There’s nothing quite like staying at a luxury hotel. A hotel that’s beautifully designed, ideally located, and has a comfy bed with premium linens. Of course, these hotels are often expensive but they don’t have to be.
One of my favourite travel memories is of a staycation I took at the Hotel Van Zandt in Austin. I didn’t even technically ‘travel’ anywhere, but the experience of staying at such a cool hotel exceeded a lot of my other trips. From the still-warm homemade cookies and complimentary glasses of wine in the lobby to the fourth-floor pool deck with an underwater sound system, every detail was impeccably thought out.
If you want to find luxury hotel stays like this, but don’t have the budget, you’ve come to the right place.
- What is a luxury hotel?
- What makes a luxury hotel affordable?
- The importance of researching and planning before you book
- 5 ways to find cheap luxury hotels on KAYAK
- Conclusion
- Some of our favourite cities to stay in a luxury hotel
- FAQ Section
What is a luxury hotel?
While you’ll probably get a slightly different definition depending on who you ask, luxury hotels tend to have a few key things in common. Expect to have at least one first-class dining option on-site, if not more. Luxury hotels also have a range of top-of-the-line amenities, like a full-service spa, a well-equipped gym, and a sleek swimming pool area.
According to the hotel star system, luxury hotels fall under the four- and five-star rating. Other common components of a luxury hotel include excellent (and personalised) customer service. Aside from the front desk staff, this extends to laundry services, car hire services, concierges, and babysitting and pet services. And of course, luxury hotels spare no expense when it comes to decor and design throughout the property.
What makes a luxury hotel affordable?
In general, a luxury hotel with top-tier amenities and accommodations that cost less than £250 per night is considered affordable. These are often hotels with high-end amenities and services that are located in lesser-known areas (or areas where the cost of living is lower). For example, you’ll probably pay less for a luxury hotel in Guatemala than you would in Italy.
The importance of researching and planning before you book
You’ll never get a good deal on a luxury hotel if you don’t research and plan. Check out KAYAK’s “5-star steals” for a comprehensive list of cities for a five-star hotel vacation. In addition, there are a couple of other ways to get cheap luxury hotel stays.
One of the best ways is to book off-season, especially if you’re planning on visiting a popular destination. Also, if you’re up for doing a fair amount of research, you can do some negotiating to get the best deal. Find different price points for your hotel on different sites, then call the hotel to tell them the price you found and see if they’re able to beat it when you book directly with them.
Another great way to get the best deal on a luxury hotel room is to book a room with free cancellation as soon as you spot a good deal, even if it’s several months out. Then, after you book, check on the price regularly to see if it changes. If the price drops, cancel your reservation (as long as you can do so without penalty; read the fine print beforehand) and rebook your room at the lower rate.
Sure, this requires a little work, but it’s a surefire way to get a good deal if you’re willing and able to put in the time.
5 ways to find cheap luxury hotels on KAYAK
Finding the perfect accommodation for the right price can make or break your holiday. Using the KAYAK mobile app or your computer, go to the KAYAK hotel search, here are five ways you can find and secure luxury accommodation for a more affordable rate:
- KAYAK Reviews. By utilising KAYAK reviews, you can search hundreds of other travel sites at the same time to find the best lodging option for your needs.
- KAYAK Filter. Take advantage of KAYAK’s hotel and flight filters, which search nearly every travel and airline site available to show you all your options. This way, you can really figure out which one works best for you.
- Price indicators from the Calendar Smarty. With this handy tool, you’ll be able to see hotel (and flight) price indicators on the calendar, which are colour-coded for your convenience. Stay up to date on all the best prices for luxury hotels around the world.
- Exclusive deals programs. KAYAK offers a variety of different deals programmes – including Member Rates and Private Deals – so you can find the lowest rates possible. These provide discounted rates to people who are already a member of (or are willing to sign up for) membership or loyalty programmes of a hotel chain.
- Price alerts to track the best price. You’ll never miss a deal when you sign up for price alerts. Alerts will notify you as soon as hotel prices change, as well as customised alerts for your favourite locations and preferred travel dates. Get alerts via your phone or inbox, so you can act fast on great hotel rates.
Luxury hotels offer a first-rate experience that sets them apart from other hotels, with top-notch customer service, signature amenities, and sophisticated accommodations. L
Luckily for travellers on a budget, you can occasionally score amazing deals on high-end hotels (if you’re willing to put in the work). Thanks to a combination of using the right KAYAK tools and spending time researching all your options, it’s absolutely possible to secure luxury lodging at a relatively affordable price.
Some of the best cities to stay in a luxury hotel
For me, there’s nowhere like Paris, and staying in a luxury hotel in Paris is truly one of the best holidays I could ever ask for. It’s tough to pick a favourite when it comes to upscale Paris lodgings, but I’d narrow it down to two hotels: Le Meurice – Dorchester Collection and Le Bristol Paris.
Considered one of the first luxury hotels in the world, Le Meurice is just off the Tuileries Garden and is stunningly elegant, the Michelin-starred Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse is a must-visit, and people-watching in Paris doesn’t get any better than Bar 228.
And speaking of Michelin stars, Le Bristol Paris has four of them; dining at the on-site restaurant Epicure is one of the best gastronomic experiences in the city. Rooms are sumptuous, with designer fabrics, original artwork, and Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture in some. Do yourself a favour and book an upper-level room for the view of the Eiffel Tower.
Another of my very favourite cities in the world is Mexico City, which I adore for the food, art, architecture, and overall vibe (trust me: go once and you’ll fall in love). Even though there are so many aspects of the city that I love, I’d go here if only for La Valise, one of the coolest hotels I’ve stayed at. Located on a quaint tree-lined street in La Roma neighbourhood of Mexico City, this hotel has just three (huge) suites. You feel like you’re staying in a colonial townhouse as opposed to a hotel, and the details – a personalised (complimentary) minibar, a freestanding tub, 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens – are outstanding.
Still undecided on where to go? Get inspired with the KAYAK Explore option and earn points while planning and booking great trips. Check out our top luxury hotels in Amsterdam, Manchester, and Edinburg.
How to find cheap luxury hotels FAQ
What are small luxury hotels called?
Small luxury hotels are typically called boutique hotels and are different from chain hotels, in that they’re small (not bigger than 100 rooms) and offer personalised services. They also usually have distinctive design elements and/or historic architecture. Often, a good boutique hotel will incorporate details that pay homage to the place it’s located in and have an emphasis on food and beverages as well.
Do hotels get cheaper the closer you get?
Most hospitality experts agree: hotel prices tend to go down the longer you wait. These prices fluctuate quite a bit (depending on demand), but in general, the closer you get to your date, the cheaper your room will be. This is especially true for last-minute bookings. If you can wait until a couple of weeks before you leave to book your hotel, you can expect to save some cash. Of course, this is a general rule and also doesn’t take into account busy travel periods, like the holidays – in which case, you should definitely book in advance, not a couple of weeks before.
How do you know if a hotel is luxury?
Luxury hotels have upscale amenities, which can include state-of-the-art spas, 24-hour gyms (with better equipment than most), and gourmet on-site dining options. According to the hotel star system, luxury hotels have four- and five-star ratings. These types of hotels have high-end rooms that come with a host of amenities, like a minibar, signature toiletries, a sleek TV and more. There’s also a high premium placed on providing exceptional customer service at luxury hotels. Staff will likely remember your name and go out of their way to ensure you’re getting everything you need throughout your stay.
