Last updated June 10, 2025
Who says you have to splurge to stay in style? These ten affordable luxury hotels around the world deliver world-class stays without the luxury markup.
Luxury has a branding problem. Somewhere along the way, it became synonymous with excess: logo-stamped linens, $80 breakfasts and “exclusive” experiences that cost more than one month’s rent.
Jump to:
- Grand Venus La Residence — Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Hotel ICON — Hong Kong
- The Royal Surakarta Heritage — Solo, Indonesia
- Hotel AWA — Puerto Varas, Chile
- Villa Olmi Firenze — Florence, Italy
- Ovolo Woolloomooloo — Sydney, Australia
- The Z Hotel — Zanzibar, Tanzania
- House of Gods — Edinburgh, Scotland
- Hotel La Semilla — Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Hotel Giraffe — New York City, United States
But real luxury isn’t about spending big. It’s about feeling like the best version of yourself, in a place that gets all the little things right. The good news? This type of experience doesn’t have to drain your savings.
Where to Find Affordable Luxury Hotels Around the World
We dug deep (past the influencer traps and overpriced hype) to find affordable luxury hotels around the world that deliver high-end design, standout service and serious comfort.
1. Grand Venus La Residence — Siem Reap, Cambodia
A five-minute tuk-tuk ride from Angkor Wat and you’re back at your private oasis? Yes, please. Grand Venus is a sleek, modern property with oversized suites, a sparkling outdoor pool and garden views that feel miles away from the temple-hopping crowds.
Think of Grand Venus as your post-adventure sanctuary, complete with deep soaking tubs, in-room massages, and a restaurant serving mango sticky rice and fresh coconut. With stays from $25 per night, you’ll feel like royalty without needing a trust fund.
2. Hotel ICON — Hong Kong
Designed by the city’s top design students (it’s part of a teaching hotel!), Hotel ICON is stylish, sustainable and seriously swanky for the price. Rooftop infinity pool with harbor views? Check. Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant? Check. Tesla limo airport pickup? Yep, that, too.
ICON is located in Tsim Sha Tsui, making it “the” location for shopping sprees and dim sum crawls. This is luxury with a side of innovation at a fraction of what you’d pay across the harbor. Nightly rates start at $150.
3. The Royal Surakarta Heritage — Solo, Indonesia
Don’t let the price tag fool you. Nestled in the heart of Java’s cultural capital, this MGallery property wraps you in colonial charm, with opulent chandeliers, marble floors and traditional Javanese carvings that’ll make your IG Stories look like a scene from “The White Lotus.”
The rooms are spacious, the beds are plush, and there’s a spa and pool. If you’re into culture, you’re steps from ancient markets and royal palaces. Basically: luxe on a dime, where guests can pay from $32 per night.
4. Hotel AWA — Puerto Varas, Chile
If Patagonia and Scandi-chic had a baby, it would be this design-forward lakefront hotel. Sitting on the edge of Lake Llanquihue with full-frontal views of the Osorno Volcano, Hotel AWA makes you feel like you’re starring in your own nature doc, only with heated floors, a killer spa and a restaurant that serves local salmon and hand-churned ice cream.
You can kayak, hike, sauna or do absolutely nothing while wrapped in a wool blanket staring at the mountains. No judgment. Rates here are slightly higher, from $416 per night.
5. Villa Olmi Firenze — Florence, Italy
If you’ve ever fantasized about living in a Tuscan villa surrounded by vineyards and lemon trees, here’s your chance—no inheritance required. Villa Olmi is outside Florence (so easy day trips to the Duomo and gelato) and offers rustic luxury that makes you want to write poetry.
Frescoed ceilings, antique furniture, clawfoot tubs, a wine cellar and even a cooking school for those who want to level up their pasta game. Add a pool and garden views, and you’ve got a Florentine fantasy in the making for around $200 per night.
6. Ovolo Woolloomooloo — Sydney, Australia
Say it five times fast, then book a room. Set in a historic wharf building with exposed beams and harbor views, Ovolo Woolloomooloo nails that industrial-meets-playful vibe. You get a free minibar (really!!), loot bags full of snacks, Apple TV and designer toiletries.
The rooms are sleek, the service is fun (they’re not shy with emojis) and the location is unbeatable for hopping between the Opera House, local cafes and the Botanical Gardens. Ovolo is luxe, laid-back and cheeky. Kind of like Sydney itself. Rooms start from $129 per night.
7. The Z Hotel — Zanzibar, Tanzania
Beachfront paradise, turquoise water and a boutique hotel that somehow costs less than your monthly grocery bill? We love to see it. The Z Hotel sits pretty on Nungwi Beach, where sunsets feel custom-designed by the universe.
Expect an infinity pool that melts into the sea, modern minimalist rooms with pops of Swahili art and a rooftop cocktail bar perfect for post-snorkel sundowners. This is barefoot luxury at its best—and the vibe is chill, not pretentious, at about $200 per night.
8. House of Gods — Edinburgh, Scotland
Ever wanted to feel like a rockstar without blowing your tour budget? Enter House of Gods, the boldest, bougiest boutique hotel in Edinburgh. This place leans hard into maximalist glam—deep velvet drapes, mirrored ceilings, golden accents and cocktail buttons (yes, you press a button and cocktails arrive at your door).
Each guest room and suite feels like a love child between Versailles and a Wes Anderson movie. Bonus: it’s right off the Royal Mile, so you can explore the city and retreat into your own little den of decadence at the end of the day. Book from $165 per night.
9. Hotel La Semilla — Playa del Carmen, Mexico
No neon party lights here—just a quiet, adults-only boutique hotel filled with vintage finds, hanging plants and laid-back luxury. Hotel La Semilla feels like the place a hipster artist would escape to when they’re “working on something.”
There’s no TV, but there is a dreamy garden courtyard and a breakfast filled with banana bread so good it deserves its own fan club. Steps from the beach and far from the chaos, it’s a secret worth keeping (but also… we had to share) at $89 per night.
10. Hotel Giraffe — New York City, United States
You certainly can live your best Manhattan life without taking a second mortgage. Hotel Giraffe (sister property to the famed Library Hotel) is all about old-school charm with modern perks: free breakfast, wine and cheese hours, and a rooftop garden that somehow feels peaceful in the middle of the world’s loudest city.
The rooms are spacious by New York City standards (read: you can open your suitcase) and the hotel is smack dab in NoMad, which means you’ll be near everything from Madison Square Park to Eataly. Nightly rates start at $217.
Snapshot Summary
Skip the logo-stamped linens—these ten affordable luxury hotels around the world prove indulgence doesn’t require wealth. From Indonesia’s colonial masterpiece to Edinburgh’s rockstar-worthy boutique, each delivers standout design and service without budget stress. Enjoy plush beds, infinity pools and prime locations while keeping enough savings for adventures beyond your stylish room. True luxury? Smart splurging that leaves you feeling pampered, not broke.
About Vacayou
At Vacayou [pronounced VACAY – YOU], we believe that travel has the power to change lives. The power to revive, rejuvenate and redirect your inner wellness warrior. And that’s why we’re here. Vacayou brings the world of wellness travel to you!
No matter how far or how adventurous, our team scours the globe to curate the best in wellness travel. However, the booking process can often be time-consuming and complicated. We’ve simplified your search for wellness and active vacations with Vacayou’s Instant Book, so your dream wellness getaway is now just one click away.
Start the trip of your lifetime today with Vacayou. We are here to help create a healthier global community through wellness and active travel.
To keep up with the latest wellness trends and experiences, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
