Puerto Plata would then be on your way. Most of the options I know for 1 night will be well below your stated price range (and perhaps your standards as well). Montesilva is fine IMHO, but it as a nice little budget hotel. Others in the same price range would be Larmar or PP Beach Resort on the Malecon, Portofino on Hermanas Mirabel or my favorite, the apartementes in the Gran Hotel y Cabanas Turistica Sensacion, which are on the N Coast Hwy near Cofresi (but they do not take reservations). I am not very familiar with the more upscale non-AI hotels. Hopefully planner will read this and chime in, or perhaps you could PM her.
Another option if you are "so inclined"
is the Crystal's Mustang Ranch across from the Playa Dorada complex, where I believe you could get one night with meals, drinks and "something extra" for about 200.:bunny: