With well over two decades of travel experience, I’ve stayed in many hotels and resorts over the years. In the beginning, it was all about finding the cheapest possible rates, but now the focus is only on getting the very best value. After all, who doesn’t like to enjoy some luxurious comforts without having to pay an exorbitant price? Keep in mind that rates can change frequently, but as of now, these five-star hotels are among the least expensive you’ll find on the planet, allowing your dollar to go further while enjoying a more indulgent experience.
ADERO Scottsdale - Scottsdale, Arizona
Part of the Autograph Collection, the 5-star Adero Scottsdale offers rates as low as $141 per night if you stay at least three nights and $181 otherwise. Set on a desert ridge within a protected Dark Sky Community for exceptional stargazing, this top Arizona resort offers in-room telescopes and frequent stargazing events led by astronomers. There are two outdoor pools and a hot tub on the grounds, along with a holistic spa, a fitness club with free classes, and an on-site restaurant and wine bar. Rooms come with balconies where you can relax with a view of the Four Peaks Mountains.
Key Amenities:
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Stargazing opportunities with in-room telescopes
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Multiple outdoor pools
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Rooms with mountain-view balconies
13225 N Eagle Ridge Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85268, USA— +1 480-333-1900
Grand Venus La Residence - Siem Reap, Cambodia
A new, luxurious 5-star hotel in Siem Reap, the Grand Venus La Residence is located in the Kouk Chak area close to multiple attractions. While many people visit the city to see the magnificent ruins of Angkor Wat, you might have a hard time leaving if you stay here. Not only are there opening specials with rooms for just $69 per night, but there are also special packages for romantic couples’ stays and for families. Look forward to exceptional service, a gorgeous outdoor pool, a spa with a comprehensive menu of health and beauty treatments, and an on-site restaurant serving Khmer cuisine, Pan-Asian, and Western fare.
Key Amenities:
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Close to top attractions
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Hotel packages for couples and families
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An outdoor pool and luxe spa
Steigenberger Resort Achti - Luxor, Egypt
You can stay at the 5-star Steigenberger Resort Achti for only around $70 a night. It boasts a prime location in the center of Luxor, a city that’s like an open-air museum, home to the oldest and highest concentration of ancient Egyptian sites. Guests can enjoy numerous facilities, including three outdoor pools (one that is kids’ only), a hot tub, and a salon. There are multiple restaurants serving international fare, along with a cafe, cocktail bar, and a shisha lounge. If you’re up for some friendly competition, you’ll find a pool table too. Some rooms come with whirlpool tubs and terraces with views of the Nile River. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and minifridges.
Key Amenities:
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Convenient location in the city center
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Multiple outdoor pools, including a kid-friendly pool
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Upgraded rooms with Nile River views
Khaled Ibn El Waleed, Gazirat Al Awameyah, Luxor, Luxor Governorate 85951, Egypt— +20 95 2274544
The Raweekanlaya Bangkok Wellness Cuisine Resort - Bangkok, Thailand
The Raweekanlaya offers a central location in Bangkok within walking distance of the National Museum Bangkok and The Grand Palace. Enjoy a refined five-star stay in a storied 19th-century building with a focus on wellness, surrounded by lush greenery that’s highlighted by a 120-year-old Banyan tree. There are a wide range of massage options, a fitness center, and an outdoor pool with a pool bar that serves fruit juices. The on-site restaurant offers authentic Thai cuisine based on local, seasonal produce from small-scale farmers in the area, while rooms start at around $80 a night. All come with flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. If you want to splurge a bit, there are suites with private terraces and open-air hot tubs.
Key Amenities:
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Walking distance from top attractions
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An outdoor pool with a pool bar
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Luxe suites with hot tubs
Krung Kasem Rd, Khwaeng Bang Khun Phrom, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand
Oddfellows on the Park - Cheadle, United Kingdom
You might be surprised to find a very affordable five-star option in the UK, but Oddfellows on the Park is just that. Located just four miles from Manchester Airport, it’s set within an 1860s Victorian mansion alongside beautiful Bruntwood Park. Rooms have park views, comfy beds with lots of pillows, flat-screen TVs, radios, Nespresso coffee machines, kettles with complimentary tea, minibars, and free bottled water. Some of the suites feature clawfoot tubs for a relaxing soak. There’s a sophisticated restaurant and cocktail bar on-site, and afternoon tea is served as well.
Key Amenities:
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A short drive from Manchester Airport
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Spacious rooms with Bruntwood Park views
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Upgraded suites with clawfoot tubs
bruntwood park, Bruntwood Ln, Cheadle SK8 1HX, UK— +44 161 697 3066
Pullman Bali Legian Beach - Bali, Indonesia
For less than $100 a night, you can enjoy a stay at the luxurious 5-star Pullman Bali Legian Beach in Bali. You’ll be just over a 5-minute walk from Kuta Beach, a lively stretch known for its outstanding surfing and stunning sunsets. Spread over five buildings with thatched roofs, all rooms have furnished balconies or terraces, flat-screen TVs, minibars, beach towels, and beach baskets, while the spacious bathrooms come with deep soaking tubs and waffle robes. Yoga mats and weights are complimentary for in-room use. As an added bonus, guests are welcomed with a fruit basket and various Bali souvenirs. There’s a rooftop infinity pool with sea views and two fabulous restaurants on-site too.
Key Amenities:
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A quick walk from Kuta Beach
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All rooms have furnished balconies/terraces
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Luxury rooftop pool with sea views
Jl. Melasti No.1, Legian, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia— +62 361 762500
Epoque Hotel – Bucharest, Romania
Epoque Hotel offers sophisticated rooms starting at about $150 a night, with Junior Suites for less than $200. Some come with terraces and kitchenettes, while all are done up in Neo-Romanian style with standard amenities that include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and coffeemakers. The spa is a highlight with a relaxing indoor pool that includes hydromassage and a dry and wet sauna. You’ll also find an upscale French eatery and a posh lounge.
Key Amenities:
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Affordable Junior Suites
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A posh spa with an indoor pool
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Chic on-site eatery and lounge
Intrarea Aurora 17C, București 010213, Romania— +40 371 528 528
Meriton Suites Chatswood - Sydney, Australia
While Sydney is a very pricey city, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a 5-star bargain. Meriton Suites Chatswood is arguably the best value you’ll find at only around $100 a night. It’s located just north of downtown in the Lower North Shore area, set within a chic high-rise for picturesque views. An apartment hotel with one- to three-bedroom options, all have floor-to-ceiling windows, high-end kitchens, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, and washer/dryers. Some include balconies or verandahs. An indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and gym are all on-site.
Key Amenities:
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Family-friendly one to three-bedroom options
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Rooms include floor-to-ceiling windows with city views
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Access to an indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna
79 Albert Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia— +61 2 8318 2000
Palais des Remparts - Essaouira, Morocco
The majestic Palais Des Remparts sits in the heart of Essaouira’s medina just a few minutes from the beach. Set within an 18th-century mansion; it offers a tranquil oasis with an atmospheric entrance that includes a fountain and palm trees. Rooms are available starting at around $80 a night, and all are spacious with standard amenities that include flat-screen satellite TVs, bathrobes, and city of sea views. Breakfast is included. Excursions and activities can be arranged, including camel rides, horseback riding, and quad biking. An a la carte and buffet restaurant is on-site too.
Key Amenities:
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Located a few minutes from the coast
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Rooms offer stunning city and sea views
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Complimentary breakfast included
Palais des remparts hôtel, 18 Rue Ibn Rochd, Essaouira 44000, Morocco— +212 5244-75110
Corinthia Hotel - Prague, Czechia
The 5-star Corinitha Hotel in Prague is set within a modern glass tower building and has a lush interior, complete with a spa on the top floor. It offers Espa treatments, a steam bath and sauna facilities, and a pool with magnificent views looking out to Petrin Hill and Prague Castle. There’s also a fitness center and several dining options. Let’s Eat has an open terrace for dining on international fare, while The Grill is known for its wood-oven pizzas. The intimate Rickshaw is the highlight of serving Far Eastern dishes in an exotic setting. The rooms come with all the comforts one would expect from a luxury hotel, with the upper-floor rooms boasting breathtaking views over the city.
Key Amenities:
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A luxury spa with a pool and sauna
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Multiple dining options
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Upgraded rooms with impressive views of Prague
Kongresová 1, 140 69 Praha 4-Nusle, Czechia— +420 261 191 211
NH Collection Plaza Santiago - Santiago, Chile
The NH Collection Plaza Santiago offers a bargain in Santiago’s financial district and awe-inspiring views over the Andes Mountains. Rates start at just $125 a night for this 5-star hotel with luxurious facilities which include a heated indoor pool, a sauna, hot tub, and fitness room. There’s a casual restaurant for enjoying Mediterranean cuisine and a bar that offers a happy hour buffet too. Some rooms come with mountain views and whirlpool tubs, while all feature flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minifridges, and coffeemakers.
Key Amenities:
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Stunning Andes Mountain views
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A heated indoor pool and sauna
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Upgraded rooms with whirlpool tubs
Av. Vitacura 2610, 7550098 Santiago, Las Condes, Región Metropolitana, Chile— +56 2 2433 9000
The Royal Surakarta Heritage Solo McGallery Collection - Surakarta, Java, Indonesia
Located in the historic royal capital of Surakarta (also known as Solo) on the island of Java, The Royal Surakarta Heritage Solo McGallery Collection is a five-star boutique hotel with rooms available for as low as about $75 a night. It’s perfectly located close to famous shopping venues and attractions like Klewer Market, the Kauman Batik Village, and the Beteng Trade Center, all of which can be reached within just a short walk. It offers a gorgeous spa, a semi-outdoor swimming pool and a poolside bar, a fitness center, and an elegant on-site eatery. Rooms have Javanese ambiance and modern facilities, including in-room bars, satellite TVs, premium coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi.
Key Amenities:
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A short walk from top attractions
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A swimming pool and poolside bar
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Stylish on-site restaurant
Graffite Gallery Hotel - Varna, Bulgaria
The Graffite Gallery Hotel is a design hotel in the heart of Varna, which sits along the coast edging the Black Sea. It’s just a few minutes on foot from a sandy beach and offers rooms at around just $100 a night. It has a focus on relaxation, art, and gastronomy, with a wide range of facilities that include a rooftop terrace, a spa, a fitness center, and an indoor pool. Rooms include beds with Egyptian cotton linens, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and bathrooms with large tubs. Some include terraces with panoramic views.
Key Amenities:
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A short walk to the beach
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Rooftop terrace, spa, and indoor pool
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Upgraded rooms with outdoor terraces
bul. "Knyaz Boris I" 65, 9000 Varna Center, Varna, Bulgaria— +359 52 989 900
Novotel Ahmedabad Hotel - Ahmedabad, India
The Novotel Ahmedabad Hotel starts at around $60 per night yet it’s ultra-luxe and comes complete with a beautiful rooftop pool. Guest rooms are extra spacious and include floor-to-ceiling windows, while suites add kitchenettes and access to the premier lounge. Room service is available, and there’s an excellent restaurant on-site with a menu of Korean and Japanese dishes.
Key Amenities:
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Beautiful rooftop pool
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Rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows
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On-site eatery with international dishes
