7 Tips to Stay in a 5-Star Hotel Without Spending a Fortune

Fine-dining, ocean-front views, exquisite service and luxurious suites are not only reserved for those wanting to spend a fortune while on vacation – there are ways to enjoy travel luxuriously without having to go break a bank. So before you start planning your next trip, here are 7 tips to travel and stay in luxury without spending a fortune:

1. Don’t Plan a Trip During Busy Season: Busy seasons can mean any known holiday, Christmas, New Year’s, Memorial Day, etc. and even spring break or summer. These are the times where rates will increase because of the higher demand. But if you must travel during these times, try to plan and book ahead of time or search up hotel deals and special promotional packages that hotel may be offering.

2. Book on a Sunday: If you didn’t know by now, Fridays and Saturdays are the most expensive nights to stay at luxury hotels – the best time to book for a cheap stay is on Sundays. If you are looking to save for a romantic getaway, consider taking Monday off instead.

3. Be Spontaneous: You don’t have to book ahead to save money; sometimes waiting last minute can get you some of the best deals. When planning a trip last minute, keep a look out for last-minute cancellation deals, particularly at boutique hotels and luxury lodges.

4. Sign Up for Hotel Loyalty Programs: It doesn’t hurt to sign up with major hotel chains for their loyalty program. Staying at these hotels that offer a loyalty program, you will be able to accrue points to your account. These points will then get you a number of purposes such as room upgrades to discounts at top restaurants and shopping outlets.

5. Book a Package: Hotels often offer consumers amazing deals during the year. Whether it’s family packages or a romantic package for two, you can find deals that come with some extra added goodies and/or bargain room rates.

6. Go During a Celebration: Make sure you mention to the hotel that you are celebrating an occasion – most hotels, especially 5-star hotels, love to make their guests happy and might make your stay with them a bit more special than it typically would.

7. Sign Up for Hotel E-Newsletters: These can be a bit spammy! However, receiving these hotel e-newsletters can give you an inside look on some upcoming offers and special deals the hotel you are considering are having. The bigger hotel groups such as Accor offer the most variety, with multiple luxurious hotel brands to choose from.

Take these tips in mind the next time you start planning a trip – who knows you might be staying at a 5-star hotel in no time!