Anonymity and Short term Stays at Hotels/Motels

Have had occassion to need a hotel/motel over the last few months but didn't know how to cover my tracks. Questions: 1.) what is the best way to protect my anonymity and not provide personal information and credit cards when booking a room so I can make sure I don't have strange billings on my credit card; and 2.) are there ways to tactfully get a room for a shorter duration rather than paying a whole day (yeah I understand places like the Gates Motel might do that but do other more upscale places). Thanks all and my apologies if this is not the appropriate forum.

Hold the room on the card and pay cash when checking out
Don't use easy check out (Where you walk out in the morning and they bill your card)

I don't know of any nice hotel that will give you a break on rooms per half day.

I used to work in a hotel 30 yrs back. 11 p to 7 am. When asked for short stay, I would keep cash and clean room afterwoods. It never hurts to ask. This was a moderate level hotel, with only 1 person working the shift.

watch out for follow up e mails. I stayed at a local henrietta hotel. Payed cash but they wanted card for hold. Next day e mail asking how the stay was showed up. Must have got the e mail from CC info or something. I never gave it to them. It was family e mail, not personal. Was able to explain away as a work thing. Could certainly lead to issues.

Prepaid credit card to book room, then pay cash