If you’re hunting for bargains, this has...

If you’re hunting for bargains, this has to be one of the season’s best buys: five days at Mission San Luis Rey Retreat near Oceanside for only $125 per couple ($100 single). Besides a bunk, the rate includes breakfast, dinner daily. “Cheapest vacation in the United States,” says Father Michael Weishaar. Mission San Luis Rey (founded in 1798) features a swimming pool, tennis, volleyball courts. A total of 55 guest rooms. “A ‘holy motel,’ ” quips Father Michael, who reminds would-be guests that baths are shared. To get a fix on the mission, it’s four miles east of Interstate 5 at Oceanside, only minutes from the beach. For details write to Retreat Center, P.O. Box 409, San Luis Rey, Calif. 92068, or telephone (619) 757-3659.

Palos Verdes

Off-campus apartments operated by Marymount Palos Verdes College will be up for grabs this summer for $25 (one bedroom), $40 (two bedrooms) per night. Refrigerators, stoves. Apartments are within walking distance of markets, drugstores, parks. Guests have campus privileges (swimming pools, tennis courts). A real value for friends, relatives visiting the L.A. area. Contact Donald L. Williams, Marymount Palos Verdes College, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. 90274. Telephone (213) 377-5501.

English Cottage

Dorothy Ralphs of Gardena owns an English cottage near Chichester, England. On the rail line between Gatwick Airport and London’s Victoria Station. “Close to cathedrals, a castle, ferry to Isle of Wight and a wealth of wonderful scenery, pubs,” says Ralphs. This is a Tudor-style cottage . . . furnished “to suit American tastes.” Ralphs describes the house and garden as “England at its prettiest and best.” Rates: $90 per day, $450 per week. Telephone Ralphs during the day: (213) 327-2825.

Paris Apartment

An apartment for the price of a hotel room in Paris is the lure tossed out by a Canadian who also does barge trips in France. Rates for the apartments start as low as $75 a day. TV, stereos, kitchens, food stocks. Even a few bottles of wine. “For people who would like to feel comfortably at home in Paris but don’t want to pay for the Ritz,” says our tipster. The apartments are in the Marais section of the city (this is old, old Paris). Special rates for weekly, monthly rentals. Contact William Forsythe, 6 Clearbrooke Circle, Rexdale, Ontario, Canada M9W 2E3. Forsythe also books barge trips on the canals of France for $399/$600 for six days/nights. Breakfast and lunch are part of the deal.

Traveling Inexpensively

Joan Marsden claims you can “stay in a hotel in the woods outside Karlsbad, Germany, for less than $4 a night.” Marsden publishes a biannual newsletter (combined with a catalogue of hard-to-find travel books). It’s called “How to Travel Inexpensively.” Filled with tips for vacationing on the cheap, and it’s free. Write to Marsden c/o Nomadic Books, 201 N.E. 45th, Seattle, Wash. 98105. Says Marsden: “We offer a large collection of books about out-of-the-way adventures: hitchhiking in Africa, climbing volcanoes in Mexico, bushwalking in New Guinea or working your way around the world.”

Weekending in New York

Although New York isn’t noted for its bargains, here’s one that’s reasonable. A hotel room for two nights for as little as $105 per person (double occupancy) plus tickets to a Broadway play, complimentary cocktails, free parking and a champagne breakfast delivered to your room. For the Big Apple, that’s cheap. The offer comes from Days Inn on 57th Street, only a few minutes from the theater district. Your travel agent has details. (For a list of reasonable restaurants in Manhattan, write for the free guide published by the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2 Columbus Circle, New York 10019.) If you enjoy deli food, try Kaplan’s on West 47th between 5th and 6th avenues. (Dinners, $3.50/$10.)

Campus Bargains

More than 600 colleges and universities in the United States and Europe will be providing guest lodging this summer for $6 to $16 a day. Rentals by the day, week or month. Accommodations vary from single/double rooms to bedroom apartments and suites with kitchens. Universities in 25 countries overseas charge an average of $11 a day. Schools generally provide food service as well as rooms. Guests get in on the campus action--tennis, boating, swimming, concerts. You’ll find all the details in the 70-page 1986/87 “U.S. and Worldwide Accommodations Guide” ($9.95) published by Campus Travel Service, 1303 E. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, Calif. 92661. (Also contains addresses of U.S. and European tourist offices, home exchange/B&B; agencies and dozens of tips for travelers.) A slim publication but it can save you money if you’re following the economy trail.

Farmhouse in England

This note from M. and J. Dimblegy, Valley Farm, Kites Hardwick, Warwicks CU23 8AA, England: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome American visitors to our farm in the heart of Shakespeare’s England. We live 84 miles north of London. Stratford-on-Avon is 20 miles distant, Warwick Castle is just 12 miles away and Rugby is five miles away. The nearby village of Dunchurch provides many Old World eating places. Our home is a modern ranch-style building. One looks over our fields of grazing sheep and cattle. There is every comfort. Antique furnishings. Ample breakfasts. We should like to assure your readers of a warm welcome if they are traveling our way.” Sorry, Dimblegy didn’t include price.

For the Record

In The Times Summer Vacation issue, April 13, mention was made of Ah Wilderness Guest Ranch in Colorado. For the information of our readers, Ah Wilderness has been purchased by the neighboring guest resort, Tall Timber, and will now offer horseback riding to guests of Tall Timber. For other details and reservations, write to Tall Timber, S.S.R., Box 90, Durango, Colo. 81301 or telephone (303) 259-4813.

Reader Recommendations

France--Beverly Dunham, San Clemente: Raves about Le Notre Dame Hotel, 1 Quai Saint-Michael, 75005 Paris (telephone 1-43-54-20-43). “Our corner room directly faced the River Seine and Notre Dame. This spotless hotel has 28 rooms and was completely remodeled about six months ago. A lovely girl named Patricia was the desk clerk. She was charming and made us feel so welcome. An ideal location if you don’t mind a little street noise. Rates: 400/500 francs per night.”

Canada--Pauline Richardson, Glendale: “Enjoyed the Bairich B&B;, 7391 Waterton, Richmond, B.C. V7A 4L6, Canada. Paid $35 per night for two. A lovely hostess.”

Ireland--Pamela Turski and Paula Deats, Beverly Hills: “A wonderful hotel/pub in Belfast called the York, 5 Botanic Ave., Belfast 7. Run by the Dougall family. Near Queen’s University. Rates: 12.8 per person. Includes a full breakfast. The downstairs pub is both inviting and entertaining. Frequented by colorful locals. Sid the doorman might be the most charming (and eligible!) lad in Ireland. Can’t wait to go back.”

Italy--Mary B. Muller, Rome: Recommends Ristorante La Toscanella ditta Marchi, Via Modena, Rome 53-54. Telephone 46-12-89.

England--Mae Lois Ricks, Los Angeles: “Spent 10 days at Canterbury Hall, University of London. Meals were excellent. Bedding is furnished. Private and shared rooms. Rates under $25 plus tax. Write to Canterbury Hall, Cartwright Gardens, London WC1 H9EE, England.”

England--Myrna and Martin Plast, Rancho Palos Verdes: Recommend car rentals from Ford Personal Import/Export Ltd., 8 Balderton St., London W14 2BN.

Readers: Your recommendations should contain the addresses of hotels, inns, restaurants, as well as prices whenever possible. (Please print or type.)