I read the original article and many of the comments. LU came up with a number of scenarios that if they were true the author would not have mentioned it. He stated “he knows of a family that borrowed $80,000”. It seems the author knows the family and their circumstances and in his mind cannot understand why they borrowed the money.
I have never been away from home for pesach (and I include in that the years I went to my in-laws) as we helped as if we were home (cooking and cleaning both prior to and on Pesach). I cannot criticize those who can afford it and go to a hotel.