You're spot-on about the cost of the restaurant vs the dinner but I think it's also worth pointing out that being invited to be wined and dined at home still fe

You're spot-on about the cost of the restaurant vs the dinner but I think it's also worth pointing out that being invited to be wined and dined at home still feels awkward because it's usually expected that you bring in something (a gift if it's a special occasion or food if it's a potluck). Additionally staying with them at their vacation home might feel less awkard than staying at their home because at their home you know they'll have to clean up after you whereas at the vacation home there's usually a cleaning fee included in what they already paid for. I guess having a maid might cancel that out but at least where I live "I have a maid on call" money is more than "I can afford sometimes renting a vacation home with a spare bedroom for a trip".