Can someone recommend some websites to check hotel rates. I have my cousin and his wife coming to stay with us from Italy in the beginning of May. We live in NJ and will be driving down to DC. Staying Fri to Sun. I want to show them a great time but I have to watch my finances. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Travelocity.com
Expedia.com
hoteldiscounts.com

I think a good one for DC specifically is www.dcaccommodations.com, otherwise www.quikbook.com is one of the best overall sites I've used for many cities.

Rates for hotels in D.C. are much lower for Friday and Saturday nights. In addition to hotel websites check out the Travel SEction in a Sunday NY Times. You will find a number of advertisements for DC hotels.

Also check the individual hotel companies' sites. Hyatt has some very good last minute sales; so does Sheraton.

Hotrooms.com specializes in DC and Chicago (and i found excellent rates thru them while in Chicago, but i don't know how their DC rates compare).