Mexico’s El Presidente hotels are giving away...

Mexico’s El Presidente hotels are giving away one free night for every three days that you book a room. Choices in Acapulco, Ixtapa, Loreto, Los Cabos, Oaxaca, Mexico City. These are among Mexico’s top hotels. As low as $56 per person for three days, two nights. Includes a full American breakfast, a welcome drink. (The offer is good till the end of March.) Ask your travel agent for a copy of El Presidente’s “MexiGo Vacation Guide” or call El Presidente toll-free (800) 472-2427.

Phoning Home

John Hatfield of Salem, Ore., has a good word for EurAide, a telephone message service for travelers in Europe. “Last year while we were overseas our friends called a toll-free number in Illinois with messages that were transmitted to EurAide’s office in Munich. In turn we called the office in Munich to receive the messages. The use of this service eliminated the need to make expensive calls home from Europe. Highly recommended.”

EurAide says you can receive messages from any point in Europe merely by calling the Munich headquarters. You pay $49 for the service for 30 days. A second month costs $35. Contact EurAide, P.O. Box 2375, Naperville, Ill. 60565 or telephone toll-free (800) 247-4755.

Hawaii Newsletter

A newsletter with items describing bargains in Hawaii will become available starting March 1. Listings of hotels/condominiums, car rentals, tour packages. Other details on low-cost air fares to the islands from major U.S./Canadian cities. Tips for visitors, an events calendar. Dozens of little-known bargains, promises the publisher. Subscription rate is $15 for one year. Copies mailed monthly. For information about subscriptions to the Royal Hawaiian Newsletter, write to Kona Publishing Co., 777 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.

Colorado Catalogue

A company that calls itself ResWest is mailing free copies of a new catalogue that features southwestern Colorado: Durango, Telluride, Vallecito Lake, Ouray and Crested Butte. More than 70 inns/lodges, four ski resorts. ResWest also represents the Durango & Silverton narrow-gauge railroad as well as groups doing river rafting/horseback riding trips, Western cookouts. A B&B; called the Scrubby Oaks in Durango (overlooking the Animas Valley) is priced at $40. Includes a king-size breakfast. On the Southern Ute Indian Reservation you’ll pay $18-$20. (Hard to beat those rates.) This is a 16-page, magazine-size catalogue. Worth a stamp. Write to ResWest, P.O. Box 57, Durango, Colo. 81302 or call toll-free (800) 228-4524. In Colorado phone (800) 247-7846.

Rentals in Spain

Rentals along the Costa del Sol are available beginning at about $170 per week. A total of 500 units (apartments and villas) near Nerja. The development is called El Capistrano. Indoor-outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, gymnasium. Activities in the area include riding, golf, tennis. Water sports on Burriana Beach. Details from Maria Santos c/o International Lodging & Travel Corp., 89-27 182nd Place, Hollis, N.Y. 11423. Telephone (718) 291-1342. (This same company also represents properties along the Costa Brava as well as other areas of Spain.)

A Letter From Britain

Richard and Cynthia Hayes invite Americans to visit them in “our very beautiful and luxurious home in Pembrokeshire National Park” in West Wales. Fifteen acres. More than 1,000 varieties of rare plants, trees, shrubs. The Hayeses “welcome Americans as friends,” offer B&B; accommodations for nine guests. Double rooms with private baths/showers. Central heating, a swimming pool, sauna. Tennis, water skiing, fishing, yachting.

The property is called the Four Ashes. Dates from the mid-1800s. A good location for touring nearby castles. About four hours from London. (The cross-Channel ferry to southern Ireland is close by). Rates from 20 a night, including breakfast. Or there’s a cottage on the property that rents for 200 per week. Contact Richard and Cynthia Hayes c/o Four Ashes, Cosheston, Pembroke Dock, Dyfed SA72 4TX, United Kingdom.

New York Update

Last week we made mention of a company called Manhattan Passport (344 West 23rd St., New York 10011) that arranges sightseeing jaunts, negotiates hotel rates, etc. for visitors to the Big Apple. “Our bargaining more than pays our hourly rates, still $25,” said Ina Lee Selden who heads up Manhattan Passport. Now she tells us she was mistaken, that her minimum charge is $50. At that price maybe you’d be better off making your own reservations. Or get your travel agent to do it free.

Reader Recommendations

England--Donna and Lou Knierim, Del Mar: “Found marvelous food and wine in the countryside, reasonably priced, beautifully prepared, with excellent wine, in historic settings. Our discoveries include: The Plough, (Bourton Road, Clanfield, Oxon OX8 2RB), four-course meals in this restored coaching inn from 17 to 20. Wyck Hill House (Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire GL54 1TTY). Felt like special family guest in this newly restored manor house (financed by Houston women); elegant dinner, four courses for 16. Chef Ian Smith was recently named one of the best in the U.K. Lords of the Manor (Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire GL54 2JD). Another charming manor house. New Year’s Eve dinner here was our best meal of all. Special seven-course meal for 32 each. La Madonette (7 Horsefair, Chipping Norton) in a quaint, check-tableclothed, bistro setting. Excellent if not glamorous French meal for about 35 for two. Moon & Sixpence (6a Broad St., Bath, Avon). Very innovative, fresh, well-prepared food; almost California cuisine. About 32 for two.”

England--Keith F. Hurt, South Gate: Praise for B&B; operated by Mrs. Ivie Clarke, Pollurian Road, Mullion, Helston, Cornwall, England. “Views of the bounding main.” Rate: $17; dinner, $6.

Scotland--Irene Graham, Glendale: Recommends B&Bs.; “Daphne and Lou Skinner, 12 Windsor Gardens, Pitlochry, Perthshire, phone 16 5BE. Wonderful accommodations, friendly, helpful host. $12 per person. The Cottage restaurant, 40 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire, phone PH16 5BX. Superb food, moderate prices, reservations a must. Mrs. W. D. Taylor, Blairgarry, Doune Road, Dunblane, Perthshire. Beautiful private house. B&B; plus evening snack $12 per person. Mrs. F. Hull, Hartforth, 33 London Road, Strannaer. Congenial hostess. B&B; plus evening snack about $11 per person. Close to ferry.”

Hawaii--Sylvia and Jim Weishaus, Studio City: “A great restaurant in Kauai, Hawaii. The Casa di Amici, 2484 Keneke St. and Lighthouse Road. Dinner was so good that we went back a second evening. Light entrees range from $5 to $9.”

Arizona--Peggy Rothring, Thousand Oaks: “Bed and breakfast in the home of David and Joan Ford, 720 W. Aspen, Flagstaff, Ariz. 86001. Clean, warm atmosphere. Fruit and cookies await in your room. Full breakfast. A wonderful stopping place on the way to the Grand Canyon. A 10-minute walk to Northern Arizona University. Singles, $25, doubles, $35.”

Maryland--Albert and Ann Bien, Anaheim: “We highly recommend the home of Theresa Dearborn, 3744 Thomas Point Road, Annapolis, Md. 21403. Double room with private connecting bath, overlooking Chesapeake Bay. Delicious breakfasts. Paid $60 for two. This included afternoon wine and cheese as well as breakfast.”

Wales--Jerry and Lois Dunklin, Canoga Park: “The best farmhouse in Wales is a one-day drive to tourist attractions. Nellie Edwards is a gourmet cook, renowned for desserts. Harri Edwards is an entertaining host. Evenings spent in their parlor by the fire. Treated like family all the time. Bed, breakfast and dinner for two for five days was $165. Contact the Edwardses at Bryn Melin, Rhyduchaf, Bala, North Wales, United Kingdom.”

Reader Recommendations should be brief (typewritten or printed). Cannot be used without prices and addresses. Please, no brochures.