The view from your recession

Remember the durable goods monopolist?

While many of Southern California's luxury hotels are battling a severe
slump in business by offering extra services and more amenities, the Rancho Bernardo Inn is luring guests with the exact opposite — no frills and barely any basics.

Called the "Survivor Package," the hotel's deeply discounted promotion
lets patrons trim its standard $219-per-night rate on a sliding scale
of deprivation, lowering charges with each amenity stripped from the
room.

The most basic version: a room for $19 with no bed, toilet paper,
towels, air-conditioning or "honor bar," and only a single light bulb
in the bathroom for safety. The next level up adds in a bed — sans
sheets — for $39 a night. For a bed plus toiletries and toilet paper,
the rate is $59.

Here is more information and for the pointer I thank Deron Bauman.