A new report on the most accessible luxury destinations of 2025 has crowned Cape Town, South Africa, as the best place in the world to enjoy high-end travel without the high-end price tag. The study, conducted by small-ship cruising operator Sail Croatia, analyzed more than 20 global destinations and compared typical luxury travel costs, including five-star hotels, fine dining, wellness experiences, transportation, and exclusive tours.
Cape Town secured the top spot thanks to its rare combination of dramatic landscapes and surprisingly affordable luxury. Five-star hotels average just $199 per night, far below the global average for luxury stays. Travelers can check into iconic properties like One&Only Cape Town, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, or Cape Grace for a fraction of what they would pay in Europe or the Caribbean. Private tours to landmarks like Table Mountain and the Cape Winelands start at $127, taxis begin at just $2, and spa treatments hover around $50.
Bermuda’s Hamilton and Pink Sand Beaches area ranks second. Visitors can book five-star accommodations at places like Hamilton Princess & Beach Club for as little as $133 per night, making it the most affordable luxury hotel rate in the study. Private island tours start around $105, while wellness seekers can enjoy spa sessions at resorts like The Loren at Pink Beach for roughly $78.
Muscat, Oman lands third, offering upscale hotels such as The Chedi Muscat for about $230 per night. Fine dining averages just $13, making it the cheapest in the report. Taxi rides start at $1, spa treatments run around $77, and private desert or coastal excursions begin near $160.
The world’s 10 most affordable luxury destinations
Ming Jun Tan / Unsplash
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Hamilton & Pink Sand Beaches, Bermuda