June 11, 2026, 4:27 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Stay at a 5-star hotel for a small price? Sounds almost too good to be true. But some countries and regions actually offer the chance to enjoy luxury on a budget. This is shown by the current 2026 Hotel Price Index from “hotels.com.” TRAVELBOOK has the details.
Every year, the booking site “hotels.com” publishes the Hotel Price Index. Internal booking data was used, and around 11,000 travelers worldwide were surveyed. The results not only show where hotel prices are dropping or the best time to book, but also where you can stay at a 5-star hotel for the price of a mid-range hotel.
5-Star Hotel for a Small Price
Want to treat yourself to a luxurious 5-star hotel despite a smaller budget? It’s possible. For just about 80 euros per night, you can get five stars in Nha Trang, Vietnam. The city is especially popular with beachgoers and offers the perfect starting point for diving trips to nearby islands with beautiful coral reefs.
But even in Europe, you can get a lot for little money. In Zaragoza, Spain, according to the index, 5-star accommodations are available for around 140 euros per night, just like in Wroclaw, Poland. Perfect for a short city trip with a touch of luxury.
5-Star Hotels for a Small Price:
- Nha Trang, Vietnam: 80 euros
- Zaragoza, Spain: 140 euros
- Wroclaw, Poland: 140 euros
- Tirana, Albania: 150 euros
- Riga, Latvia: 150 euros
- Zagreb, Croatia: 150 euros
- Sofia, Bulgaria: 155 euros
- Heraklion (Crete), Greece: 155 euros
- Tallinn, Estonia: 162 euros
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: 162 euros
However, the analysis also points out that each country has its own star rating system. This means what might be a 4-star hotel here could fall into a different category elsewhere. The biggest differences are in comfort, service, luxury, and amenities. Travelers should be aware of this.
Where Hotel Prices Are Dropping
The 2026 Hotel Price Index not only shows affordable 5-star accommodations but also the best times to book. The result: Last-minute bookers save an average of 26 percent more than those who book four months in advance. Additionally, arriving on a Sunday instead of a Saturday can save an average of 14 percent.
Moreover, hotel prices are dropping in many vacation regions—including beach, mountain, and city hotels. Compared to the previous year, hotel prices have fallen the most in Loire, France, with a decrease of 32 percent. Next are Edmonton, Canada, with a 31 percent drop, and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands with a 30 percent decrease.
In fourth place is a German city. Dortmund has seen hotel prices drop by 21 percent compared to the previous year.
- Loire, France (-32%)
- Edmonton, Canada (-31%)
- St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (-30%)
- Dortmund, Germany (-21%)
- Turin, Italy (-21%)
- Kassandra (Chalkidiki), Greece (-21%)
- Agrigento (Sicily), Italy (-21%)
- Montego Bay, Jamaica (-18%)
- Cancun, Mexico (-16%)
- Dominica (-13%)