I saw a snippet last night of a house you can rent on an island that is $12k per night . Of course it comes w/ servants, etc. But geez -

I'm curious - what's the most you or someone you know has ever paid for leisure accomodations? What made it worth it?

For me it was a ghastly $500 a night several years ago in the Caribbean. Quite terrific but I can't imaging what experience you get for a multiple of 20!

My husband and I paid $600 (including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a golfcart) for the William Wrigley suite at Mount Ida Inn on Catalina Island. It was a milestone anniversary, worthy of such a splurge. (The golfcart was included as island transportation; only a few number of locals are allowed to drive cars.)

The Wrigley suite had a terrific water view, a huge private deck with loungers, a large bedroom, and a large living room. There are only six rooms in the Inn; snacks and beverages are out in the public areas of the house at all times.

William Wrigley and his wife used this as their summer home. He owned the Chicago Cubs at the time; they did their spring training on Catalina Island. You can't get into much trouble there!

Considerable thought and research was done before spending this kind of money. Was it worth it? Yes, given the context of the event. Would I do it in general? No, absolutely not.

I've never gone over $2,000 per night (and that was inclusive of meals), but if you want the big leagues, there are private islands for rent such as Necker Island, a 74-acre, private island northeast of Virgin Gorda that is owned by Richard Branson. It is available for rent to one group at a time. Rates for 2000 ranged from $14,000 per night for 1-7 guests to $22,500 per night for 20-24 guests.

Sometimes these expensive house rentals turn out to be bargains because they accommodate so many people. This summer some friends and my family and I have a castle rented in Umbria - built by the infamous Borgia family - for a little under $1000 a night. It comes with two cooks, a maid, pool, tennis court and is on Lago Trasimeno. Because the place sleeps 14 it actually works out to be pretty cheap on a per person basis.

The most my husband and I have paid is about $450 a night for some of our sailboat charters. Fortunately most of my stays in what are supposed to be really expensive rooms have been free.

$650 per night, Le Meridien Bora Bora. Worth it? Absolutely!

Highest I would pay is probably $1,000 per night.

That's quite true letiole - we rent a big house on Bald Head Island (off the coast of NC) every year for our family of 12 (+3 babies). Although it's around $800/night that's a bargain for a group that big.. plus it comes w/ two golf carts, since that's the only way other than feet or bicycles you can get around that beautiful place.