Who says Hong Kong is expensive? Travelers...

Who says Hong Kong is expensive? Travelers on a budget can book a room at the YMCA (only a door or so from Hong Kong’s famed Peninsula Hotel) for about $25 a night (singles for around $20). For a sensational view, stroll diagonally across the street to the Regent Hotel with its floor-to-ceiling windows. Order a drink in the bar and watch the sampans, freighters, ocean liners pass only a few yards away. At night the lights of Hong Kong flash back from the opposite shore.

For reservations at the YMCA, write to P.O. Box 95096, Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Note: The Y is only a three-minute walk from the Star Ferry and just around the corner from Nathan Road with its hundreds of shops.

Vermont

Killington, Vt., is one of the East’s popular ski resorts. Takes in Sunrise Mountain, Bear Mountain, Skye Peak, Killington Peak, Snowdon Mountain, Rams Head Mountain. More than 100 trails, 18 lifts. Dozens of inns, condominiums, motels, lodges, chalets. Heated swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs. Sleigh rides, ice skating, snowshoeing.

Five-day ski-week packages in a country inn start at about $50 per guest (double occupancy). Includes breakfast and dinner. Killington is in central Vermont. About three hours by car or bus from Boston or Hartford. Free reservation service is offered by the Killington Lodging Bureau. Operates 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST. Call (802) 773-1330.

A couple of handy guides are available by writing to Killington Ski Week Guide/Lodging Directory, 203 Killington, Killington, Vt. 05751. (Details on restaurants and shopping as well as skiing and other recreational activities.)

A Letter From New Mexico

Larry and Lila Goodman dropped us a note about their new inn at Alto, N.M. “We’re six miles from the mountain resort of Ruidoso in the heart of Lincoln National Forest. Five rooms (Victorian, Country Western, Queen Anne, Oriental, French Country), private baths, brass and four-poster beds with comforters, goose down pillows. The inn overlooks the Capitan Mountains. There’s skiing, sledding, ice skating, hiking, riding, golf, tennis (depending on the season).”

Breakfast at the Goodmans features waffles, quiches, omelets. Tea and pastries in the afternoon, wine and cheese in the evening. The Goodmans call their B&B; “New Mexico’s friendliest inn.” Reasonable rates: $65 a night per couple. Write to the Goodmans c/o Sierra Mesa Lodge, P.O. Box 463, Alto, N.M. 88312 or telephone (505) 336-4515.

Hitchcock Thriller

Closer to home, ex-Texan Tom Taylor and his daughter Mary Leah have converted the old schoolhouse Alfred Hitchcock used in his film thriller “The Birds” into a B&B; at Bodega Bay, north of San Francisco. Appropriately, they call it the Schoolhouse Inn. Off California 1 about 60 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Four guest rooms, a dining room. Rate: $60 a night for a double. You can’t miss it. A picture of Hitchcock leers ominously from an upstairs window. The curious arrive daily to photograph the old building (circa 1880). Address: 17110 Bodega Lane, Bodega, Calif. 94922. For reservations telephone (707) 876-3257. Antique shops and galleries close by. For dining try the popular Blue Boar. (Taylor, an ex-Navy pilot, also operates a new inn, the Estero Vista, in Bodega. Same rate.)

France by Air/Rail

A few weeks ago we mentioned Air Inter’s Le France Pass. Now readers are requesting additional information. This pass is good for seven days of air travel throughout France for only $210. In a day of the weakening dollar, it’s a good buy. Provides unlimited travel to 30 cities throughout France. Call Jet Vacations, (213) 652-0990, or your travel agent. Meanwhile, the French National Railroads is selling “France Vacances” passes starting at $69 for four days, $130 for nine days and $170 for 16 days. Good for travel on all TGV high-speed trains as well as other lines in France. These are the 1987 rates. Prices in ’88 will be going up. Details from the French National Railroads, 9465 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 713, Beverly Hills, Calif. 90212. Telephone (213) 272-7967.

Handicapped

A magazine dedicated to the handicapped (The Itinerary) sells for $9 a year (six issues). Contains consumer surveys and reports. Concentrates on both domestic and international travel information along with listings of coming events, reviews of travel books/guides, articles by the disabled and family members. Other sections deal with announcements of new products and services along with medical tips. Gift subscriptions for Christmas are being accepted. To subscribe send the recipient’s name and address along with the donor’s name and a check/money order to The Itinerary Magazine, Subscription Department, P.O. Box 1084, Bayonne, N.J. 07002-1084. Copies will begin with the January/February issue.

For the Record

The telephone number for Spur of the Moment Cruises (deals in last-minute trips) was transposed in last Sunday’s Travel Tips. The correct toll-free number is (800) 233-2129. For callers living outside California, dial (213) 839-2418. Other information is available by writing to Spur of the Moment Cruises, 10780 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, Calif. 90230. Spur of the Moment also works with your travel agent.

Reader Recommendations

California--D. M. Brudney, Rancho Palos Verdes: Enjoyed The Inn at Saratoga, 20645 4th St., Saratoga, Calif. Rates from $100 to $485.

California--Michele Burgess: Doryman’s Inn, 2102 W. Oceanfront, Newport Beach 92663. “Decorated with antiques. Ten lovely rooms. Italian marble sunken tubs, fireplaces. Breakfast is served in the parlor or in your room. Prices range from $135 to $275.”

Vermont--Mrs. Albert Marston, Beverly Hills: High praise for the Rabbit Hill Inn, Lower Waterford, Vt. 05848. “Owners John and Maureen Magee were warm and interesting. The dining room was lovely. The menu had four choices. Desserts were marvelous. Rates: $55/$80.”

Mexico--C. B. Stuart, Broomall, Pa.: “A lovely hotel in Cancun called Suites Lomas Cancun, Retorno Viento Manzana 4, P.O. Box 512, Cancun, Quintana Roo, 77550 Mexico. Rates: $55/$75 U.S.”

Canada--Margaret Kartalian, Van Nuys: “The Century Plaza Hotel, 1015 Burrard St., Vancouver, B.C. VGZ IY5. Near downtown. Rooms are large and include a stove, refrigerator. Rate: $49 U.S. for a double.”

Scotland--Constance J. Moffatt, West Los Angeles: Hartfell House, c/o Mr. and Mrs. Drummond, Hartfell Crescent, Moffat, DG10 9AL. Rate: 9.50 single.

Canada--Linda West, Lake Arrowhead: “Spent three days at Emerald Lake Lodge, 60 miles west of Banff in Canada’s Yoho National Park. An undiscovered jewel in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. So secluded and peaceful that cars are not even allowed on the grounds. The lodge, built in 1902, has been completely remodeled. Miles of well-marked hiking trails. Canoe rentals and stables nearby. Rates vary with the season, averaging $100 U.S. a night for a double room. Address: The Emerald Lake Lodge, P.O. Box 1598, Banff, Alta., Canada.”

Italy--Richard Franco, Northridge: “A very excellent albergo (hotel) on Isola di Ischia. Rate: $50 U.S. (62,000 lira a day, which included breakfast). Address: Albergo Le Zagare, 80074 Casamicciola Terme, Via Vittorio Emanuel 10, Italy.”

England--Murray and Esther Kaufman, Santa Monica: Chesterfield Hotel, 11 Great Pulteney St., Bath, Avon, England. This street is called the Fifth Avenue of Bath. Rate: 44 a night for a lovely double room, including full English breakfast.