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Ten holiday destinations with the cheapest five-star hotels

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Beach in Nha Trang city, Vietnam, with high-rise hotels, palm trees, and mountains in the background, Image 2 shows The historic Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain, with its many towers and domes, next to a river with a bridge in the distance

THE top 10 destinations offering five-star stays on a budget have been revealed – starting from just £70 a night.

They’ve been identified by Hotels.com, which used search data to determine the most appealing locations for Brits.

Beach in Nha Trang city, Vietnam, with high-rise hotels, palm trees, and mountains in the background.
Nha Trang was named the best place for cheap five star hotels Credit: Getty
The historic Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain, with its many towers and domes, next to a river with a bridge in the distance.
Zaragoza came in a close second Credit: Getty

Despite volatile travel prices, it’s possible to go on a 5-star holiday on a budget – with high-end range accommodation available for as low as £70 in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

You can also enjoy luxury stays in Zagreb, Croatia, for £130 and Tallinn, Estonia, for £140, with the likes of Zaragoza, Spain (£120) and Sofia, Bulgaria (£135) also cheap.

The data was revealed as part of the global marketplace’s 2026 Hotel Price Index.

The report also includes findings from a global study of 11,000 adults who’ve ever stayed in a hotel – covering the UK, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, France, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and South Korea.

It revealed how they define luxury accommodation, with offering great food (31 per cent), a room with a view (30 per cent) and premium in-room amenities (28 per cent) coming top.

Travel expert and spokesperson Melanie Fish said: “Travellers may be feeling the squeeze, but they’re also getting smarter.

“With increasing volatility in travel prices this summer, fuel costs may be dominating the conversation, but hotel prices are where travellers are making real trade-offs.”

The Hotel Price Index also revealed other cheap but luxurious options include nights in Wrocław, Poland (£120), Tirana, Albania (£130) and Riga, Latvia (£130).

Heraklion, Crete (£135) and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (£140) are also offering high-end accommodation at a lower cost.

TEN OF THE CHEAPEST FIVE-STAR STAYS ABROAD:

  1. Nha Trang, Vietnam (£70)
  2. Zaragoza, Spain (£120)
  3. Wrocław, Poland (£120)
  4. Tirana, Albania (£130)
  5. Riga, Latvia (£130)
  6. Zagreb, Croatia (£130)
  7. Sofia, Bulgaria (£135)
  8. Heraklion (Crete), Greece (£135)
  9. Tallinn, Estonia (£140)
  10. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (£140)

There are five-star offerings available in the UK too – including the likes of Brighton (£115), Cornwall (£135) and Liverpool (£170).

In addition to finding 10 of the cheapest, 10 notable locations which have seen major price drops during the past year were revealed – including Loire, France (down by 32 per cent) and Edmonton, Canada (down 31 per cent).

Further places include St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands (down 30 per cent), Dortmund, Germany (down 21 per cent) and Turin, Italy (also down 21 per cent).

The report also found it pays to book holidays at the last minute, with hotel rates up to 26 per cent lower if booking close to departure.

TEN OF THE CHEAPEST FIVE-STAR STAYS IN THE UK:

  1. Brighton (£115)
  2. Bristol (£115)
  3. Chichester (£120)
  4. Llandudno (£125)
  5. Worcester (£125)
  6. Bournemouth (£130)
  7. Cornwall (£135)
  8. Leeds (£145)
  9. Cardiff (£155)
  10. Liverpool (£170)

If you’re looking to keep costs down further still, the data also found prices are 14 per cent lower for Sunday stays – with Saturdays the most expensive.

Getting away in January offers the lowest prices, while the second week of July is the priciest – at least domestically.

Hotels.com’s global study, carried out through OnePoll, also revealed what’s top of everyone’s luxury dream wish list – a hot tub with a view (44 per cent) followed by a penthouse suite (41 per cent).

When asked what they consider a truly luxury hotel to offer, great food at the hotel (31 per cent), a room with a view (30 per cent) and premium in-room amenities (28 per cent) came top.

TEN OF THE BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL PRICE DROPS YEAR-ON-YEAR:

  1. Loire, France (-32 per cent)
  2. Edmonton, Canada (-31 per cent)
  3. St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (-30 per cent)
  4. Dortmund, Germany (-21 per cent)
  5. Turin, Italy (-21 per cent)
  6. Kassandra (Khalkidhiki) Greece (-21 per cent)
  7. Agrigento (Sicily), Italy (-21 per cent)
  8. Montego Bay, Jamaica (-18 per cent)
  9. Cancun, Mexico (-16 per cent)
  10. Dominica (-13 per cent)

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Top 10 destinations for luxury five-star stays on a budget – from just £70 a night

Hotels.com’s 2026 Hotel Price Index has identified the top 10 destinations where you can enjoy a five-star stay on a budget – with some high-end options available from as little as £70 a night

The top 10 destinations offering five-star stays on a budget have been revealed. Despite unpredictable travel costs, securing a luxury holiday without breaking the bank is entirely achievable – with high-end range accommodation available for as low as £70.

The findings from Hotels.com’s 2026 Hotel Price Index drew on internal booking information and a worldwide survey of 11,000 travellers from the UK, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, France, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and South Korea.

Travel expert and spokesperson Melanie Fish said: “Travellers may be feeling the squeeze, but they’re also getting smarter. “With increasing volatility in travel prices this summer, fuel costs may be dominating the conversation, but hotel prices are where travellers are making real trade-offs.”

The research revealed that luxury breaks in Croatia, Estonia, Zaragoza, Spain and Bulgaria can also be enjoyed for less than £150 a night.

The Index also uncovered other affordable yet indulgent alternatives destinations, including stays in Wrocław, Poland (£120), Tirana, Albania (£130) and Riga, Latvia (£130). Five-star accommodation can be found in the UK as well – with options in Brighton (£115), Cornwall (£135) and Liverpool (£170).

Alongside identifying 10 of the most budget-friendly destinations, the research highlighted 10 notable locations that have experienced significant price reductions over the past year – including Loire, France (down 32%) and Edmonton, Canada (down 31%).

Additional destinations include St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands (down 30%), Dortmund, Germany (down 21%) and Turin, Italy (also down 21%).

Surprisingly, the findings showed that booking last minute can actually save money, with hotel rates up to 26% cheaper when reserving closer to your departure date. For those seeking to reduce expenses even further, the data revealed prices are 14% lower for Sunday stays – with Saturdays proving the most costly.

Escaping in January delivers the best value, while the second week of July commands the highest rates – domestically at least.

Hotels.com’s global study, conducted through OnePoll, also disclosed what tops everyone’s luxury dream wish list – a hot tub with a view (44%) followed by a penthouse suite (41%).

When questioned about what defines a genuinely luxurious hotel experience, exceptional food at the hotel (31%), a room with a view (30%) and premium in-room amenities (28%) emerged as the top priorities.

TEN OF THE CHEAPEST FIVE-STAR STAYS ABROAD:

  1. Nha Trang, Vietnam (£70)
  2. Zaragoza, Spain (£120)
  3. Wrocław, Poland (£120)
  4. Tirana, Albania (£130)
  5. Riga, Latvia (£130)
  6. Zagreb, Croatia (£130)
  7. Sofia, Bulgaria (£135)
  8. Heraklion (Crete), Greece (£135)
  9. Tallinn, Estonia (£140)
  10. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (£140)

TEN OF THE BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL PRICE DROPS YEAR-ON-YEAR:

  1. Loire, France (-32%)
  2. Edmonton, Canada (-31%)
  3. St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (-30%)
  4. Dortmund, Germany (-21%)
  5. Turin, Italy (-21%)
  6. Kassandra (Khalkidhiki) Greece (-21%)
  7. Agrigento (Sicily), Italy (-21%)
  8. Montego Bay, Jamaica (-18%)
  9. Cancun, Mexico (-16%)
  10. Dominica (-13%)

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