Hotels have always tried to "book the house," or sell all their rooms for the night. In a down economy, hotels are just trying to stay afloat. This idea combined with the recent surge of websites offering cheap hotel rates online gives travelers leverage to negotiate better rates. Most hotels price match to stay competitive. If you call hotels directly and quote price you found at an online, they may provide you with even better rate. The same can be said of the many hotel guides that you find in news stands at roadside stops. These are basically small regional print magazines filled with hotel coupons that save travelers a few bucks. If you want to get a great deal, take the guide to a better hotel nearby and ask if they will match the advertised price. You probably won't land a luxury ho