Some of the recent posts reminded me of an experience I had over a decade ago (2012).

All of the places I wanted to reserve a motel room at were either full or quite expensive. This was in Whitefish Montana, a lot of tourism business in that area. But I managed with internet searches to find a lower cost motel that did not pay the larger booking agencies to list them, thus you would not find them with Expedia or Booking or anyone else.

I called them to make a reservation. Was quite affordable.

I was taking Amtrak to get there, the train was running quite late. I called them in the afternoon and said I expected to arrive after midnight. They said they were a small family run motel, did not staff the office after 11 pm, so they offered to leave my key in an envelope that I could find upon my arrival. I got there at 2am, the key was in an envelope with my name on it where I expected to find it.

Sometimes those small places that are not listed on the booking agent websites are the best option, if you can find them.

I just did an internet search for them, they appear to have closed six years ago.