10 Luxury Hotels Under $200

"Luxury" and "affordable" usually go together like oil and water. But the truth is that you can bed down at a high-end hotel for less than $200 a night, even without resorting to last-minute deals. There are plenty of destinations around the world that offer everything from medieval architecture to famous beaches where the prices aren't bank account-busters.

For what you would spend for a two or three-star hotel in London, you can actually stay in a five-star hotel in other European destination like Prague. Planning a beach vacation this summer? You can stay at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun for $189. Far-flung locations are much more doable than they may seem when a top resort in Bali only costs $199 per night. If you want to stay in the continental US, it turns out that one of America's most popular getaways also has some of the most affordable five-star hotels. You can stay at a high-rolling suite in Las Vegas for $159. Just try not to gamble away your savings.

10. Amfora, Hvar Grand Beach Resort, Croatia
Best rate: $180; www.suncanihvar.com
Despite being Europe's hottest summer playground, Croatia is still more affordable than most European destinations. And you can still find deals at the newly built luxury hotels that reflect the country's rising profile. The beaches of the Adriatic Sea provide much of the draw, but Croatia's well-preserved heritage and UNESCO sites get lots of attention as well. You get the best of both at Amfora. It is one of the country's premier beach resorts but is just a 10-minute walk from the historic sites of Hvar. The key to sampling its lavish accommodations for less is to book a room in early September, when the weather is still warm while the packed beaches are a bit quieter-and the rates lower.

9. Hotel El Convento, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Best rate: $160 per night; www.elconvento.com
Puerto Rico is not only one of the most accessible Caribbean island paradises, it can also be an affordably posh getaway. The historic El Convento had humble beginnings as a Carmelite convent, but is now a 58-room hotel where you'll find Old World pampering after a day of lounging on sugar-white beaches or exploring the designer boutiques in Old San Juan. The hotel has preserved much of its Spanish Colonial look (mahogany beams and Andalusian tile floors) while the rooms have marble bathrooms plus modern touches like flat-screen TVs and free WiFi.

8. InterContinental Prague, Czech Republic
Best rate: 117 euros ($140); www.icprague.com
Prague is another flourishing travel destination that promises the history and culture of a European capital without the price tag of Paris or Rome. In fact, the medieval city is often heralded as Europe's most beautiful because much of its architecture stayed intact through World War II. Rooms at the InterContinental are highly polished with marble bathrooms plus iPod docking stations and flat-panel TVs. The location is priceless: you'll be right in the Jewish Quarter and within walking distance of landmarks like the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.

7. The Ritz-Carlton Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Best Rate: $189; www.ritzcarlton.com
This Ritz-Carlton is located along the Zona Hotelera peninsula that juts out into the clear, crisp Caribbean. The hotel rubs elbows with other high-end resorts like Le Meridien and Aqua and is luxuriously far from the hubbub of Cancun's spring break contingent. This being a Ritz-Carlton, on-site treats include the Kayanta Spa with a menu of Mayan-inspired treatments and a cooking school where you can arrange for private classes and meals from master chefs. Rates are lower here in the summer, but don't worry about frying. The Riviera Maya stays around 85 degrees almost all year long.

6. Taj Lands End, Mumbai, India
Best rate: $189; www.tajhotel.com
India's burgeoning economy allows for incredibly sophisticated hotels that are still wallet-friendly. Taj Hotels are known for their luxe rooms and impeccable service, and the Lands End is no exception. Fronting the Arabian Sea in the posh Mumbai suburb of Bandra, the Taj Lands End offers resort-style amenities like a lagoon pool, yoga classes and a spa offering Ayurvedic treatments. Plus every room has a sea view. You'll still be close enough to the bustling city to easily see the sites, but this will be the calm retreat you'll want to return to at the end of the day.

5. Iguazú Grand, Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Best rate: $194; www.iguazugrand.com
No trip to South America is complete without a visit to one of the world's greatest natural wonders: Iguazú Falls. A short flight from Buenos Aires brings you to the lush rainforest that holds the falls as well as this posh all-suite hotel. The Iguazú Grand is just a few minutes from the falls, but guests might not want to leave its luxurious surroundings after lounging poolside, getting a massage at the Spa del Paraíso, playing poker at the in-house casino, and letting the kids go wild at the Playland center.

4. The Venetian, Las Vegas, Nevada
Best rate: $159 per night; www.venetian.com
Vegas has tons of deals, but the key is to look past the questionable $87-a-night offerings and focus on the amazing prices at some of the city's poshest hotels. You can even find rooms for $200 or less at the brand-new luxury Aria. The Venetian is the gold standard, though. It's one of the Strip's only all-suite resorts and, while most Vegas guest rooms are jumbo-sized, the Venetian's Luxury Suites start at a whopping 650-square-feet. If you can find your way out of the room, the hotel has 11 restaurants from star chefs, the exclusive Canyon Ranch SpaClub, and the famous Grand Canal Shoppes that you can browse via gondola.

3. Ayana Resort and Spa, Bali
Best rate: $199; www.ayanaresort.com
Bali is not known for its budget accommodations, so finding a room for less than $200 is a big score. And the Ayana is one of Indonesia's most magnificent resorts. You'll pay more for the cliffside villas with their own plunge pools and tropical gardens, of course, but even the less expensive resort rooms are large and have private balconies. There are four pools and a private beach on-site, plus gorgeous views of Jimbaran Bay.


2. Hotel Telegraaf, Tallinn, Estonia
Best rate: $154; www.telegraafhotel.com
Mention charming cobble-stone streets, sidewalk cafes or medieval architecture, and the Baltic country of Estonia might not immediately jump to mind. But more and more intrepid travelers are discovering the virtues of this Eastern European hot spot – and it's low prices on high-end hotels. The Telegraaf is right in the central, historic part of town and is housed in a 132-year-old building that was once the headquarters of the Estonian Telegraph Company (the rooms all have antique touches). There is a tony Elemis spa on site and you'll have unlimited use of the Finnish sauna and the indoor swimming pool.

1. Las Brisas, Acapulco, Mexico
Best rate: $129; www.brisashotelonline.com
Acapulco is currently undergoing a rebirth with new luxury properties opening like the Banyan Tree Cabo Marques and others being renovated by chic hoteliers. The award-winning Las Brisas staked its claim on the cliffs above the bay, far from the fray, and has made its mark as a top-notch romantic hideaway. From its pink and white theme to its 210 pools, the resort sets itself apart with special details like a pink-striped Jeep safari, daily breakfast delivered to your door, and welcome margaritas. Guests also have access to the resort's private beach club with cabanas as well as two impressive stone-covered saltwater pools.


Photo Credits: Amfora - Courtesy of Amfora; Hotel El Convento - Courtesy of Hotel El Convento; InterContinental Prague - Courtesy of Sean Gallup, Getty Images; The Ritz=Carlton Cancun - Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton; Taj Lands End - Courtesy of LHW; Iguazu Grand - Courtesy of Iguazu Grand; The Venetian - Courtesy of The Venetian; Ayana Resort and Spa - Courtesy of Ayana Resort and Spa; Hotel Telegraaf - Courtesy of Hotel Telegraaf; Las Brisas - Courtesy of Las Brisas