The hotels in Mandalay are very cheap. When you go to a budget hotel, you'll pay something between 2 and 5 US$ incl. breakfast. We stayed in the ET hotel (what's in a name). It is on 83rd st; between 24th and 23rd street and payed 10 US$ for a room with AC (of no use because no electricity), bathroom and breakfast (7/99). Also very good, some reports say it's a bit better, is the Royal Guesthouse on 82nd st. They charge 6 US$ for a clean room with AC, bathroom and breakfast. Latest price quoted was 10 US$ (7/99). These 2 hotels are in the downtown area. From the busstation it is a 15 to 20 min. drive with rickshaws. Pay no more then 15 cents for this ride.