I love a great hotel.

But I am not dropping my entire paycheck on it.

Five star stays can absolutely be affordable if you know when and where to look. With the right approach, you can enjoy luxury rooms, amazing views, and incredible service for a price that feels almost unfair.

Here is how to do it.

Hunt for Deals in the Off Season

Timing makes a big difference.

Peak seasons bring peak rates, but just outside those windows you can save a lot of money. Shoulder seasons like April or October in many European cities offer great weather and drastically lower prices.

I once found a five star suite in Santorini in late September for half the normal summer rate.

Compare Booking Platforms for the Best Rate

Prices jump around constantly.

Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and similar sites often show completely different rates for the exact same room. Some platforms include extras like breakfast or free cancellation.

I have seen five star hotels priced at 200 dollars on the hotel website and 120 dollars on a booking platform on the same day.

It pays to compare.

Watch for Flash Deals

Luxury hotels do not like empty rooms, so they drop flash sales to fill them.

Sites like Secret Escapes and Travelzoo offer huge discounts with perks like spa credits or dining vouchers. Apps like HotelTonight can also save you a lot on last minute bookings.

If you check often, you will eventually catch a fantastic deal.

Use Points and Loyalty Programs

Your points can go a long way.

If you have transferable points like Chase, Amex, Capital One, or Citi, you can book five star stays for a fraction of the cost. Loyalty programs like Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy can offer member rates, upgrades, and exclusive discounts.

Even occasional travelers can benefit from joining them.

Call the Hotel Directly

It sounds old school, but it works.

Calling the hotel directly can uncover offers they do not list online. You can ask them to match a lower price you found or include perks like breakfast or late checkout.

Flexibility helps. A polite phone call goes further than most people expect.

Saving money on five star hotels is not complicated.

You just need to know where to look and how to time things right.

Talk soon,

Your Maestro Concierge

Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are only the author’s and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity.