BUDGET TRAVEL BLOG
HOW TO GET LUXURY 5-STAR HOTEL DEALS
Russell Hannon - September 17, 2022
'How-To' guide for luxury accommodations deals anywhere in the world.
Travel is an industry that sells temporary luxury - which is why the average one-week vacation for a family of four costs the same as the average monthly at home cost of living. But luxury resorts (and private rentals) routinely charge varying rates for a multitude of reasons. They also have loyalty programs you can leverage for discounts and free stays. Whether you aspire to stay at the Mandarin Oriental, the Four Seasons, the Ritz Carleton, or at a luxury private rental, here are surefire ways to secure great deals on luxury accommodations:
Over Water Bungalows
The AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort (just 10 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur airport) is reputed as 'the world's least expensive overwater bungalows' with rates as low as $83 USD/night ($102 CDN). In the screenshot below you can see this fare in my search result which is accompanied with over 5,000 reviews and a 7.2 out of 10 guest satisfaction rating.
Over Water Bungalows
The AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort (just 10 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur airport) is reputed as 'the world's least expensive overwater bungalows' with rates as low as $83 USD/night ($102 CDN). In the screenshot below you can see this fare in my search result which is accompanied with over 5,000 reviews and a 7.2 out of 10 guest satisfaction rating.
For a comprehensive list of the world's cheapest over water bungalows, PriceOfTravel.com compiled this list of the world's cheapest over water bungalows. Most of these bungalows are in South East Asia and the Maldives, and those closest to North America are in Honduras and Panama.
Metropolitan Hotels
Luxury hotels located near convention centres routinely offer discounted blocks of rooms for conference goers (referred to as a 'block rate'). You can oftentimes get a block rate even if not attending the conference. This is because hotels rarely ask for verification that you are in fact enrolled to the event. Once you learn of a block rate (details on how to do this are provided below), simply call the hotel, say you will be attending the subject conference, and that you were instructed to book your room over the phone to get the block rate.
Metropolitan Hotels
Luxury hotels located near convention centres routinely offer discounted blocks of rooms for conference goers (referred to as a 'block rate'). You can oftentimes get a block rate even if not attending the conference. This is because hotels rarely ask for verification that you are in fact enrolled to the event. Once you learn of a block rate (details on how to do this are provided below), simply call the hotel, say you will be attending the subject conference, and that you were instructed to book your room over the phone to get the block rate.
To Find Block Rates (Group Discounts) at a Luxury Hotel:
1. Lookup upcoming events at the biggest convention center in the city. For example, here is the list of upcoming events at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver:
* Keep in Mind: Every conference agreement is unique, and you'll occasionally run into occasional roadblocks.
Hidden Luxury Hotel Deals
Priceline acts as a 'luxury hotel search engine' when you filter your search results by star category (5-star only). Priceline also sometimes offers deeper discounts than other websites with one catch; Priceline sometimes does not reveal the exact hotel until you pay a non-refundable booking. This isn't as crazy as it may sound, as Priceline does reveal the:
Cut 3rd Party Fees
Anytime you book a room on a third party website, that website earns a commission from the hotel which can be as much as 30% of the fare. Some chains under cut their third party partners as the savings from not having to pay a commission exceeds the fare discount offered directly to you. For example, Far East Hospitality which has properties throughout S.E. Asia, Australia and East Europe offers members fares up to 12% lower than those posted on third on party websites.
Cities with Cheapest 5-Star Hotels
This Price Of Travel study ranks 100+ cities based on those with the cheapest 5-star resorts. The top ranked city for having the least expensive 5-star resorts is is Kuta (a district of Bali) where you can stay at a 5-star hotel for as little as $7/night. The former #1 city on the list was Phuket which has since dropped to number 4.
Quickly find which cities on your bucket list have the cheapest 5-star hotels:
2. Look for conferences taking place during your desired travel dates. For example, below you can see the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention with a link to the conference website:
3. Once on the conference website, the sections for exhibitors and attendees almost always offer accommodation options for the duration of the event:
4. This is where you will any block room rates. In this case:
- 36% OFF at the Four Seasons ($235 v.s. $358 standard rate)
- 23% OFF at the Hyatt Regency ($199 v.s. $269 standard rate)
5. Call the hotel to book direct:
- If the conference posts a discount code, use it when making your reservation.
- If no discount code is posted, say you will be attending the conference, and that you were told to call to get the group rate.
* Keep in Mind: Every conference agreement is unique, and you'll occasionally run into occasional roadblocks.
Priceline acts as a 'luxury hotel search engine' when you filter your search results by star category (5-star only). Priceline also sometimes offers deeper discounts than other websites with one catch; Priceline sometimes does not reveal the exact hotel until you pay a non-refundable booking. This isn't as crazy as it may sound, as Priceline does reveal the:
- City name and area of town (i.e.: Central Park South, NYC)
- Hotel category (i.e.: 5-stars)
Anytime you book a room on a third party website, that website earns a commission from the hotel which can be as much as 30% of the fare. Some chains under cut their third party partners as the savings from not having to pay a commission exceeds the fare discount offered directly to you. For example, Far East Hospitality which has properties throughout S.E. Asia, Australia and East Europe offers members fares up to 12% lower than those posted on third on party websites.
Cities with Cheapest 5-Star Hotels
This Price Of Travel study ranks 100+ cities based on those with the cheapest 5-star resorts. The top ranked city for having the least expensive 5-star resorts is is Kuta (a district of Bali) where you can stay at a 5-star hotel for as little as $7/night. The former #1 city on the list was Phuket which has since dropped to number 4.
Quickly find which cities on your bucket list have the cheapest 5-star hotels:
- Start at the top of this list of cities with the world's cheapest 5-star hotels.
- Scroll down to find cities you'd like to visit.
- To find the cheapest 5-star hotel in each city, go to to Priceline and filter your search by '5-star hotels' only.
Luxury Furnished Condos
Get upwards of 50% OFF 3 to 4 day stays in fully furnished condos by attending timeshare sales presentations. These sessions last approximately 2 hours of your time while on location. Here are two ways to get invited to a timeshare sales presentation in exchange for a deal on accommodations:
- IntervalWorld.com has a list of vacation ownership companies. Many of these companies post their sales presentation deals on their homepage.
- Timeshare companies often exhibit at consumer travel shows where you can sign-up to sales presentations. I routinely sign up to these offers, and have been get 2 and 3 night stays this way in the range of $160 per stay for more than 10 years now.
The value you get from attending timeshare sales presentations is dependant on not buying into any ownership offers.
Watch this video for details on what to expect, and how to navigate the presentation to not buy anything.
Yes Luxury Hostels are really a thing - and many are awesome! Matt Kiefer of HostelGeeks.com stays in hostels all around the world. Matt has found the poshest, classiest, cleanest and swankiest hostel in each major city, and bestowed each with the rank of s a '5-Star Hostel. "From roof-top swimming pools, to stunning set-ups in former wineries and art galleries, we have certified one amazing hostel in almost every major world city" Matt says. Click Here to browse his list of 5-star hostels which include an ex mafia house with poolside cocktails in Columbia, and Captain Coconuts in Gilli Air, Indonesia.
Credit Card Travel Rewards
A suite of U.S. American Express (AMEX) credit cards come with a 'Fine Hotels & Resorts' (FHR) collection of benefits that are redeemable with their many partner luxury resorts. Benefits include an annual $200 hotel credit, guaranteed early 12pm check-in and late 4pm check-out, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, a room upgrade (subject to availability), a $100 experience for services and activities (spa, food and drink) and a complimentary free 'add on' night (i.e.: 4th night free). Click Here for FHR program details. Additionally, you can redeem everyday AMEX points earned toward the outstanding balance of your luxury hotel stay including any points accumulated through sign-up bonuses. Click Here to browse all AMEX Travel Rewards Credit cards noting only a selection of these cards come with the FHR benefit.
A suite of U.S. American Express (AMEX) credit cards come with a 'Fine Hotels & Resorts' (FHR) collection of benefits that are redeemable with their many partner luxury resorts. Benefits include an annual $200 hotel credit, guaranteed early 12pm check-in and late 4pm check-out, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, a room upgrade (subject to availability), a $100 experience for services and activities (spa, food and drink) and a complimentary free 'add on' night (i.e.: 4th night free). Click Here for FHR program details. Additionally, you can redeem everyday AMEX points earned toward the outstanding balance of your luxury hotel stay including any points accumulated through sign-up bonuses. Click Here to browse all AMEX Travel Rewards Credit cards noting only a selection of these cards come with the FHR benefit.
Leverage Strategies to Multiply your Savings
My philosophy is to leverage strategies using lean principles to travel at a fraction of the going rate. Here's one example where I got 60% OFF a stay at the Fairmont by leveraging a corporate rate with Costco gift cards and a BMW test drive:
My philosophy is to leverage strategies using lean principles to travel at a fraction of the going rate. Here's one example where I got 60% OFF a stay at the Fairmont by leveraging a corporate rate with Costco gift cards and a BMW test drive:
Here's to Toasting in Luxury Hotel Lounges!
Known for 'WOWing' audiences with practical yet unconventional ways to cut travel costs, Russell Hannon uses lean principles to travel at a fraction of the going rate. He has been featured on most major media, hundreds of radio shows, and numerous lifestyle and personal finance shows. He is the Amazon #1 best selling author of 'Stop Dreaming... Start Traveling: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling More and Spending Less - Revised & Updated'.
FREE GUIDE: Download 'Beat the best Online Fare - Every Time, Every Flight at BreakTheTravelBarrier.com