6 Best Places in the World to Get an Affordable Luxury Hotel Room Now

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You can stay at the 5-star Hotel Bristol in Warsaw, Poland, for just $108 per night. (Courtesy: Hotel Bristol)

By Jamie Beckman

Picture this: You. Your dream city. And a hotel with plush carpeting, a seasoned concierge who knows all the city’s best spots, and high style you never thought you could swing without one of those fancy black credit cards. Nice, huh?

Hotels.com recently released its Hotel Price Index data for this past year, and there are some very pleasant surprises for Budget Travelers: Hotel rates across the U.S. have gone up, but the opposite happened in several desirable cities abroad. In fact, the rates are so low that you can afford a chic stay at a 4-star or even 5-star hotel (ahem, Warsaw) for what you would have paid for a lower-star-rated property in years past.

Take a quick glance at your travel bucket list and cross-reference it with the cities below, then pick your palace. (Rates are all based on current Hotels.com pricing.) Because sightseeing is that much sweeter when you know you’ll have your own personal marble soaking tub to unwind in at the end of the day.

Warsaw, Poland

Average daily 5-star hotel rate: $107
Change from 2013: Down 13%

Why not stay at the… Hotel Bristol. If what you picture when you think of a “luxury hotel” is traditional glam that pays homage to neo-Renaissance and Art Deco styles, rich upholstery in the lobby, towering drapes on the windows, and polished marble as far as the eye can see, book here now. Each room—even the junior suites—has a gray marble bathroom with a separate bathtub and shower, and the hotel has an indoor heated pool with cool-hued tiling in “cobalt blue,” “forest green,” and “cream.” Now let’s talk location: The historic, 1908-built hotel is right next to the Presidential Palace and within walking distance of Old Town, the Royal Castle, and the National Theater and Opera House (from $108).

Related: 33 Places That Belong on Your Bucket List

Marrakech, Morocco

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(Courtesy: Riad Flam)

Average daily 4-star hotel rate: $99
Change from 2013: Down 11%

Why not stay at the… Riad Flam. You’ll think you’ve died and come back in another life as a Moroccan king when you get a load of this hotel’s common areas, decked out with tasseled burgundy cushions, opulent mirrors, and ornate hookahs. Each of the boutique property’s eight rooms — all with intricate carved-wood detailing, some with four-poster beds — represents a different soul-nurturing stone, from the Ambre room (used historically for its medicinal properties) to the luxe Ruby room (thought to heighten energy and sensuality). After a long day of bargain-hunting at the souks, drift into the hotel’s lush, peaceful courtyard, with lounge chairs for sunbathing, and up into an elevated wood terrace for a soak in a Jacuzzi tub with massage jets and a view of the city around you. When you rise the next morning, breakfast is included — pancakes, dates, and fresh juices are a few of the options (from $77).

Jakarta, Indonesia

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(Courtesy: DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta-Diponegoro)

Average daily 4-star hotel rate: $113
Change from 2013: Down 11%

Why not stay at the… DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta-Diponegoro. With retro-style rooms so curvy and modern you’ll think you’re sleeping in a space pod, plus deep soaking tubs in the bathrooms and resort-like perks including a lagoon-style pool with a streamlined soda parlor-themed cocktail bar that serves milkshakes and booze, this is no ordinary business hotel. Geared toward families, the property has child-friendly amenities, like a kids’ pool and indoor kids’ club packed with toys (and babysitting services if you need them). With or without the rug rats, a complimentary weekend shuttle will take you to Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, where you can buy batik tapestries and taste local dishes like crispy duck for cheap. While we’re on the subject of food: DoubleTree doles out warm chocolate-chip cookies to all its guests upon arrival (from $77).

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Mumbai (Bombay), India

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(Courtesy: Vivanta by Taj President)

Average daily 4-star hotel rate: $114
Change from 2013: Down 10%

Why not stay at the… Vivanta by Taj President. As hot spots go, this business-friendly but design-forward Taj location is quite the scene, especially the Wink bar, known for its social mixing and mingling, infused syrups that incorporate flavors like vanilla and anise, and signature vodka-and-lychee Winktini. Located in South Mumbai, near the Colaba Causeway shopping street (try haggling for a stylish pair of kolhapuri chappals, or leather slippers) and the National Gallery of Modern Art, the hotel has a sizable outdoor pool with beach umbrellas and sleek, modern decor that gives nods to ancient India. Travelers praise it for its attentive service, especially considering its 292-room size (from $124).

Bangkok, Thailand

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(Courtesy: Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn)

Average daily 4-star hotel rate: $100
Change from 2013: Down 9%

Why not stay at the… Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn. Three words: rooftop infinity pool. You might never leave the water after taking in the streamlined 14th-floor space’s sweeping panoramas of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River. Another draw for view hounds: Every single room looks out onto either the river or the city, so you’ll be hyper-aware that you’re not in Kansas anymore. The hotel’s Glass House restaurant’s massive buffet is legendary: Around 26 bucks buys you a lunchtime spread of foods including sushi; lobster; classic Thai, Japanese, and Chinese dishes; meat entrées cooked to order; fresh fruit; and pastries and desserts so picture-perfect they look like movie props (from $106).

Istanbul, Turkey

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(Courtesy: Levni Hotel & Spa)

Average daily 4-star hotel rate: $131
Change from 2013: Down 7%

Why not stay at the… Levni Hotel & Spa. So well located it’s almost ridiculous — everything from the Hagia Sophia to the Grand Bazaar to the Istanbul Modern Art Museum is within walking distance — the Levni also has surprisingly affordable spa treatments: A traditional kese (exfoliation glove) scrub, including a hammam steam treatment and soap massage, starts at about $42. If you’re a spa traditionalist, 60-minute massages (including the deep-compression, sleep-promoting jet lag massage) are about $85. Plus: The longer you stay, the more perks you rack up if you book through the hotel’s website. A three-night stay earns you a free airport transfer; six nights or more nets a complimentary transfer, welcome dinner, and 30-minute spa treatment (from $95).

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