If your friend is a gov't employee have him go through his gov't travel agency. They can search a number of hotels and have per diem rates at hand. Gov't travel agents have never let me down in finding me a place to stay. Additionally, hotels and airlines allot a certain amount of rooms at the gov't rate during the busy periods, such as conventions. I found that sometimes I can beat the gov't rate by searching on my own, making resv's and canceling the gov't made booking. As a gov't employee, I frequently do this to save my command travel budget and your tax dollars. If you find nothing within per diem and there is a reason for the exceptionally high rates, the gov't does allow for 100% reimbursment for lodging. Have him check with his gov't travel or finance and accounting center for details.