Hotel room rates are higher than ever before—but many properties are looking to attract visitors by offering special programs, memorable experiences, and sales periods for cheaper bookings.
In short, if you’ve avoided visiting one of your bucket-list destinations because you think costs are too high, think again. It might be the perfect time to book that five-star boutique hotel you’ve been eyeing.
Hotels.com and its resident travel experts have data-driven suggestions based on its recently published 2026 Hotel Price Index. The index report is a global study that digs into the trends and changes in the industry—which includes insights into destinations where room rates are dropping.
Here’s what we know from Hotel.com’s travel experts on destinations with cheap hotel rates. Plus, I’ve got other tips from the platform on how to maximize those savings.
Cheap hotel rates in 2026: when to book, when to check in, and when to wait
The 2026 Hotel Price Index revealed some interesting booking data, which can help you nail when and how you book hotel stays. Here’s what to know:
- You can save 15% by starting your stay on Sunday instead of Friday, which is the priciest check-in day in the United States
- You can save up 23% when you book within 8-14 days of your stay, compared to 4+ months out
- January is the cheapest month when it comes to hotel rates, while October has some of the highest
10 destinations with cheap hotel rates in 2026
Here’s where to find the fastest-dropping rates around the United States:
- Maui, Hawaii (dropping by 27%)
- Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui
- Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows
- Burlington, Vermont (dropping by 13%)
- Made INN Vermont, an Urban-Chic Boutique Bed and Breakfast
- Hotel Vermont
- Las Vegas, Nevada (dropping by 10%)
- The Grandview At Las Vegas
- The Carriage House
- Park City, Utah (dropping by 8%)
- Hotel Park City, Autograph Collection
- The Chateaux Deer Valley
If you want to save big on hotels abroad, here’s where to go:
- Liguria Coast, Italy (dropping by 31%)
- Hotel Porto Roca
- B&b Hotel Genova Principe
- Leipzig, Germany (dropping by 25%)
- Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel Handelshof
- NH Leipzig Zentrum
- Hanoi, Vietnam (dropping by 22%)
- La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel & Spa
- Classyc Hotel
- La Siesta Classic Hang Thung
If you’re looking to book a luxury stay, you can save big on upscale hotels in these locations:
- Porto Alegre, Brazil (around $90/night)
- Hotel Laghetto Stilo Higienópolis
- Hotel Laghetto Moinhos
- Nha Trang, Vietnam (around $119/night)
- Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang
- Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa
- Phuket, Thailand (around $144/night)
- OUTRIGGER Surin Beach Resort
- Diamond Cliff Resort And Spa
- Grand Mercure Phuket Patong
If you want to learn more, you can read through the full 2026 Hotel Price Index report via Hotel News Resource.
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