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Luxury travelers spend an average of $12K per week on high-end vacations, yet some places can offer identical five-star experiences for much less.
A new study bysmall-ship cruising company operator Sail Croatia analyzed destinations around the world to find where travelers can enjoy luxury experiences at the most affordable prices.
The study compared luxury travel costs across popular destinations by looking at what travelers typically spend money on: luxury hotels, upscale restaurants, local drinks, transport, exclusive tours, and wellness treatments. Each place received a score based on how affordable these luxury experiences were overall.
Here’s a look at the world’s 10 most affordable luxury destinations in 2025:
| Destination | 5 Star Hotel (per night) | Three-course meal | Beer | Coffee | Taxi | Private Tours | Spa 60min | Final Score |
| Cape Town | $199 | $23 | $3 | $2 | $2 | $127 | $50 | 100 |
| Hamilton & Pink Sand Beaches | $133 | $90 | $9 | $6 | $6 | $105 | $78 | 96 |
| Muscat | $230 | $13 | $13 | $5 | $1 | $159 | $77 | 91 |
| London | $397 | $54 | $8 | $5 | $5 | $60 | $119 | 87 |
| Riviera Maya | $175 | $21 | $4 | $3 | $4 | $160 | $298 | 83 |
| Tokyo | $489 | $22 | $5 | $3 | $5 | $86 | $82 | 79 |
| Algarve | $430 | $29 | $4 | $2 | $1 | $146 | $104 | 74 |
| Havana | $300 | $14 | $2 | $1 | $1 | $384 | $37 | 70 |
| Ambergris Caye | $313 | $15 | $3 | $3 | $6 | $361 | $83 | 66 |
| Dublin | $514 | $53 | $7 | $5 | $3 | $144 | $101 | 61 |
You can access the complete research findings here.
Cape Town ranks first as the world’s most affordable luxury destination. South Africa’s coastal city offers five-star accommodations at just $199 nightly, three times cheaper than most other luxury spots. Fine dining is also budget-friendly, while wellness treatments cost about $50 a session. Even getting around and exploring is affordable here: taxis start at $2, and private tours are available from $127.
Hamilton & Pink Sand Beaches in Bermuda take second place as another accessible luxury destination. Travelers here can enjoy five-star stays for just $133 per night, the most affordable luxury rates on the list. To discover the island, private guided tours cost about $105, while for those looking for a health retreat, spa sessions are priced at around $78.
Muscat, the capital of Oman, ranks third for upscale yet affordable travel. Visitors can stay in deluxe hotels for about $230 per night and enjoy fine dining at just $13 (the lowest in the study). Getting around is budget-friendly too, with taxi rates starting at only $1. For relaxation, spa treatments cost around $77.
Next up is London. While high-end hotels here average $397 per night, the British capital stands out for the cheapest private tours available at just $60, less than half the typical cost elsewhere. London travelers can also take advantage of affordable cabs ($5) to move around the city.
Riviera Maya, Mexico, is in fifth position among the world’s best-value luxury destinations. Tourists here can spend a night in a five-star room for $175 and try gourmet meals for about $21. Alcohol is cheap too, with drinks like beer running at $4, while a cup of coffee will cost $3.
Tokyo follows closely. While hotel stays are on the pricier side at around $489 per night (still lower than the study average), the city offers fine dining experiences for only $22. Travelers in Japan’s capital can also explore the city with private tours from $86 or take spa sessions for a bargain price of about $82.
The Algarve in Portugal takes seventh place as Europe’s other budget-friendly luxury getaway. The region lists premium accommodations at $430 nightly rate, with low-cost dining options ($29). The Portuguese coast also offers affordable beverages (beer at $4 and coffee at $2) and the joint-lowest taxi fares at just $1.
In the eighth place is Havana, where five-star hotel stays average $300 per night while restaurants charge only $14 for three-course meals. Cuba’s capital city shows the lowest prices for drinks (beer at $2 and coffee at $1) alongside the cheapest taxi rates at $1. Havana also offers the second-lowest spa treatment prices at just $37.
Ninth place goes to Ambergris Caye, Belize. Guests here can book luxury stays for $313 a night and also enjoy 1 hour of spa at around $83. Meals cost about $15, and local drinks are just as easy on the wallet: beer and coffee both come in at about $3.
Dublin completes the top 10 luxury destinations offering affordable prices. First-class hotels in Ireland’s capital charge $514 nightly, while fine dining at a local restaurant will cost $53. Transportation is particularly cheap here, with taxi prices starting at $3. Visitors can also find affordable private tours ($144) to discover the city’s attractions.
“Sometimes people think that luxury only exists in expensive places like Monaco or Bora Bora,” says the spokesperson from Sail Croatia. “That’s simply not true. A five-star hotel can provide the same comfort whether you’re in Cape Town or Cannes. This is especially true when it comes to premium brands: they operate in both expensive and affordable destinations, offering identical service standards while adjusting prices to local markets rather than actual costs. Then there’s food, many affordable luxury spots actually serve more authentic cuisine, with local chefs using fresh regional ingredients instead of the standardized international menus you find at famous resorts. All this at much better prices.”
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