L.M.
I didn't see the original credit card question.
When you use the term "freeze" it implies that a company is not allowing you to use your checking account. That is not the case.
Yes, hotels, as well as gas stations and restaurants, will be a "hold" on a specific amount of funds. You can always ask the hotel what their policy is.
If you have a credit card, why don't you just use that to reserve the room? When you arrive, you can pay cash or pay with your debit card, you don't even have to make a charge on your credit card.
ADDED - I just read the replies and it seems like there's a lot of misinformation out there. This is how it works. When your going to make a charge on a credit card or use a debit card and the amount is unknown, the company will make an estimate of how much you might charge, plus a little extra. They tell the credit card company/bank that you're planning on charging/using up to $xxx amount. So now the credit card company/bank will put a hold on those funds. Your credit card is NOT charged. The money is NOT deducted from your account. Most people have absolutely no idea that it's even being done, or that it ever has been done as it doesn't show up anywhere. After the exact amount is known, the charge is made to your card/ debit deducted from your account for the exact amount. Shortly after that (can be up to several days) the remainder of the funds are taken off hold.