the weekend trips are quite exp when you count the costs

Say, a small one costs you about 350K - I dont even count the mortgage rate which would be at least 8% or higher if you use that financing.

Assuming you buy it by cash - at 5% a year lost interest on the 350K (the minimum, if you invest it in equity, should get more), it runs $17,500 interest income - if you can go out 1/2 of the year each weekend - that is 26 weekends - $17,500/26 = $673 per weekend - that is BEFORE anything else - the DEAD COST is at least $673. On that you add the maintenance, whatever.... For $800 a weekend, one can easily stay at places like St.Regis....