I used Airbnb to book a room in an Austin Condo for last years SXSW. It cost around half a what a downtown hotel room cost (though was admittedly not quite as convenient).

I got in late the first night with no luggage (thanks airlines) so the guy I was staying with actually drove me to WalMart the next day to pick up some temporary clothes, insisted on buying me breakfast tacos and gave me a tour of Austin.

I used to work for a Fortune 100 company, travelled way too much and really grew to hate staying in hotels. Airbnb is a fantastic alternative.