Club 55 Members Find Vagabonding Enriching

Vagabond Inns has begun an ambitious enrichment of its almost year-old Club 55 program for mature travelers. It is putting on a series of special events at many of its more than 40 properties in the West, plus motor-coach tours and other travel activities.

The San Diego-based chain has also signed marketing agreements with two other Western hotel chains: Nendels Motor Inns (in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah) and Sandman Hotels & Inns (Western Canada).

Club 55’s special rates for members will be extended to include the more than two dozen hotels and inns of Nendels and Sandman. Club 55 does not have a discount per se, but issues a special rate card to members. It averages about 15% off systemwide, but that can vary with the season and from property to property.

Vaga-Value Coupons

In addition to the regular special rates, the Club 55 bimonthly newsletter usually has 10 super Vaga-Value coupons offering even lower rates at various Vagabond Inns.

Much of the impetus for Club 55’s new direction comes from its new executive director, Douglas A. Farley, a veteran of more than 30 years in hotels, convention bureaus and other travel services.

Farley, who doesn’t look, act or feel his 70 years, jumped at the chance to come out of retirement from hotel sales and marketing to take over the operation of Club 55.

“It’s great, just great,” Farley says. “Here I am an active senior who loves the hotel industry, and people, with a great opportunity to help other active seniors get out and enjoy the best years of our lives.”

Club 55 has already reached more than 40,000 members in its first year with a $10 enrollment fee (more than that is returned in a bag of gifts plus $10 in coupons good at any Vagabond Inn).

“Having that many members is super and we love to offer them the special rates,” Farley says. “After all, they deserve it. But I want them to get involved, to enjoy themselves, meet new folks. Belonging to anything is a waste of time if you don’t get involved.”

So Farley is planning a series of monthly events at selected Vagabond Inns across California and Nevada this year, each with a theme party and special rates. Most will be drive-yourself events, but he’s also planning for several “Vagabus” short tours, each to visit two or more inns. And it’s also possible that these could be dual operations, motor-coach tours for some plus drive-your-own-car-along the-route for others.

‘Basque Bash’

The first of these events is next Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a Bakersfield “Basque Bash and Golf Tournament” at the Hill House Vagabond Inn in Bakersfield.

Included are two nights’ accommodations, an eight-course Basque dinner on Friday evening, two cocktail parties, two continental breakfasts and other activities, including a mystery tour motorcade. The cost is $99.50 per couple, which isn’t bad, because Farley says the normal retail cost would be $175. There is a golf tournament as well, but that’s an additional $12, including cart.

Coming up May 31 to June 3 is a Mexican Fiesta party at the Chula Vista Vagabond Inn that will include the usual get-acquainted parties, continental breakfasts and a tour to Tijuana with dinner at El Abajene. The price isn’t settled yet, Farley said, but will be a bit above $150 per couple.

Farley is still finishing details on the balance of Club 55’s other special events, which will include such festivities as celebrating San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge 50th Anniversary, a San Pedro Portuguese party, plus other events in Palm Springs, Reno, Las Vegas and Bishop.

For more information on the Bakersfield Basque Bash or on Club 55 in general, write to Doug Farley, Club 55, Box 85011, San Diego 92138, or phone (619) 578-8710.

Just a reminder: The Time of Your Life Expo comes up April 25-27 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Travel and leisure time make up a good portion of this show aimed at the 50-plus group, with exhibits from airlines, hotel chains, cruise lines, tour operators and others.

Dollar-off discount coupons (gate admission is $3.75) are available at Lucky stores, participating Denny’s restaurants, Thrifty Drug stores and May Co. department stores.