The next best way to find great hotel deals is to plan your stay to coincide with the end of the tourist season - and by end, we mean after everyone else has gone home. During the off season, many hotels will find themselves half empty or more. During these empty periods, it is easy to get great hotel deals, as every day a room spends empty costs the hotel money. So during these times, hotels are most generally willing to offer deep, deep discounts on their available rooms. This is also a great tip to remember for anyone who is planning a honeymoon; as during these empty, off season periods, you may even find great hotel deals on honeymoon suites.
Sometimes, you may get a good deal if you can talk to the manager of the hotel where you are planning to stay.