I guess that's why no hotel lets you pay cash.
Sure you can pay in cash at the end if you want.
But you can't get a room in the first place without a credit card, even if they never charge it.
(I mean I'm sure there are some exceptions somewhere, but generally speaking, no, cash isn't sufficient.)
A friend of mine works night audit in a rough part of the valley. As soon as he says the magic words 'we require a major credit card or a $300 deposit', they immediately hang up.