Real men can sleep on the floor of a van or SUV if need be, and certainly the floor of a cheap ass motel. Props to the motel 6, fuck spending coin on a "nice" room that you will only spend a few hours in, and not even be concious for most of that time!
I guess its all about wants and needs,,,,,,in this matter ...I chose to go last yr at the last minute......and by January most of the good places are usually booked as the Arnold (expo and other events) IS the only big thing they all look fwd to. But usually fans will book the great places early but like you say I can also sleep anywhere....besides in 2005, I just went to the airport after the show waited in the lobby till my 6am flight!