Latest news with #fiveStarHotels
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
5 International Destinations Where You Can Have a 5-Star Stay for Under $200
Staying at a five-star hotel can cost a pretty penny in the U.S., but you can find significantly more affordable rates when you're traveling abroad. According to a new report, international five-star hotels are 27% cheaper on average than their U.S. counterparts. Check Out: Read Next: The report also identified several international destinations where you can stay at a five-star hotel for less than $200 a night. Here's where to go if you want to experience luxury accommodations without blowing your travel budget. Average 5-star hotel rate: $156 a night Explore More: Average 5-star hotel rate: $157 a night Average 5-star hotel rate: $163 a night Average 5-star hotel rate: $186 a night Average 5-star hotel rate: $192 a night More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard Clever Ways To Save Money That Actually Work in 2025 5 Cities You Need To Consider If You're Retiring in 2025 This article originally appeared on 5 International Destinations Where You Can Have a 5-Star Stay for Under $200
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Yahoo
5 US Cities With the Most Affordable 5-Star Hotels in 2025
Staying at a five-star hotel is a luxurious experience. You get to enjoy top-of-the-line amenities ranging from high-quality sheets to access to high-end, on-site spas, and little touches throughout your stay that elevate your whole trip. The only downside is the typically high price you'll pay to get that hotel key. Explore More: Read Next: However, some U.S. cities have five-star hotels with nightly rates that won't leave you with too much sticker shock. A new report found the cities with the most affordable five-star hotels, and in all of these locations, the average rate is under $400 a night. Here's a look at the U.S. cities where you can find the most affordable five-star hotels this year. Average 5-star hotel rate: $287 a night Find Out: Average 5-star hotel rate: $340 a night Average 5-star hotel rate: $341 a night Average 5-star hotel rate: $361 a night Average 5-star hotel rate: $386 a night More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Your State? How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region This article originally appeared on 5 US Cities With the Most Affordable 5-Star Hotels in 2025
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
16-06-2025
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Why I Quit My Dream Job As A Jet Setter
I got to jet-set around the world but no one truly knew the price I was personally paying… I recently quit the dream job. A role that involved me travelling around the world, experiencing different cultures, staying at five-star hotels, and ticking off bucket list destinations one at a time. But through the rollercoaster of success, the dream slowly morphed into a burden. The belief that this was the pinnacle of achievement began to weigh on me. I was stuck between what society applauds and my growing desire for a slower, more conscious life. Five years in, my body's whispers turned into screams. I realised I was living everyone else's dream but not my own. I tried shifting toward wellness tourism, but that pivot only magnified how much I'd neglected myself and my mental health. The one plus point? These retreats helped me reconnect with something deeper. I wanted to explore this path but without the cameras. I wanted to be fully present. Fear and doubt were constant companions, amplified by others who kept asking: 'Who leaves a dream job?' I remember calling my mother and saying, 'Mum, it feels like a job now.' She replied, 'It's always been a job, but one you used to enjoy.' Her support carried me through, but letting go of my job title was terrifying. It took me over a year to find the courage. Wise mentors told me, 'When you leave this, other doors will open.' With that in mind and desperate for freedom, I resigned. A rush of emotions came over me: we were the first Arabic TV show to talk about endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and put the spotlight on tourism in Bhutan. The thing is, no one knew the price I was paying behind my carefully curated social media feed. What I was sharing on my socials was a filtered 10 per cent of my real life. Behind the glamour, a quiet toll grew. I felt increasingly isolated. People saw my social media and thought, 'She's living the life.' But really, I became a master at hiding the pain. You'd see me jetsetting in helicopters, planes, riding horses – but with all that freedom of movement, going to far-flung corners of the world, I still lacked inner freedom. I often fell sick due to this high-stress life, constantly getting on long-haul flights, landing and having to go, go go. I felt lonely, experiencing these places on my own. So many viewers came along to 'see' these countries with me – but no one could reminisce with me about it afterwards. All this travel was strictly professional, not personal. The camera showed me exploring and experiencing spectacular places, but the reality was not so glamorous. What my real job entailed was securing sponsors, handling itineraries, writing scripts, sorting out visas, getting filming permits and insurance, doing the customs paperwork, and fine-tuning transport logistics. Once on location, I had to be camera ready, doing my own hair and make-up, while managing the schedule for the day and responding to clients. Once the cameras rolled, I had to be vibrant and engaging. And usually, I'd already be planning for the next trip. I did all of this on my own and was often met with 'not enough.' My team was amazing, but they were a technical crew, their involvement began just before take-off. Beautiful hotels were used for sleep and showcasing on camera. Even in the spa, the cameraman followed. It became almost funny how different people's perceptions were. It looked like I was in the lap of luxury, but I still had to iron my own clothes. There's a video of me hugging a radiator in a hotel room. Slumped over on the floor. At first it might seem funny; in it I even crack a smile through my coughing as I notice someone is filming. But at that time I was bent over in pain, trying to gain comfort through its warmth between takes as fear, relief, liberation. I had nothing lined up except a yoga teacher training trip. A gift to myself for choosing courage. What followed was transformative. I began to value myself beyond external success. I started trusting my instincts and redefining success. I can't deny it started off as a dream – but it had an expiration date. I chose to give myself a life I innately desired, instead of a life that was a dream to many. There's nothing more rewarding than reclaiming oneself. Establishing boundaries will shift from feeling like a threat, to feeling liberated. My advice? Your gut feeling is in fact your strongest instinct. Nurture and befriend it. Don't shy away from it. It is your body calling out to you, it is your body signalling to you – and it is your body's way of protecting you. Yes, this was a very special role; one I had carved out for myself. Producing and presenting a travel show on the most-watched entertainment channel in the Arab world was a dream that I lived for eight years. I would gaze at the world map, envisioning where to go, and make it happen. The thrill of travelling the world, the joy of storytelling, and bringing the world closer to people's homes was incredible. Each experience was a badge of honour. Millions resonated with every episode. I was visiting some of the most special places that existed. For example, I was struck with acute Covid. But the show – and the filming – had to go on. That was the foetal position I returned to between takes. Once the cameras started rolling, no one could tell I was sick. I followed a similar pattern while getting struck down with allergies, having my body covered in bee stings, getting food poisoning. I thought being a strong, independent woman meant pushing through it all. My days stretched into 12 to 19 hour shifts. I kept telling myself how lucky I was. But I was gaslighting my body and instincts to keep up with the illusion. Everything changed once I was able to get the strength to walk away. Now, I cherish slow mornings, my community, and the freedom to create when inspiration strikes. Within five months, I won an award for a short film and received a job offer. That's how the universe works. Once we trust, it responds. So this is for the girl who dared to dream and the woman who had the courage to let go. Freedom is sweet. Trust your instincts. Cherish your worth. There's no one else like you. Here's to the adventure ahead.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- The Independent
Want the best value five-star hotels in 2025? Staycations are the answer
A new study by has revealed which UK cities have some of the best value five-star stays, with prices under £200 a night for luxury resorts and high-end accommodation. The accommodation booking platform has used its hotel listings to create its 2025 Hotel Price Index, revealing where guests should book if they are seeking luxury for less. The Index has revealed that Brits who are looking to stretch their money further without sacrificing luxury should choose a domestic stay rather than go abroad. Within the UK's most popular destinations, a five-star stay averages out at £177 per night, compared to £222 abroad. However, the key to keeping the price low if staying in the UK is swapping expensive cities like London for other top destinations around the country. found that the coastal city of Brighton, known for its LGBT+ scene, vibrant nightlife and an array of independent shops, restaurants and bars woven among its picturesque Lanes area, offers five-star rooms for as little as £106 per night. The Welsh capital, Cardiff, has an average five-star night rate of £150 and Southampton, a city on the southern coast that is well known for its rich maritime history, has five-star stays for £159 per night. Northern cities such as medieval York and the UK's music capital, Manchester, also offer five-star hotels starting at £170 a night and £171 a night, respectively. At the higher end of the table, but still keeping the prices low and value high, is the spa town of Bath at £193 per night and Newcastle at £195 per night. Seeking out a good value hotel could be crucial for a staycation in the UK, as prices of short-term holiday lets such as Airbnb properties have soared in recent years. A Which? study found in 2023 that the average price of a one-bed Airbnb or Vrbo in London costs £162 per night. While short-term rentals give you flexibility on remote locations and control over self-catering, hotels allow guests to take a hands-off approach, with breakfast often included, daily housekeeping services and a wider range of facilities. Five-star stays go the extra mile, earning the full set of stars for spas, pools, renowned in-house restaurants and exceptional service. In some UK cities, the price of a five-star hotel is noticeably cheaper than an Airbnb stay in the capital. Comparing prices to five-star hotels in London, too, which can set guests back on average £306 a night, domestic travellers can save themselves over £100 a night if they swap the capital for another UK city. Cities abroad favoured by Brits can also charge more than double the price of some domestic five-star hotels, such as in Paris, where a five-star hotel can set you back £505 a night, and Barcelona, for £281 a night. However, if it's a luxury hotel abroad rather five-star UK staycation that you want, not all is lost when it comes to keeping the prices down. The Hotel Price Index found that international cities with the best value-for-money five-star hotels included Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, with stays in high-end rooms for as little as £108 per night. Bangkok, Thailand, also on the list, offers five-star stays for as little as £123 per night, while the Czech Republic can offer luxury accommodation for £136 per night.
Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Revealed: The destinations where five-star hotels cost less than £200
The cost of booking a five-star hotel is getting cheaper in Dublin, Orlando and Las Vegas, according to a new report. Crunching year-on-year data across tens of thousands of hotels, the 2025 Hotel Price Index also shows that domestic five-star hotels are, on average, cheaper than international rooms. Let's take a dive into the data, to see where your money will stretch the furthest in 2025. Five-star hotels for under £200 The cost of a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur averages £108 per night, Bangkok is £123 per night, Prague £136 per night, Istanbul £137 per night and Doha is £173 per night. Mumbai (£148.57), Sharm El Sheikh (£110.81) and New Delhi (£136.08) are also listed as destinations where luxury hotels are more affordable. The report notes, however, that there is no universal star rating system and that travellers should be aware of a possible disparity in standards across different countries. The star rating used in the report is the one quoted on rather than a legacy institution such as AA Hotel and Hospitality Services. To cross-check this data, The Telegraph has crunched the average starting rate (according to of the hotels ranked 8, 9 or 10 out of 10 according to our experts across the five above-listed destinations. Where your money will stretch further The report flags Orlando (-7 per cent), Las Vegas (-4 per cent) and Dublin (-4 per cent) as cities where the cost of overall hotel prices are coming down. Amsterdam, Brussels and Istanbul are also down 2 per cent year on year. On the flip side, room rates are increasing in Tokyo (+15 per cent), Seville (+13 per cent) and Madrid (+13 per cent). Predictably, some of the most expensive average five-star hotel rates in the report include Paris (£505 per night), New York City (£431.70) and London (£306). The report flags Bangkok (an average room rate of £77 per night) and Krakow (average daily rate of £90 per night) as examples of cities where the holiday pound will stretch further in 2025. However, it is worth noting that these average figures include one-star properties such as basic hostels. The average price of a room considered acceptable to most tourists will be higher than this figure. The cheaper corners of the UK On average, five-star room rates in the UK are cheaper than overseas, according to the report. On average, the price of a five-star stay in the UK is £177 compared to £222 per night outside of the UK. Some of the most affordable corners of the UK include Brighton (rooms average £106 per night), Cardiff (£150), York (£170), Manchester (£171), Bath (£193) and Newcastle (£195). The more expensive five-star hotels are found in Edinburgh (average £261), St Andrews (£253) and Windermere (£251). However, the most expensive destination in the UK for five-star hotels is London, which has recently witnessed the rise of the £1,000-per-night room. In 2024, the new Raffles at the OWO (Old War Office) opened with rooms starting from £1,100. The cost of a typical room in a luxury hotel in the capital has risen 111 per cent since 2009, according to CoStar, compared to the nationwide average rise of 61 per cent. The cost of a star upgrade The report shows that the cost of 'up-starring' a hotel is most effective when moving from a three-star to a four-star hotel. On average, a four-star is 41 per cent higher than a three-star room. However, five-star hotels cost, on average, 63 per cent more than four-star hotels. How to find cheap hotel rates Telegraph Travel listings Telegraph Travel has more than 10,000 hotel reviews written by our expert writers. If you know which destination you would like to visit, you can filter these by price. For example, if you browse our Rome hotels page you can filter by 'low to high' to find the Mama Shelter Roma, rated 9/10, with rooms starting from just £123 per night. Use a comparison site Comparison sites are powerful ways to quickly find hotels in your desired price bracket. While we mostly associate it with flight comparisons, Skyscanner has a decent hotel comparison tool, as does Kayak which allows you to filter by ambience (for example, 'family' or 'eco-friendly'). Then, check direct After finding the best price on a comparison site, it is always worth seeking out the hotel's website to see how this compares to the official room rate. Some hoteliers, particularly of independent outfits, say that it is worth contacting them directly if you find a better deal online – sometimes, they will be willing to match or better it on a one-off basis, and you may find that things like breakfast are included when booking directly. Uncover 'secret' hotels So-called secret hotels have been around for a while now, popularised by sites like In these you will book an unknown hotel based on its rough location and star rating, which will be revealed only after booking. Historically it has been fairly easy to discover the identity of the 'secret' hotel: if you just copy and paste the description into a search engine or an AI tool, it will usually tell you the result. Members-only sites There are members-only websites such as Secret Escapes and TravelZoo that offer discounts on luxury hotels. The snag is that these deals usually sell out or expire quite quickly, and some subscription sites now charge for an annual membership. TravelZoo, for example, costs £30 per year, although you can join a 30-day trial for £1. Book a package Flight prices are exceptionally steep during peak holiday periods, particularly school holidays. It is worth checking to see if your desired hotel can be booked as part of a flight-plus-hotel or all-inclusive package deal with a reputed ATOL-protected provider: Trailfinders, Destination2, Kuoni, Hays Travel and Jet2 Holidays ranked highest in the most recent Which? survey.
