Luxury travel is often assumed to be expensive by default, with five-star hotels and private experiences confined to a short list of high-cost destinations. But new research suggests that the equation might be outdated. A 2025 study examining the real cost of luxury travel across global destinations reveals that some of the world’s most affordable luxury experiences are found in destinations where prices remain quietly, almost unexpectedly, restrained.
Conducted by Sail Croatia, the study looks at how much travellers actually spend on core luxury experiences across the globe. The results point to a growing shift in how and where value-driven luxury travel is taking shape.
The world’s most affordable luxury travel destinations in 2025
1. Cape Town, South Africa
- 5-star hotel (1 night): $199
- Three-course meal: $23
- Private tour: $127
- Spa (1 hour): $50
- Taxi: $2
- Score: 100/100
2. Hamilton & Pink Sand Beaches, Bermuda
- 5-star hotel (1 night): $133
- Three-course meal: $90
- Private tour: $9
- Spa (1 hour): $78
- Taxi: $6
- Score: 96/100
3. Muscat, Oman
- 5-star hotel (1 night): $230
- Three-course meal: $13
- Private tour: $159
- Spa (1 hour): $77
- Taxi: $1
- Score: 91/100
4. London, England
- 5-star hotel (1 night): $397
- Three-course meal: $54
- Private tour: $60
- Spa (1 hour): $119
- Taxi: $5
- Score: 87/100
5. Riviera Maya, Mexico
- 5-star hotel (1 night): $175
- Three-course meal: $21
- Private tour: $160
- Spa (1 hour): $298
- Taxi: $4
- Score: 83/100
6. Tokyo, Japan
- 5-star hotel (1 night): $489
- Three-course meal: $22
- Private tour: $86
- Spa (1 hour): $82
- Taxi: $5
- Score: 79/100
7. Algarve, Portugal
- 5-star hotel (1 night): $430
- Three-course meal: $29
- Private tour: $146
- Spa (1 hour): $104
- Taxi: $1
- Score: 74/100
8. Havana, Cuba
- 5-star hotel (1 night): $300
- Three-course meal: $14
- Private tour: $384
- Spa (1 hour): $37
- Taxi: $1
- Score: 70/100
9. Ambergis Caye, Belize
- 5-star hotel (1 night): $313
- Three-course meal: $15
- Private tour: $361
- Spa (1 hour): $83
- Taxi: $6
- Score: 66/100
10. Dublin, Ireland
- 5-star hotel (1 night): $514
- Three-course meal: $53
- Private tour: $144
- Spa (1 hour): $101
- Taxi: $3
- Score: 61/100
What the findings reveal
Cape Town’s position at the top of the ranking underscores how dramatically luxury pricing can vary by region. With five-star hotels averaging $199 per night and spa treatments costing around $50, the South African city offers a level of accessibility rarely associated with its natural beauty, culinary scene and hospitality standards.
Elsewhere, the results highlight different value drivers. Muscat stands out for its exceptionally low dining and transport costs, while London’s inclusion is driven almost entirely by the affordability of private tours, which come in at less than half the price of many other luxury capitals. Havana, meanwhile, offers some of the cheapest fine dining and drink prices in the study, offset by higher private tour costs.
As Helle Seuren, Director of Sail Croatia, notes, luxury is increasingly about context rather than postcode. Premium hotel brands operate across both expensive and affordable destinations, maintaining consistent service standards while adapting prices to local markets. For travellers willing to look beyond the usual high-cost hotspots, the data suggests that luxury these days is less about overspending and more about choosing wisely.
