A suggestion: when you ask for advice, please do not utilize the above words. It is very very subjective. What is affordable or cheap to you, may not be to others. Be specific. What is the cost, in dollars, you are looking to purchase a product or service.
That's a great suggestion Jeff! Rick's books generally tend to list "budget" options for hotels as do other guidebooks. There are also lots of good suggestions on this site in the "Travel Tips" section as well as the "Graffiti Wall." It might be better for posters to research options and then pose a question about a specific hotel.
Here's just one example of the info available in the "Travel Tips" section: Daring to Sleep Cheap
It's also a good idea to check the reviews on "Trip Advisor" to make sure that a hotel though "affordable" meets their criteria.
This should be in the FAQ Frank II is working on.
Reason it should be in the FAQ is it comes up all the time.
If it's not put in the FAQ, by tomorrow night this topic will be buried and no one will see it again.
Frank (II), are you out there?