AUSTRALIANS are doing their best to get bang for their buck when it comes to staying in five-star accommodation while they travel.
The Hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI) has revealed Southeast Asia and Down Under were among the destinations offering some of the best value accommodation prices in 2018.
For the fourth year running, top-of-the-range luxury was enjoyed for far less in Siem Reap, Cambodia, which came out on top as the best-value destination among those analysed for four and five star accommodation under $150 per night.
The average price paid for a five-star hotel room in Siem Reap in 2018 was $138 per night, with Kuala Lumpur hot on its heels at $155, Pattaya at $167 and Manila at $177 in the list of lowest five-star prices paid by Aussie travellers in 2018.
Rotorua ($188) rounded out the list, while backyard bargains were also found in Brisbane ($171) and Perth ($184). Sapporo in Japan also scraped in to sub-$230 five-star deals at $212.
"Luxury holidays can be pricey, but they don't have to be if you're a smart traveller," said Zoe Chan from Hotels.com.
"The HPI is a great tool for travellers seeking luxury on a lemonade budget and our 2018 data is no different. Great deals could be found in both far-flung and exotic destinations, while those looking for something closer to home could be delighted by luxury comforts close to home.
"With the widest range of hotel choices, competitive deals and user-friendly technology, Hotels.com is the ideal place to find a luxury escape that won't break the bank."
Phnom Penh, Cambodia had the biggest price decrease for Aussies looking for a five star deal, recording a 20 per cent drop in accommodation prices between 2017 and 2018, from $205 to $164. Makati in the Philippines also had a large drop (-10 per cent) and recorded the cheapest price paid by Aussies in 2018 - four-star accommodation for a thrifty $96 per night, followed by New Delhi ($103, -6 per cent) and Pasay, Philippines ($115).
The HPI showed the top place Australians splashed out for five-star accommodation in 2018 was Anaheim in the United States ($1000 per night). Florence in Italy ($839), Mykonos in Greece ($719), Milan in Italy ($679), came in second, third, fourth and fifth.
Destinations where Australians paid $150 or less per night for five-star accommodation in 2018:
- Siem Reap Cambodia $138
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysia $155
- Phnom Penh Cambodia $164
- Pattaya Thailand $167
- Brisbane Australia $171
- Manila Philippines $177
- Perth Australia $184
- Makati Philippines $187
- Rotorua New Zealand $188
Destinations where Australians paid the most per night for five-star accommodation in 2018:
- Anaheim USA $1,000
- Florence Italy $839
- Mykonos Greece $719
- Milan Italy $619
- Santorini Greece $593
- Paris France $563
- Honolulu USA $532
- Boston USA $529
- Dublin Ireland $510
- San Francisco USA $495
Destinations where prices fell the most between 2018 and 2017 for Australian travellers:
- Phnom Penh Cambodia -20%
- Rome Italy -13%
- Hollywood USA $341 $388 -12%
- Montreal Canada $310 $351 -12%
- Toronto Canada $405 $452 -10%
- Da Nang Vietnam $321 $357 -10%
- Makati Philippines $96 $107 -10%
- Budapest Hungary $269 $298 -10%
- Hoi An Vietnam $227 $252 -10%
- Brussels Belgium $239 $263 -9%
TRAVEL NOTE: There is no universal star rating system. Each country has its own and, in some cases, more than one. This means that travellers should be aware of a possible disparity of standards and facilities when booking rooms with the same star ratings in different countries.