Rolling Hills of Tuscany
Dreaming of a luxury vacation, but don’t have the budget it requires? That luxury vacation may not be as far out of reach as you imagine.
The most recent Hotels.com Price Index (HPI), covering the first half of 2014, highlights the most affordable destinations in the world when it comes to the prices paid per night for five-star hotels by U.S. travelers. And you might be surprised who made the list.
Whether your dream vacation consists of a trip down history lane, visiting archeological wonders or relaxing amidst rolling hills and vineyards, you’ll find an affordable luxury destination to match your dream.
The best five-star values for U.S. travelers according to Hotels.com Price Index are:
1. Warsaw, Poland ($130/night)
For the second year in a row, Warsaw tops the list for the best value when it comes to five-star hotels. Stay at one of the top rated luxury hotels, while seeing everything Warsaw has to offer, from Old Town to the Wilanów Park-Palace Complex. Warsaw is an inspiring story – destroyed by the Nazis during WWII, it is now Poland’s central urban and commercial center.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
2. Pisa, Italy ($172/night)
When you think of Pisa you probably imagine the rolling hills of Tuscany, exquisite wine, and fabulous food. Add in some museums and architectural sites (like the Duomo de Pisa, Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Church of St. Sisto). Top it off with a stay in one of Pisa’s luxury hotels. Pure bliss.
Great Sphinx of Giza
3. Cairo, Egypt ($175/night)
There are some well-known luxury hotels to be found in Cairo: Kempinksi Nile Hotel Cairo, Fairmont Cairo, Ramses Hilton, and Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah to name a few. From any one of these, you can take guided tours of the Giza Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, and the Khan El-Khalili bazaar. Or simply enjoy the stunning views of the Nile from your hotel.
Mumbai, India
4. Mumbai, India ($176/night)
Mumbai is known for its thriving film and television industries (think “Slum Dog Millionaire”). Beyond that, it has one of the most revered temples in India and is the home to the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum.
5. Delhi, India ($179/night)
The capital of India is one of the world’s most dynamic cities – it is a center for commerce, entertainment, fashion and the arts. It is also one of the oldest cities in the world, so if you are a history buff, this is the place to be.
Rounding out the top ten are:
6. Bangkok, Thailand ($186/night)
7. Budapest, Hungary ($199/night)
8. Brussels, Belgium ($205/night)
9. Beijing, China ($209/night)
10. Istanbul, Turkey ($210/night)
Bangkok, Brussels, and Istanbul are also on Hotels.com’s list of 50 Most Popular International Cities for Americans.
Luxury destinations don’t have to be just a dream – they can be within budget’s length. The tough part will be to pick which destination to go to first!
*Note: Data is from Hotels.com Price Index and their Review of Global Hotel Prices January – June 2014.
