5-Star Hotels You Can Actually Afford

Luxurious vacations tend to have the unfortunate quality of being very expensive. Plenty of people don’t need to fly first class or stay in a fancy hotel in order to have a wonderful trip, but still, it would be nice to enjoy an exceptionally comfortable suite on the occasional excursion, without paying an obscene amount of money to do so.

Taking advantage of coupons or deal-hunting travel sites is often a great way to save on vacation expenses, but your destination is often the largest factor in what you pay. It can cost hundreds of dollars a night to stay in some of the most popular cities around the globe, but that’s not always the case. Hotels.com analyzed lodging booked through its site and came up with a list of the cities with the most affordable 5-star hotels, many of which cost less than $200 a night.

If you’re looking to stay in a cushy hotel abroad, Europe and Asia may be the place to go — you’re on your own when it comes to finding decent airfare. Here are the 10 cities with the most affordable 5-star hotels, according to the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index:

10. Istanbul, Turkey
Average cost per night: $210
Price change since last year: -9%

9. Beijing, China
Average cost per night: $209
Price change since last year: -5%

8. Brussels, Belgium
Average cost per night: $205
Price change since last year: +6%

7. Budapest, Hungary
Average cost per night: $199
Price change since last year: +2%

6. Bangkok, Thailand
Average cost per night: $186
Price change since last year: -16%

5. Delhi, India
Average cost per night: $179
Price change since last year: -5%

4. Mumbai, India
Average cost per night: $176
Price change since last year: -7%

3. Cairo, Egypt
Average cost per night: $175
Price change since last year: -7%

2. Pisa, Italy
Average cost per night: $172
Price change since last year: -1%

1. Warsaw, Poland
Average cost per night: $130
Price change since last year: +9%

These rates are based on prices Americans paid for 5-star hotels in these cities booked through Hotels.com for trips during the first half of 2014. The site also has a list of 4-star hotels for the best value, but no matter where you go, you can probably find lodging that fits your price point, if you’re willing to be flexible.

You don’t need to stay at a 5-star hotel to have the luxurious experience you desire, but if that’s really what you’re looking for, make sure you’re not sacrificing your financial well-being as a result. Whether you’re using funds set aside for an adventure, taking advantage of an unexpected increase in available cash or putting your vacation on your credit card, make sure you’ll be able to afford it. There’s no sense in going into debt over a vacation.

More Money-Saving Reads:

Image: Jeff_Hu

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