The secret to booking a five-star hotel for under $150 a night

Scoring a ritzy stay at a five-star hotel is cheaper than you think.

One strategy is to look overseas, where five-star hotels are often significantly less expensive than comparable U.S. properties.

In some cases, favorable exchange rates, lower costs of goods and services, and demand can make international properties more affordable to American travelers.

According to Hotels.com's recently released 2026 Hotel Price Index, international five-star hotels are 23% cheaper, on average, than those in the U.S. The average nightly rate for a luxurious stay abroad is $250 – with some destinations going for less than $150 a night – while a domestic five-star hotel averages $370 per night.

There's no universal standard for five-star ratings, so the quality may vary from country to country. However, the distinction still means you can expect excellent service and amenities.

This is the second year in a row that international high-end stays cost less, which is good news for the 60% of Gen Z and 54% of millennials who said in the index that they're more interested in a luxury stay this year than last.

"With increasing volatility in travel prices this summer, fuel costs may be dominating the conversation, but hotel prices are where travelers are making real trade-offs," said Melanie Fish, vice president of global PR and Hotels.com travel expert, in a statement. "Travelers may be feeling the squeeze, but they're also getting smarter. We're seeing travelers save as much as 23% by booking closer in, starting stays on Sundays, or looking beyond the U.S., where five-star hotels can offer strong value. This is a summer where how you book matters just as much as where you go."

Here's where you could snag a lavish hotel without emptying your wallet, according to the index.

Destinations with the cheapest five-star hotel rates

1. Porto Alegre, Brazil – $90
2. Nha Trang, Vietnam – $119
3. Phuket, Thailand – $144
4. Wrocław, Poland – $175
5. Canberra, Australia – $188
6. Tirana, Albania – $197
7. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – $202
8. Sofia, Bulgaria – $211
9. Zagreb, Croatia – $220
10. Casablanca, Morocco – $229

Cheapest five-star stays in the US

1. Atlantic City, New Jersey – $264
2. Portland, Oregon – $313
3. New York City, New York – $332
4. San Antonio, Texas – $351
5. Las Vegas, Nevada – $355
6. Lahaina, Hawaii – $355
7. Minneapolis, Minnesota – $359
8. Bozeman, Montana – $367
9. Savanah, Georgia – $410
10. Seattle, Washington – $427

Tips for scoring cheap hotel rates

Here are some other ways travelers can save money on their accommodations, according to internal booking data from Hotels.com.

• Check in on a Sunday. The cheapest day of the week start your hotel stay is Sunday, which could lead to 15% in savings. Meanwhile, the most expensive day for domestic trips is Friday, and Saturday for international ones.
• Book last minute. The early bird doesn't always get the worm when it comes to hotel prices, with last-minute bookers saving an average of 23% compared to those who booked their room over four months out. The best timeframe is eight to 14 days before your trip.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The secret to booking a five-star hotel for under $150 a night

Reporting by Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 4:42 PM.