Earlier quoted context omitted.
You can pay with cash. You usually can't stay without a credit card. Even debit often doesn't suffice.
Debit is a pain for them to deal with, because the hold they put on the card is a lot more than people expect. Customers complain when all of a sudden they have no money in their accounts. I avoided getting credit cards for years, but you really do need on if you travel a lot.
I have never had an issue checking in with a debit card. A couple hundred dollar hold really shouldn't be an issue if you can afford to travel in the first place.