WEIRD WEDNESDAY: Vacation On A Shoestring

At the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort & Spa in San Diego, CA, the management team is offering a “Survivor Package” to attract would-be guests who may be dealing with lower than usual vacation budgets. Through September 17, 2009, the property (which has been recognized with 12 Gold Key Awards, 18 Executive Choice Awards, 18 Mobil Four Star Resort Awards and 32 AAA Four Diamond Resort Awards) is offering this package for as low as $19 per night.

There is a catch, however. That $19 per night will not get you a bed, or toiletries, or linens, or even lights (except for a bulb in the bathroom for safety). As reported by Reuters, one family checked into the upscale resort toting flashlights, sleeping bags, and an inflatable mattress. By depriving themselves of such standard fare as beds and lights, they were able to get their room for under $20 per night. Not bad, although it must take some work to strip down the room item by item to fit guests’ “choice” of amenities. Where are they storing all those beds?

The sliding scale at the Rancho Bernardo Inn reads like so:

  • $219 per night (all amenities included)
  • $199 without breakfast
  • $179 without honor bar
  • $159 without A/C or heat
  • $139 without pillows
  • $109 without sheets
  • $89 without lights
  • $59 without linens
  • $39 without toiletries
  • $19 without bed