Where to stay in Columbia?

 I'll be traveling to Columbia, SC in August for a Lace Convention and because I'm looking for a dr that makes RNY surgery using Medicare I found SC Obesity Center.  So now I'm thinking traveling either a few days before my convention and go to a seminar or stay a little longer.  I won't have problem with my stay from August 25-29, but the days before and after that date I need to find a place to stay.

Does anyone knows of a place to stay near the Center?  Hotels are out of question because the stay will be more than 10 days and will cost a minimum of $600 or more.  I have a budget for rent of $400-$500.

Any information will be greatly appreciated!!!    I marked it urgently because I need to buy my air ticket this week or the next one and need the information to see if I can travel to a seminar and my event or just to my event.

You can always check a few places:
www.hotwire.com 
http://www.hotwire.com/hotel/results.jsp?searchTokenId=1
or
www.hotels.com
or
www.priceline.com

i always have a good luck finding places on these sites. i.e.

http://travela.priceline.com/hotel/filterListings.do?key=gbc oh2ru&jsk=9903010a2203010a2010070721253274E611502214&plf=PCL H&gID=0&sLevel=-1&filterAmenities=-1&hotelBrand=-1&filterPri ceMin=0&filterPriceMax=50&filterRatingMin=6&filterRatingMax= 10&hotelBrand=-1&hotelName=-1&updateHotelList=Y

   Thanks for the information.  I have never used those services but I'll try them right now!

you are welcome. just be careful. Siunce you can buy the hotels on line - most of them will not offer a refund or allow you any changes after you pay for the room.