24 hours.

The hotel's 70 guestrooms are equipped with suite-like luxury, with posturepedic beds, sofabeds for spreading out and relaxing, updated bathrooms, mini-refrigerators, microwave ovens, and high-speed wireless internet.

Guests start the day with a complimentary breakfast served on the poolside patio from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., with a wide variety of juices, hot beverages, pastries, breads, bagels, cereals, fresh fruit, and hot eggs.

Additional amenities and services include a business center, laundry facilities, self-parking, 24 hour front desk with a safe deposit box, and discounted access to a nearby fitness center.

Standard rates from $99. Even better, you get 3rd night free if you book-in for 2 or more days. Now you can spend an extended 3-day weekend enjoying the famed golfing, shopping and other attractions in Palm Springs for around $200. And that includes the complimentary breakfast, parking and internet usage.

Info: 1633 South Palm Canyon Palm Springs CA; 92264; (800) 222-4678; www.bwpalmsprings.com/

Hybrid Hotel 500 West of San Diego

What's a hybrid hotel, and what's it doing 500 West of San Diego? Well, that's the 500 West Hotel in San Diego, which is apparently one of those quasi European style hostel hotels in San Diego. Ok, so what that mean?

Their website says that "In true European tradition, there are as many as sixteen private shared bathrooms and unisex lavatories on every guest floor. Professional housekeepers maintain all bathroom facilities on a 24-hour schedule. Every private bath is well equipped for your comfort, safety and convenience. Bathroom’s feature a roomy tiled shower, moisturizing shampoo and body wash and enclosed toilet with locking door."

So... Is it private or is it shared (as in public)? Confusion is what it is. They have 259 double rooms, single twin rooms, double twin rooms, dorm rooms and hostel lodging. Hostel lodging that's different from dorm rooms and private rooms? More confusion...

Anyway, rates from $49 onwards. For this rate (plus taxes) you get a room that includes 1 twin bed, wardrobe and writing desk. Hair dryers, ironing boards and wake up calls are available upon request. Individual shared bathrooms on all floors.

Amenities and services offered include an onsite restaurant, high-Speed wireless internet access, YMCA fitness center ($5.00 per day), 24-hour front desk, guest laundry facilities, and a gourmet eat-in kitchen. What the heck is a gourmet eat-in kitchen?

Not a bad deal, actually, and if you're a youngish backpacker type come to enjoy the San Diego beaches by day and the forbidden hedonistic pleasures of the Gaslamp Quarter after sundown, then not much point in splurging heavily on a luxury hotel. You're not going to be spending much time in there and a crash pad is just that - a crash pad. You need a cheap, decent and safe place to sleep and freshen up. And that's 500 West of San Diego - hybrid hostel+hotel.

Info: 500 West Broadway, San Diego CA 92101; Reservations: (866) 315-4251; Hotel Inquiries: (619) 234-5252; www.500westhotelsd.com/

Wanna meet a Downtowner inn Hollywood?

Head straight for 5601 Hollywood Blvd. Where you'll find the the Hollywood Downtowner Inn. Looks like a rundown convinience store from the outside, motel sign and all. But from the inside, it's a pretty neat place.

Run by an Indian couple (that's Asian-Indian), the motel has a neat swimming pool in the courtyard. The motel offers 30 rooms overlooking the courtyard and pool. You can get a deluxe King room for $89 and a deluxe double for $95.00.

You get parking, wi-fi, continental breakfast, HBO/Cable TV, microwave, refrigerator, iron w/board, hair dryer and in-room coffee. Summer of 2009, they're also planning to add some family suites.

It's not like you can smell the paint, and it's not the Westin Bonaventure either, but for less than $100, with free parking, a pool and breakfast in Hollywood - It's a difficult deal to match, even for the chain motels in Los Angeles. Place is well maintained and pretty clean. And within a short transit from the major Hollywood attractions (3 stops to Universal Studios). Don't expect to walk it, though.

Info: 5601 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028; (888) 323-5601; www.hollywooddowntowner.com/

Weekend Adventurer at the James Chicago

If you believe that Chicago vacations are adventures, then you've landed up at the right place. Because what we have here is one of finest hotels in President Obama's home base offering a weekend adventurer package.

This package from the James Hotel includes 2 Chicago City Pass tickets to 5 major Chicago attractions including The John Hancock Observatory, The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Museum of Science and Industry. Plus you get a map to navigate your expedition and in-room breakfast for two. Rates from $279. Valid only until March 31 2009. More details and online booking here.

The James sits on Ontario Avenue, just off the Magnificent Mile, and minutes away from the shopping, dining and nightlife destinations, as well as major attractions like Navy Pier and The John Hancock Center.

Treatments at The Spa by Asha offer a soothing and calm counterbalance to the magnificent culinary delights of David Burke’s Primehouse and the psychedelic rotating visual installations created by local artists. The James Chicago is as good, if not better, than any and all of the luxury Chicago hotels that dot the downtown landscape.

Info: 55 East Ontario Chicago IL 60611; (312) 337-1000; www.jameshotels.com/

$100 Dining Credit at Kimberly Hotel NYC

New York is a funny old city. While hotels in most cities are slashing rates to meet falling travel budgets, the good old New York hotels are competing to see who can offer the most outlandish and luxurious hotel experience.


In tune with this New York 'shock and awe' spirit, the Kimberly Hotel in midtown Manhattan has come up with a package which includes $100 worth of dining credit at their fine Italian restaurant - Ferro's. Offer valid only until March 31, 2009. More details here.


Obviously, the first question that comes to mind is - What kind of rates do they charge, if they can afford to give you $100 worth of dining credit? Well, rates start from $379 for a 1-bedroom suite and $389 for a luxury guestroom. Yes, the guestroom costs $10 more than the 1-bedroom suite. Welcome to New York City...


Here's the thing - The Kimberly is not for penny pinchers. It's all part of the whole New York experience. You check into a luxury hotel located close to the Broadway theaters and fifth avenue shopping and all the other upscale attractions in New York. You stay in a swanky suite well above the 20th floor with a great view of the Manhattan skyline. You enjoy exclusive access to clubs like the New York Health & Racquet Club. Pre-theater dinner at Ferro's, and then the show. Post-show, you unwind and enjoy relaxing cocktails and tapas at a chic club like Nikki's Beach Midtown, located next to the Kimberly.


The point is, this is the kind of life that the deep-pocketed crowd with private penthouses and condos in Manhattan enjoy. The Kimberly is offering it's guests teh same New York experience. Obviously it's going to cost more than your run-of-the-mill budget lodging for tourists in Times Square. But it'swell worth every penny.


Info: 145 East 50th Street New York NY 10022; (212) 702-1600; www.kimberlyhotel.com/

Go San Diego Special at Surfer Beach Hotel

The difference between other cities and San Diego, as a tourist destination, is that the San Diego beaches actually complement and prop up the attractions on offer. What I mean is, in most cities, the beach is an attraction all by itself, and then there's other attractions. But in San Diego, it's all one big beach-front party.

The most important tourist magnets with resorts, hotels, restaurants, parks, etc. are all beach-front communities - Pacific Beach, Mission Bay, Ocean Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Coronado Island and so on.

So, naturally, you want to spend your San Diego vacations on the waterfront. The Surfer Beach Hotel is just 10 minutes from downtown San Diego and located on one of the pristine Pacific coast beaches. All the major attractions in San Diego, including SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, the Gaslamp Quarter, LegoLand, and Historic Old Town are easily accesible.

And if you're worried about the level of service and the facilities, well, don't be. The hotel is offering a Go San Diego package deal, which includes lodging in a King or Double guest room, two adult 2-day Go San Diego cards, and complimentary hotel parking. The Go San Diego card includes free admission to over 45 San Diego attractions and discounts on shopping, dining, and much more around the city. Rates from $229.00 per night. More details here.

The retro-chic standard guest rooms with contemporary furnishings offer ocean view balconies,
double pillow top beds, refrigerator, bathrobes, blackout drapes, flat screen television with cable TV, complimentary toileteries, hair dryers and iron and ironing board. Suites additionally offer wet bar with microwave and coffee pot. And seating area with queen sofa bed. The Sunset suites offer fully equipped kitchenettes. For an extra charge, you can avail of wireless internet and rollaway beds.

Amenities offered include complimentary hot coffee, tea, cocoa and cappuchinos in the lobby - any time you want. There's also a heated outdoor swimming pool, bar and lounge area, onsite restaurant, guest laundry facilities, 24-hour front desk, and onsite parking ($12 per day).

Info: 711 Pacific Beach Dr. San Diego CA 92109; (866) 251-2764; www.surferbeachhotel.com

Stay and Play at Don Hall's Guesthouse in Fort Wayne IN

Don Hall's Guesthouse in Fort Wayne, IN is not just some hicktown B&B. It's a mini-resort, offering golf vacations, an in-house Convention Center for meetings, weddings, conferences and other events, and also a historic restaurant from the 1940s.

And the best part is that as cheap as the ordinary motels in Fort Wayne. Don Hall's Guesthouse offers rooms starting from $89 - Which includes room for 2, along with free breakfast and dinner for 2. And if you're a golfing fan, you might want to check out their 'stay and play' package - $120 for lodging & 18 holes of golf with a cart.

Don Hall's Guesthouse offers 121 spacious guest rooms and suites. The standard rooms are all air conditioned, smoking and non smoking, and equipped with clock radio, coffee makers, free high speed internet access, hair dryers, and cable tv.

Amenities include free local calls, an exercise room, 2 swimming pools and a whirlpool. They also have jacuzzi, executive and hospitality suites, if you feel the need to splurge. The golfing vacations include access to the golf courses at the members only private Coyote Creek Golf Club.

Not ot say that it's better than a Hilton or any of the other posh hotels in Fort Wayne, but for this price,to be able to pack in so much, and still not compromise on quality, is indeed a good deal.

Info: 1313 W. Washington Center Road Fort Wayne IN 46825; (260) 489-2524; www.donhallsguesthouse.com/

Flamingo Motel, Atlantic City

Now you can doubletime Atlantic City by dancing with the high rollers at the Hilton Casino but going home to sleep with the Flamingo next door. That's the Flamingo Motel we're talking about, which sits straddling the space between the Hilton and Tropicana casinos in Atlantic City.

With 70 rooms half a block from the boardwalk and beach, with a casino within shouting distance and a police station 1 block away, the Flamingo offers an option to enjoy the attractions in Atlantic City without going broke. If you don't lose it all in the casinos first.

Amenities offered include cable/satelite TV, air conditioning, shower/tub combination, refrigerator, and jacuzzis. Hair dryers and microwaves available upon request. Free parking, 24 hour front desk and express check-out.

Rooms offer the option of 1 King bed or two double beds. Floor to ceiling windows through the balcony provide a good view of the city. Not that it's comparable to the luxurious casinos / hotels in Atlantic City, but for the price ($50-$75), and considering the location, it's a fair enough place to crash for the night.

They don't offer online booking, which is a bit odd. And prices are not listed on their website, which is even more surprising. But they do offer quotes individually, so you might be able to 'negotiate' your way into a better price.

The only comparable offers you'll get will be from the Super 8, Motel 6 and other chain motels in Atlantic City. It's not much either way, but then, if you've just lost a fortune to the casinos, the old lady back home will probably not take kindly to you adding to the hole by splurging on a costly suite at a luxury hotel. In that case, the Flamingo is ready to take you in, broke or not.

Info: 3101 Pacific Ave Atlantic City NJ 08401; (609) 344-3061; www.flamingomotelonline.com/

By the Oceanside inn Daytona Beach

What with the State Dept.'s dire Mexico travel advisories, travel to Cancun for Spring Break this year is a big no-can-do. So that leaves the field pretty much to Florida, and especially Daytona Beach. I mean, c'mon, there's tons of good beaches and spring break hot-spots, but still, none of them can hold a candle to Cancun and Daytona, in terms of sheer exuberance and the party atmosphere.

All of which means that Daytona is especially sizzling this year. Which also means that it'll be even harder to get hold of suitable accomodations. So you need to move out of your comfort zone, and check out some decent Daytona Beach motels, Inns and B&B's.

Which brings us to the Oceanside Inn, which offers 178 clean deluxe studios and 1-bedroom suites, with 23 miles of spectacular beach at your doorstep. Hang around their oversized freshwater pool, and leave the kids to enjoy the kiddie pool, or you could check out the 6,500 sq ft terrace garden with the sea breeze blowing away all your worries and allowing you to just take in the wonderfulness of the Daytona shores.

Start your mornings with the Inn's Continental breakfast buffet, check your mail with the free wireless internet, and then laze around with a drink at the poolside Tiki Bar & Grille. If you're looking for a serious drinking session to drown your sorrow or celebrate life, the Mariner Lounge is waiting for you.

The stardard rooms have either one king bed or two double beds, with sweeping ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows. In-room amenities include cable TV, an in-room safe, hair dryer, iron/ironing board, and air conditioning.

Amenities offered include a continental breakfast with fresh-baked Danish, muffins, bagels, toast, fresh fruit, cereals, juices and hot beverages. In addition to all the above mentioned pools, free wireless, terrace garden, lounge and bar, there's also a fitness center and a conference center. And you get free parking.

Daytona Beach attractions in the vicinity of the Oceanside Inn include the Ocean Walk Shoppes with a 10-screen cinema, a range of restaurants, specialty and gift shops. There's also the Ocean Center, Daytona Beach Kennel Club, LGPA HQ, and the Peabody Auditorium. The Daytona Beach International Airport is easily accesible from the Oceanside Inn.

Info: 1909 South Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach Shores FL 32118; (386) 255-4492; www.oceansidedaytona.com

3rd Night Free at Sidney James Mountain Lodge in Gatlinburg TN

If you're looking for a peaceful mountain getaway, and you want to spend the weekend sitting back enjoying the early morning freshness, sipping a hot cup of coffee, watching a meandering stream bubbling past you and the undulating hills and valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains flourishing in the backdrop with the first signs of an early spring, well... look no further.

You get all this and more at the Sidney James Mountain Lodge in Gatlinburg TN. Even better, it's no less than a luxury resort, but the rates are comparable to the ordinary budget motels in Gatlinburg. In fact, it's a bit exotic. There's three swimming pools - an outdoor one for the summer, and a small pool for the children which looks like a giant toilet seat.

But the interesting one is the heated indoor swimming pool, which looks more like an atrium, with plenty of green , a waterfall and rocks and all. It's the kind of thing you see in the movies or in an eccentric billionare's mansion in Los Angeles, or in zoos and aquariums, but seldom at a motel in real life. Especially not in a place like Gatlinburg.

In addition to the three pools, the Sidney James also offers free wi-fi internet, guest laundry, jacuzzis, fireplaces, sauna room, free parking, and a poolside cafe. The trolley stop right in front of the building, so you hop abroad and check out all the downtown attractions in Gatlinburg.

It's located adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so the Sidney James Mountain Lodge offers visitors easy access to a variety of Parkway shops, award winning restaurants, and all the outdoor recreation that is possible in the Mountains.

The rates are seasonal, but for stays in between now and March 13, you can find accomodations here in between $49 to $139, based on your choice of room/suite/cabin/condo and whether it's a weekend or not. The jacuzzi suites offer panoramic views of the Smokies and Gatlinburg, mirrored ceilings, private balconies, and seasonal fireplaces.

Whatever you choose, you'll have in-room coffee and refrigirators. Great spot for romantic getaways. Oh, and they're offering the third night free if you book two or more nights. Offer valid until March 13 2009, and only if you book directly with them.

Info: 610 Historic Nature Trail Gatlinburg TN 37738; (800) 876-6888; www.sidneyjames.com/

The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs

It's new, hip and cheap, even by Palm Springs standards. That's the new 180 room Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. The Ace is testing the boundries that exist between boutique hotels and the cheap Palm Springs motels.

In fact, the Ace was indeed a motel before it's recent makeover. Also, rooms at the Ace start from $89, which considering it's location on Palm Canyon Drive, and the kind of amenities, facilities and service that the hotel offers, is a very motel-y price.

They have their own 'Swim Club' with two saltwater pools open to the public for swimming, sunbathing and outdoor dining. Guests lounge on poolside hammocks and sip cocktails. Speaking of which, the Amigo Room Bar at the hotel serves up fresh and original cocktails using locally grown fruits and herbs from their own garden.

The spa offers treatments and juices which make good use of locally grown fruits and vegetables as well. And the spa also has Mongolian yurts for hot stone massages, facials, body scrubs and other natural treatments. The mountains and Indian Canyons loom in the background and offer excellent prospects for hiking and exercise.

A rickety van shuttles guests to and from the downtown attractions in Palm Springs. To top it all off, the hotel is extremely dog friendly. All said and done, a fine place for a relaxing spa getaway coupled with a weekend family vacation. And did we tell you about the excellent golf courses in Palm Springs?

Info: 701 E. Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs CA 92264; (760) 325-9900; www.acehotel.com/palmsprings/

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