Everyone deserves to feel like royalty when they travel — no matter their budget. We’ve picked 5 destinations that pack on the luxury… for less. Take a page from Meghan’s spa-inspired bachelorette. Have your coffee facials and bottomless Mai Tais in style, but without breaking the bank.
1. Larnaca, Cyprus
Crystal blue waters, palm-lined promenades and medieval relics all in the Mediterranean sun. A trip to Larnaca marries the Old World with the New. Airfare this summer will run you around $276 and the median hotel rate is $150/night. While there, indulge in modern comforts like a stay at the 5-star Golden Tulip Golden Bay Beach Hotel. A recent search found rooms there starting at $79/night. Treat yourself to a bath and massage at the Earth Spa & Wellness Center. Dine at Maqam Al Sultan, an oceanside escape serving traditional Cypriot and Middle Eastern dishes. It’s the perfect setting to watch the sunset, indulge your senses and take your fill of what the city can offer.
2. Palma de Mallorca, Spain
So many cities along the Mediterranean can give you the royal treatment, but you’ll have to pay the queen’s ransom to get it. Not in Mallorca. Get all the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of the Mediterranean for a fraction of what you’d pay in places like Capri or Monte Carlo. Median airfare to Mallorca is $312 with median hotel rates at $200/night for the summer, making it a less extravagant indulgence. Situated on the sea, Mallorca has winding medieval streets paired with stunning vistas. You spend the day window shopping on Paseo del Borne (known as Mallorca’s “golden mile”). Then, tour the grounds of Palau March, a mansion overlooking the sea (we won’t tell if you spend your tour imagining you live there). For less than 5 euros, you can see its palatial rooms and extensive art collection. Splendid. Finally, enrich your tastebuds with a stop at Cacao Sampaka for indulgent chocolates flavored with blue flowers and gin and tonic before you return to your room at the luxury oceanside hotel Pure Salt Garonda (starting at $160/night).
3. Bogotá, Colombia
Colombia’s elegant capital has earned its place as one of South America’s most sophisticated cities. Plus, with the exchange rate against the Colombian peso, you can live like a king/queen when you visit. Get a 5-star stay at the NH Pavilion Royale in the center of town (a recent search found a nightly rate of just $72). Median hotel rates are just $83/night this summer while the median airfare to get there is $506. Roll out the red carpet for your stay by booking a meal at El Cielo, a restaurant specializing in micro gastronomy. Their tasting menu will take you through a menu of “moments” curated each night. But you can also head there for lunch where you’ll experience the same revolutionary culinary techniques, for a portion of the dinner price. While in Bogotá, you can make like King Midas by visiting the Museo de’Oro, which contains over 5,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic gold works. Just be sure to finish your night at Gaira Cafe. For a $4 entrance fee, you can get into one of the hottest parties in town, complete with live performances and plenty of cocktails.
4. San Jose, Costa Rica
Don’t let “eco-friendly” and “sustainable tourism” fool you: you won’t be camping. Instead, Costa Rica has turned sustainability into an art form, creating luxury spas, retreats and accommodations that are ready to pamper you from your crown on down. San Jose is your summer vacay starting point: median airfare stays round $492 while you can expect a nightly stay to cost around $117/night. The place to stay is at the Hotel Grano de Oro, which a recent search found rooms starting at $181/night. Named one of the best hotels in the region, it comes with a hot tub terrace, wine cellar, massage services and the highly-rated Restaurant Grano de Oro. If the forests around the city are calling you, take a 90 minute drive to Sarchi, an artisan enclave on the way to the Arenal Volcano. There you’ll find El Silencio, an eco-friendly retreat in a cloud forest. A stay at El Silencio comes with complimentary experiences like a “mystical hike” or planting your own tree. Other experiences — like a “coffee journey” or sundown dinner, can be booked for an extra fee. Pretend you’re escaping the paparazzi for the night and just indulge.
5. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
This jewel of the Caribbean is ready to treat you like the king or queen you are. Get there this summer for around $435 round-trip and stay for a median hotel rate of $120/night. Let Santo Domingo’s pirate past help you uncover its treasure — known as a laid-back beach town, the city is full of luxury for those who seek it. A stay at El Embajador is a great way to start. A recent KAYAK search found rooms starting at $142/night. Here, you’ll get top quality designer toiletries and a pillow menu to ensure you’ll have the perfect sleep. If you’re looking for a meal that’s upscale without being snooty, dine at El Vesuvio, a favorite of the DR’s native son Oscar de la Renta. Entrees run around $15, and a fancy meal for two can cost as little as $60. So go ahead and have a feast.
Looking for luxury? Use hotel ambiance filters when you search on KAYAK to find luxury accomodations in the destination of your choosing.
Methodology
Median airfare based on coach, round-trip flight searches conducted on US and Canada KAYAK sites from 02/22/17 through 02/22/18 for travel dates 05/28/18 through 09/03/18 for the Top 300 most clicked destinations, excluding North American cities. Hotel prices based on double-occupancy room for check in: 3/7/2018 until check-out: 3/18/2018, unless otherwise stated. Prices, availability, and cancellation policies may vary. Please check actual provider policies before making reservations.
