Luxury vacations don't have to come with a luxury price tag. A recent analysis reveals the cities and regions where travelers can enjoy surprisingly affordable stays at 5-star hotels — and where hotel rates have dropped the most in recent months.
If you're dreaming of staying at a 5-star hotel, you don't necessarily have to spend a fortune to make it happen. The“2026 Hotel Price Index”from the “Hotels.com” website shows that luxury accommodations in some destinations around the world are significantly cheaper than many travelers would expect. At the same time, the analysis reveals in which regions hotel prices have fallen particularly sharply recently.
According to the analysis, Southeast Asia appears particularly attractive. On the coast of Vietnam, Nha Trang is one of the most affordable places in the world to stay at a 5-star hotel. The city is known for its long sandy beaches, its lively boardwalk, and the offshore islands with their colorful coral reefs.
But Europe, too, offers surprisingly affordable luxury destinations. From the Spanish city of Zaragoza to Wroclaw in Poland and on to the Baltic capitals of Riga and Tallinn, travelers will find high-quality hotels at prices that would barely cover a mid-range hotel elsewhere.
Nha Trang, Vietnam – starting at 80 euros
Zaragoza, Spain – starting at 140 euros
Wrocław, Poland – starting at 140 euros
Tirana, Albania – starting at 150 euros
Riga, Latvia – starting at 150 euros
Zagreb, Croatia – starting at 150 euros
Sofia, Bulgaria – starting at 155 euros
Heraklion (Crete), Greece – starting at 155 euros
Tallinn, Estonia – starting at 162 euros
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – starting at 162 euros
However, it is important to note that star ratings vary from country to country. What is classified as a 5-star hotel in one destination may differ from the standards in other countries in terms of amenities, service, or comfort. It's therefore always worth taking a look at guest reviews.
The study also shows that the destination isn't the only factor that determines the cost. Flexible travelers can also save money by timing their bookings right. Last-minute reservations, in particular, often turn out to be cheaper than stays planned well in advance. The day of arrival also matters: In many places, you'll pay less if you check in on Sunday instead of Saturday.
In addition to attractive luxury rates, the “Hotel Price Index” also lists numerous regions where the average cost of a night’s stay has fallen significantly compared to the previous year. Price declines are particularly sharp in some popular cultural, beach, and city destinations.
Loire Valley, France – down 32 percent
Edmonton, Canada – down 31 percent
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – down 30 percent
Dortmund, Germany – down 21 percent
Turin, Italy – down 21 percent
Kassandra (Chalkidiki), Greece – down 21 percent
Agrigento (Sicily), Italy – down 21 percent
Montego Bay, Jamaica – down 18 percent
Cancún, Mexico – down 16 percent
Dominica, Caribbean – down 13 percent
