Thanks to everyone for all the good advice ^

After doing quite a bit of searching for hotels and rates, I'll echo what chexfan said: "hotels are crazy packed the 1st 3 weekends in September"

I guess September is still "summer" and tourist season so the rates are high to begin with and several hotels were simply sold out. So the ones with available rooms have the few rooms that are left at a premium price.

As a check I searched the last weekend in Sept. (9/29-10/1) and I found much more availability and prices $100-150 less! I don't know what the weather is llike this late in summer though, I'm sure there's a reason the hotel prices drop off.

Thanks again for all your help!