Hotels in Kyoto are VERY full this year, especially during late November and early December since this is the best season to view red/maple leaves. I actually booked a business hotel from 1/Dec to 3/Dec two months ago~ so it is probably too late for you to find a cheaper lodging now.
I guess the only option for you now is to stay at Osaka instead. There are a lot more choices in Osaka, and it is actually quite convenient to travel from Osaka to Kyoto, only around half an hour by train if you stay in Umeda or Namba area. But better be quick~ you can try booking hotels via:
http://www.mytrip.net
http://www.jalan.net
Alternatively, business hotels such as Toyoko inn and Super Hotel are also two very popular choices:
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/
http://www.superhotel.co.jp/en/find.html
Good luck!
2006-11-16 18:06:35 補充：
If you use mytrip.net or jalan.net, just enter the date (i.e. 3/Dec - 4/Dec) and perform a search in Osaka or Kyoto area. The search results will display hotels which have rooms in that period of time; if the hotel cannot be found in the search results, that means it is full.
2006-11-16 21:46:27 補充：
我見到東橫Inn大阪梅田中津，難波12月3、4日都仲有雙人房bor~睇睇：
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00034/index.htmlhttp://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00054/index.html其實上網自己book酒店一d都唔難，無謂比多一重手續費o丫！
2006-11-17 21:56:52 補充：
yukit_ch，其實唔多讚成你去到幫佢book埋hotel既地步；始終係佢自己選擇自由行，佢有責任自己去學下~唔肯學o既，就不如跟團，或俾agent book。不過都好佩服你咁肯幫人！
