Santa Monica Motel brings Pacific Sands to your doorstep

It's true. You won't find any other Los Angeles motels so close to the Santa Monica Pier. The Pacific Sands Motel is located right across the street from the Santa Monica Beach and Pier.

The motel offers an outdoor pool and complimentary wireless. I'm sure there must be plenty of cheaper digs in Venice Beach, but as far as the City of Santa Monica is concerned, I don't think you'll find anything less than $100, so close to the beach and pier.

Not only are you getting a room right on one of the most beautiful Los Angeles beaches, but you also get the Pier, Pacific Park, Muscle Beach, the Carousel, the Ferris Wheel and all the other famed Santa Monica attractions at your doorstep. It's one of the premier tourist hot-spots on the West Coast.

Amenities offered by the motel, in addition to those listed above, include cable TV, hair dryer, iron & board (on request), work desks, housekeeping and 24-hour front desk. The guest rooms are furnished retro-style, with direct exterior access and private bathrooms. The heated outdoor pool is a nice touch - walled to offer you some privacy from the exterior, with a nice hedge and palms swaying in the background.

It's not exactly the Ritz, and the double beds are kinda squeezed into the rooms, or maybe it's because the beds are huge. Plus, they charge you $7 for over-night parking. But still, considering the rates and the location, it's probably a fair enough deal. Especially if you're with family. Children below 14 stay free, and they even have some rooms, with extra beds, especially built for large family groups. Rollaway beds and cribs available upon request.

Info: 1515 Ocean Ave Santa Monica CA 90401; (310) 395-6133; www.pacificsandshotel.com/

Sea Breeze Blows Thru New Atlantic City Motel

Actually, the New Sea Breeze is a motel in Pleasantville, NJ, which is a couple of miles from the AJ casinos and another mile more to the beaches, Boardwalk and other well-known attractions in Atlantic City.

But 2 miles shouldn't be too much of a bother to somebody who wants to hit the casinos. I mean, other than this, your options are to either pay through the nose to stay at a luxury hotel/casino complex, or stay at one of the miserable dumps which call themselves Atlantic City motels.

Better to spread your wings a bit and enjoy the comforts of a nice small-town NJ motel, set in a picturesque location in Pleasantville, where the Expressway and Black Horse Pike form a gateway linking Atlantic City to mainland New Jersey. It also means that this is the last place (or the first, depending on whether you're coming or going) where you'll see the famed New Jersey beaches along the NJ shores, before you enter the urban mess of Atlantic City.

To make it even more worthwhile, the Sea Breeze actually does blow through the New Sea Breeze Motel. They offer air-conditioned rooms with direct access from the exterior, and balconies overlooking the ocean.

Complimentary parking, a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, housekeeping, iron & board, hairdryers, refrigerators, microwaves, and a television make up the offering even more attractive. Rollaway beds and cribs available upon request.

While the motel does not have it's own dining facilities, there's plenty of restaurants nearby, including all kinds of fast-food joints.

Info: 7080 Black Horse Pike West Atlantic City NJ 08232; (609) 484-0025; website

Apache found in Chicago Motel

It's no wigwam, but it's as good a place as any for an Apache Chief to feel at home. We're talking about the Apache Motel on 5535 N Lincoln Ave in Chicago. In their own words, the Apache Motel offers all the comforts of franchise Chicago motels and hotels, but not the price. Rates at the Apache start from $59.

For which rate you get a King room with a mini-refrigerator, tables and chairs, a ncie desk with a round mirror (which makes it look kind of like a movie set), a dinky TV, nice big windows and a big bed with headboard and all, easy colors and bright lighting. They also have suites and doubles, in case you need bigger digs.

You'll need a drive to get to the downtown Chicago attractions about 9-10 miles away, and about the same to O'Hare airport, but it's well worth it, considering the price. If it's any consolation, Wrigley Field is only 4 miles off, and there's no shortage of restaurants in the vicinity.

Info: 5535 N Lincoln Ave Chicago IL 60625; (773) 728-9400; www.apachemotelchicago.com/

Motel fit for a Highlander in Arlington VA

Do you know why it's so difficult to find Washington DC motels? Because there's so many of them minutes away in Arlington, VA. Given the choice, even people who work in DC opt for an Arlington residence. So when you're in DC, do as DCites do - Stay in Arlington.

And a good choice, if you're on a mean budget, is the Highlander Motel on 3336 Wilson Blvd. The equation is pretty simple - 5 minute walk from Virginia Square Station, free parking, free HBO and free continental breakfast.

Factor in the cheap rates (standard rates from $70), the upwardly mobile neighourhood with condos and apartment blocks coming up around the motel, easy accessibility to public transport and proximity to the Washington DC attractions.

You could say that you're getting the best of both worlds - accomodations in the orbit of the ultra commercialized and hyper-inflated DC proper lodging market, but with the convinience, homey touch and cheapness of Arlington.

There's a busy road out front, but some of the rooms are quiet enough to get a good night's sleep The rooms are quite spacious, relative to the rates and by DC standards, and brightly lit, with floor-to-celing windows and drapes.

And you have a splendid array of dining options, including Mario's Pizza and the aptly named Murky Coffee where you can hang out for free wi-fi internet and murky cups of coffee. What? The Motel itself does not have internet access, and besides, if you're looking for Zagat rated restaurants, DC ain't that far away...

Info: 3336 Wilson Blvd Arlington VA 22201; (703) 524-4300; www.highlandermotel.com/

Visit-ing NYC? Motor inn-to the Plaza

If you motor into the famed Plaza Hotel in New York City, they'll take your motor away, then take away everything else you have and own including your shirt, and then hand you with a bill for the rest. Granted they treat you like royalty, but if you can't afford it, then you might want to consider The Plaza Motor Inn in Secaucus, New Jersey.

It's just a 10 minute drive down to all the wonderful New York attractions, and it'll save you in excess of $200 per night, because rates at The Plaza Motor Inn start from $79. Plus you get free parking - which you won't find at any New York motels.

The Plaza Motor Inn is located directly in the heart of the Secaucus Outlet Center, 20 minutes from Newark International Airport. The Meadowlands Sports Complex - home of the New Jersey Devils, New Jersey Nets, and the New York Giants and Jets football teams, is just 5 minutes away, and there's plenty of facilities nearby, including shopping and restaurants. Best part is that you can park your car for free, and take public transport into Manhattan.

The air-conditioned guest rooms and jacuzzi suites are capable of accomodating between 2-4 guests, and offer wall to wall carpeting, wi-fi internet and cable TV.

Info: 155 Route 3 East Secaucus New Jersey 070941; (888) 421-8382; www.plazamotel.cc/

Study of Cambridge inn Palm Springs

People generally take Palm Springs vacations in order to get away from it all, and enjoy the mix of urban and natural pleasures of the desert. And a study of comfort and a perfect sense of getaway within Palm Springs can be found at the Cambridge Inn.

The Cambridge Inn is located 2 miles from the Palm Springs Convention Center, and 3 miles from the airport, and within walking distance of the downtown Palm Springs attractions. It's a small place, with 66 air-conditioned guest rooms with private patios overlooking the pool and spa. In their own words - 'It's a Home Away from Home.'

Amenities offered include complimentary continental breakfast, coffee/tea maker, refrigerator,
hair dryer, cable TV, private bathrooms with showers and bathtubs, work desks, free wi-fi. You also get free parking, safe deposit boxes, guest laundry services, an outdoor heated pool, outdoor spa tub and whirlpool, and business services.

The guest rooms have direct exterior-access, and are spacious enough for 1 King or 2 double beds, with room left over to throw in a couple more beds in between. The floor-to-ceiling windows with both heavy and light drapes for your preference make it seem like a big luxury hotel room. Actually, the Cambridge Inn is one of the best Palm Springs motels you'll ever see, and offers standard rates from $70.

Info: 1277 South Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA; (877) 325-5574; www.cambridgeinnpalmsprings.com/

Check-in to the Marina inn San Diego

What is the best way to enjoy the golden San Diego beaches and other attractions if you're on a budget? You check-in to the Marina Inn Hotel & Suites, 2 blocks from the Cruise Ship Terminal, with the Gaslamp Quarter less than a mile off, and both Sea World and the San Diego Zoo less than 3 miles away. Rates from $59 to $154, depending on your preference of accomodations and date of stay.

If you're looking for San Diego motels, you don't really need to know more than that, but allow me to hammer in a few more nails anyway. The good people at the Marina Inn offer their guests free self-parking, a complimentary breakfast with waffles and coffee, free newspapers, complimentary wireless internet, cable TV with HBO, hairdryers, iron & board, microwaves and refrigerators (last 4 on request).

They have a 24 hr front desk, and you can ask for rollaway beds and cribs, if you need them. The 27 air conditioned guest rooms at the Marina Inn offer views of the Marina with plush pillow-top beds and cherry wood, modern décor. Safes are provided in-room, and so is a coffee maker and free coffee.

After a hard day of checking out all the San Diego attractions, you can relax by walking over to the harbor and enjoying a beautiful sunset over the bay. Best part of it is that the Marina Inn is family and kid-friendly. They even a special kids' suite. Pets are allowed (fee per pet), and they also offer special packages which include discounted attraction tickets. More details here.

There's plenty of good restaurants and 24 hour dining facilities available in the vicinity, including a Denny's and a Steakhouse.

Info: 1943 Pacific Highway San Diego CA 92101; (619) 232-7551; www.marinainnsd.com/

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/

Palm Springs hotel? 7 Springs to mind

Given that Palm Springs motels are virtually redundant given the low rates offered their hotels & resorts, I wasn't really surprised to see the 7 Springs Inn & Suites offering rates as low as $58. In fact, the 7 Springs is actually a 1960s motel which has been renovated and upgraded into a decent modern hotel.

The 7 Springs offers rooms, suites and 2 bedroom town homes. With the San Jacinto Mountains in the backdrop and the hotel's two courtyards in the foreground, and with their pool, spa tubs, sauna and BBQ grills waiting for you, the 7 Springs is ideally suited (and situated) to help you enjoy all the pleasures and wonders of Palm Springs vacations.

The $58 air-conditioned room offers a queen bed with 500 thread count sheets, down comforter (bedspread), feather pillows, and pillowtop mattress. You get complimentary high-speed internet access, DVD/CD player, television, microwave, refrigerator, marble bathroom with pedestal sink, and shower/tub combination. There's also an in-room safe.

The hotel is pet-friendly, with a $20 charge per pet per day. The pool is 30x12, one of the two spa tubs can accomodate 6 people and the other one 12. The BBQ facilities comprise of charcoal grills and umbreall tables set for picnics.

The 7 Springs is within 1 mile of the Spa Casino and other downtown Palm Springs attractions. Additional facilities and amenities include free parking, concierge and business services, and dry cleaning. The hotel's lobby offers free coffee and complimentary wireless internet, so it's a good place to set up base with your laptop, if you're in need of extended internet usage.

Info: 950 N. Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA 92262; (760) 320-9110

Re-LAX at the Travelodge Airport Hotel in Los Angeles

You can spend the entire time you're in Los Angeles hunting for cheap Los Angeles motels offering rooms at $64.95 per night, which are somewhere in the vicinity of LAX (that's Los Angeles International Airport), with a 24 hr airport shuttle, heated pool, free breakfast, in-room brewed coffee, free incoming faxes, access to a gym, morning newspaper, a 24 hr restaurnat and lounge (Denny's), rooms designed for kids, weekly discount rates, package deals for 'park & fly', pet friendly, and so on and so forth.

Think you can find accomodations in Los Angeles for $65 which offers all this? Only place you're going to it is at Travelodge Hotel at LAX. It's minutes from LAX, and close to southern California beaches and within driving distance of all the major Los Angeles attractions including Beverly Hills, Disneyland, Hermosa Beach, Hollywood, Magic Mountain, Santa Monica, UCLA, Universal Studios and Venice Beach.

The free breakfast offering includes fresh fruit, sweet rolls, bagels, cream cheese, muffins, breads, cereals, hard boiled eggs, milk, juices, coffee & tea.

Amenities, in addition to those listed above, include meeting rooms, a gift shop, guest laundry and same day valet service. Additional in-room amenities include cable TV with HBO, ESPN, CNN and otehr channels, pay per view movies, nintendo player, hair dryer, and iron & board.

They'll also help you out with plans for your Los Angeles vacations, including car rentals and a sight-seeing tour bus which leaves from right outside the hotel. Oh, and they have half-day discount rates. Like I said, the Travelodge LAX is the best thing since sliced bread was invented. Well, maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but...

Info: 5547 W. Century Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90045; (310) 649-4000; www.travelodgelax.com/

Enjoy Luxury & Comfort inn Central Park West

New York's Upper West Side holds some of the best tourist attractions in New York, including including Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Central Park, American Museum of Natural History, the Broadway Theater district, world-class shopping on Fifth Avenue and Radio City Music Hall entertainment venue.

And the Comfort Inn Central Park West is located in the heart of this vibrant nook in the Big Apple. It's also convinient if you want to go further afield, in terms of access to the subway and buses. And it's going to be way better than any New York hotels you'll find for the same price, if at all.

Amenities offered include free deluxe continental breakfast, free high-speed internet, free weekday newspaper, coffee maker and free coffee, an exercise room and concierge desk. You also get copy & fax services, guest laundry, refrigirator, cable/satellite TV, in-room safe, hair dryer, and iron & board. Rates from $289.99.

Info: 31 West 71st St. New York NY 10023; (212) 721-4770; website

Finding Liberty inn Atlantic City

I just read an article which says that people outside Vegas find it hard to believe that Vegas residents are not interested in the incredible pleasures that Sin City offers - The implication being that the casinos and hotels in Las Vegas are enjoyed only by visitors. The situation in Atlantic City is somewhat similar.

Only people who stay in Atlantic City are those who hit the jackpot, or those who are stinking rich. For the commoners, the affordable facilities of Atlantic City motels would be less a vacation than like some punishment.

But there's a way to get around this. You can have fun in the casinos, check out the attractions and the boardwalk and the rest of the routine, and then enjoy a nice drive out alongside the New Jersey beaches. There's plenty of cheap and decent lodging within a 10 mile radius of AC. Take for example, the Liberty Inn at Galloway Township, near Absecon, 5 miles from Atlantic City.

Liberty Inn offers Jacuzzi Suites with DVD players and DVD movies along with Playstation, HBO, cable, high speed internet with computer rentals, unlimited local and long distance phone calls, personal Microwave/fridge, hair dryers, and iron & ironing board.

Services and amenities include free parking, guest laundry, free Ice, tea & coffee with newspapers. They also have vending machines for cigarettes, soda, chips & fast food.

Best part is that you get all this for rates starting from $39. In short, you have everything you need to wrap up Atlantic City vacations on the cheap, without suffering the indiginities that AC heaps on those whose pockets are empty.

Info: 252 E. White Horse PikeRoute 30 - GSP Exit 40 Galloway NJ 08205; (609) 748-8700; www.atlanticcitylibertyinn.com/

River Park Motel suites budget Chicago travelers

Most visitors give this part of Chicago a wide berth, but if you're willing to accept a 15 minute drive down Lake Shore to Michigan Ave and all the world famous attractions of Chicago downtown, then the River Park Motel on Lincoln Ave in Chicago's Northside is pretty much a good deal.

There are no other Chicago motels which will offer you, for $60, an airconditioned guest room with a king bed, cable television, shower and bath, and free wifi internet. It's not exactly cutting edge state-of-the-art luxury, but if you're looking to 'do' Chicago on a budget, then you'll find the River Park Motel suites you just fine.

Rooms are clean and relatively spacious, but not much in the form of decor. Plain wite walls, with a faded poster on the cream wall behind and above the bed. Dinky wooden shelf with some drawers and the television set on top. Lampshade on top of the TV, and a mirror on the wall next to it. Bathroom with a basin and a curtained shower is garishly lit in bright yellow light, but again - the facilities are quite adequate, if not pleasing to the eye.

The bed is just about the biggest thing you'll see in a motel, and nearly stretches out from wall to wall. You could easily accomodate an entire girl scout camp on that bed. You can get a 5% discount if you use a coupon which you can print off their website.

Info: 6060 North Lincoln Avenue Chicago IL 60659; (773) 539-4800; www.riverparkmotel.com/

North by Northgate to the El Cajon Motel San Diego

Tired of getting ripped off by the expensive beach-front San Diego motels and hotels? Head north to the El Cajon Motel, located on Interstate 8 by Northgate in El Cajon.

It's a good 15 miles to the San Diego Zoo, 19 miles to Sea World San Diego. But the drive down to the attractions in San Diego is more than made up for by the El Cajon Motel, in terms of amenities and price. Complimentary amenities include a continental breakfast, guest parking, daily newspapers, and local calls.

Hotel amenities include wireless internet, safe deposit box at the 24-hour front desk, and a business center with fax and photocopy services. Public areas are air conditioned.

In-room amenities include direct access from exterior to each of the motel's 18 air conditioned rooms, blackout drapes/curtains, cable/satellite TV, climate control, coffee/tea maker, cribs available at desk, direct-dial phone, electronic/magnetic keys, extra towels and bedding, fax machine and free local calls, hair dryer (on request), in-room safe, complimentary internet access, and wireless internet, iron/ironing board (on request), private bathroom and shower/tub combination, refrigerator and rollaway beds.

Best part is, you get to use all this for $50 (plus tax) per night. Go to San Diego downtown, and you'll end up paying anywhere between $100 to $300, depending on your preferences and needs. Saving at last 100% per night on lodging, and possibly more, allows you to spend that much more on enjoying your vacations in San Diego.

Info: 461 N Magnolia Ave El Cajon CA 92020; (619) 579-6110; www.northgatesd.com/

Capitol Hill Holding Court in Washington DC

If you're planning to get something done on Capitol Hill, you'll need to find a cheap place to stay. Booking in at a posh luxury hotel is fine, but when the says stretch into weeks, even a corporate expense account can start looking insufficient.

Granted, it's not advisable to check into Motel 6 or one of the other cheapo Washington DC motels (in case you need to entertain), but you can split the difference and end up at a medium-scale hotel, like the Washington Court Hotel on Capitol Hill.

And in fact, they have a 'Spring Fling' promotion, valid until May 31, under which you get a 20% discount off the standard rates. So a deluxe double 'double' room with an executive desk and Italian marble bath, whcih normally costs $248, you get for $198.40.

And believe me, when you're dining at Bistro 525 and you have a room with a marble bath and a view of the US Capitol, $198.40 is very, very reasonable. Plus, it's all very new, because they just completed a massive remodel of the lobby, guest rooms and meeting space. Each guest room now features a new chic, contemporary design, from the carpet, drapes and furniture, to the new LCD TVs and ergonomic work desks.

Additional in-room amenties offered include iron & board, hairdryer, bathrobe, two-line phone, and turndown service upon request. Hotel amenities include a gift shop, dining at Bistro 525, Federal City bar & billiards room, business center, fitness center, concierge desk, 24-hour bell staff services, valet parking, complimentary newspaper, video on demand, in room wireless high speed internet, and express check-out.

It's a convinient location and affordable accomodations, for both business and leisure travelers, looking to make some to check out the world famous Washington DC attractions.

Info: 525 New Jersey Avenue NW Washington DC 20001; (202) 628-2100; http://washingtoncourthotel.com/