two nights at Kamikochi

I am going to visit Takayama on 11/10 - 13/10 and wanted to add two nights at Kamikochi after that before returning to Tokyo. I wanted to have a nice day hike in the valley. I know there is a bus to Kamikochi from Takayama, but all the hotels in Kamikochi itself are very expensive.

I am looking for an advise for a place in the Kamikochi area that:

1. I can get to with public bus from Takayama (as I do not plan to have a car)
2. From the place I sleep in I can have a nice hike in the area without the need to travel to a remote hiking area.

Right now I have booked "Hotel Shirakabaso" in Kamikochi near its bus station, but it is very expensive (about 400 US $ per day for a couple)and I would like to consider a somewhat cheaper place if I can get there easily enough with a bus and it is located in a nice hiking area.

Thank you,

Yuval

I know there is a bus to Kamikochi from Takayama

There are no direct buses. A transfer is required at Hirayu Onsen.

but all the hotels in Kamikochi itself are very expensive.

There are also a few cheaper hotels and camp grounds:
http://www.kamikochi.or.jp/english/institution/