left: A three-tiered fountain serves as the heart of The Maison Dupuy's courtyard, where guests can order a drink or appetizers from the bar. right: The guest rooms at The Maison Dupuy feature imported draperies, local artwork, and marble bathrooms. Several rooms boast intimate balconies.

We believe it's still possible to get a good hotel without draining the savings account.

We anonymously scoured the South in search of unforgettable lodging. The rate (tax not included) could not top $100. We had to negotiate, browse the Web, and sprinkle a bit of pixie dust, but our picks offer a night's stay where one crisp $100 bill can buy a room where you can walk to the beach (Sea Turtle Inn), hang out in the hippest part of town (Hotel Indigo), or peek out over glorious mountaintops (The Iris Inn). Here are our favorites.

Note: This article has been edited on October 31, 2005. To the best of our knowledge, this restaurant will re-open for business by January 2006.

1. The Maison Dupuy Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana
This intimate hotel is distinctively New Orleans. A charming courtyard, with wrought iron tables and a large, three-tiered fountain, serves as the epicenter of this French Quarter inn. The 200 rooms feel quite European, as they seem cozy and rather small, but still they are nicely decorated. Several come with tiny balconies overlooking the courtyard or French Quarter.

Bourbon Street is just a skip away, so ask about the quieter rooms if sleep is a major concern; it can get noisier in certain areas of the hotel. Rates: start at $99 and above during the spring and fall high season. Lower rates are available in the summer and winter. 1-800-535-9177 or www.maisondupuy.com.

2. Crowne Plaza Lexington at The Campbell House, Lexington, Kentucky
This grand hotel, with its white-columned front entrance and elegant lobby, is the essence of Southern hospitality. From the bellmen and the waitstaff to the housekeepers and the front desk clerks, expect friendliness and warmth.

Any day now, the hotel will complete a $20-million renovation, an undertaking that will have remodeled every one of its 290 guest rooms; all common spaces, including the lobby and restaurant; the indoor swimming pool; and the two-story bar that overlooks the pool. The changes will make this historic property even better than it has always been. Rates: range $89-$179. January and February are the best times to get low rates. They tend to be higher when horse events are in town. (859) 255-4281 or www.thecampbellhouse.net.