I'm just back from two trips to P.P. $30 for an excellent budget hotel near the riverfront may be a stretch. I just stayed at the Frangipani Fine Arts Hotel (Street 178 close to the river) and it was terrific and a super value at $50. Just across the street is Fresh Evening at #54. This is a really local crowd beer garden with surprisingly great food. You and the "beer girls" are there for the evening at around $10 a head and you won't see another tourist.