Hotels.com has released its 2026 Hotel Price Index, revealing 8-14* days before travel is the sweet spot for booking and Sunday night stays offer the best value. Using internal booking data, app usage analysis, and a global survey of 11,000 travelers, the report reveals a dramatic rise in cost-conscious booking behaviors, the most affordable cities for a 5-star stay, and how today’s travelers are redefining luxury.
- Value Sets the Itinerary: Use of the “Budget” filter has surged +1800 percent,** signaling travelers are screening for affordability earlier than ever.
- Loyalty Is Driving Decisions: “Rewards” filters are up +820 percent, highlighting growing reliance on points and member benefits.
- Included Perks Are Shaping Travel Choices: Filters tied to bundled value — like “All inclusive” (+50 percent), “Meal plan” (+10 percent), and “Free breakfast” (+5 percent) — are also seeing steady growth.
- Last-Minute Deals: Savvy travelers can often find hotel deals, even down to the last minute — in fact, last-minute bookers saved an average of 23 percent versus those who booked 4+ months out. The best time for savings when booking a hotel stay is 8-14 days out.
- Sunday Night Savings: Travelers can save 15 percent on their hotel stay by starting their stay on a Sunday rather than a Friday, as Friday is the priciest check-in day in the U.S., while Saturday ranks highest for international stays.
- New Year Stays: Travelers can score off-season hotel deals by traveling during January, the cheapest month of the year. Priciest rates are found during the second week of October, driven by long weekend getaways, fall school breaks, leaf peeping, and bustling business travel.
- Go Global for 5-Star Savings: International 5-star hotels are, on average, 23 percent cheaper than their U.S. counterparts. Standout 5-star stays under $150/a night are in Porto Alegre, Brazil; Nha Trang, Vietnam; and Phuket, Thailand.
- Redefining “Luxury”: It’s no longer about star-ratings; travelers say they book 4-star hotels most often and associate luxury with having a great view from their room.
“With increasing volatility in travel prices this summer, fuel costs may be dominating the conversation, but hotel prices are where travelers are making real trade-offs,” said Melanie Fish, vice president of global PR and Hotels.com travel expert. “Travelers may be feeling the squeeze, but they’re also getting smarter. We’re seeing travelers save as much as 23 percent by booking closer in, starting stays on Sundays, or looking beyond the U.S., where 5-star hotels can offer strong value. This is a summer where how you book matters just as much as where you go.”
Hotel Pricing Trends: Where Rates Are Dropping YoY
According to the 2026 Hotel Price Index, hotel rates are falling across a mix of international and U.S. destinations, including beach, mountain, and city markets.
| International | Domestic |
|
|
Gen Z Is Redefining Luxury***
Despite price and discounts being a deciding factor for the majority (77 percent), the lure of a luxury stay isn’t going anywhere, particularly for younger travelers. In fact, 50 percent of Gen Z and 54 percent of millennials say they are just as interested if not more in a luxury stay experience this year versus last year (compared to 23 percent of baby boomers). Moreso, Gen Z is the most likely to book a 5-star hotel (34 percent), followed by millennials (26 percent).
However, luxury is no longer just about star ratings — a room with a view is the experience most often associated with a luxury stay (27 percent), followed by room service (26 percent) and a spa (24 percent).
What is at the top of everyone’s luxury dream wish list? A penthouse suite (43 percent) and a hot tub with a view (43 percent).
Luxury for Less
For the second year in a row, 5-star stays abroad are cheaper on average than those in the U.S. ($250 internationally per night vs. $370 domestically per night) with several international cities offering 5-star stays for well under U.S. average daily rates.
5-star Luxury for Less Than $450 per Night
| International | Domestic |
|
|
Travel Tips and Tools
Travelers can look for member discounts, book flexible rates, set price alerts, and consider booking 8-14 days before travel to find better value.
- Three-quarters of travelers prioritize discounts, which members can find on thousands of hotels with Member Prices of up to 20 percent off on Hotels.com. Plus, earn rewards to use on future travel.
- Book now — even if plans aren’t final — using Free Cancellation on Hotels.com for flexibility.
- Not ready to book? Turn on Price Alerts in the Hotels.com app and get notified when nightly rates fluctuate.
- The sweet spot for booking a hotel stay is 8-14 days out for the best deals, plus travelers can save 20 percent or more on Last Minute Deals when booking through Hotels.com.
FAQ
- When is the best time to book a hotel for the best deal?
Based on the 2026 Hotel Price Index, the sweet spot for booking a hotel stay is 8-14 days before travel. - What is the cheapest day to start a hotel stay?
Sunday is the cheapest check-in day for U.S. hotel stays, while Saturday is the priciest day for international stays. - Are 5-star hotels cheaper outside the U.S.?
Yes. According to the 2026 Hotel Price Index, international 5-star hotels are, on average, 23 percent cheaper than U.S. counterparts. - What is the cheapest month to travel for hotel deals?
January is the cheapest month of the year for hotel stays, according to the 2026 Hotel Price Index.
Sources
* The Hotels.com Hotel Price Index analyzes average daily rates, lodging searches and booking data on Hotels.com. The 2026 Index compares data from January 1 to December 31, 2024, to the same dates in 2025.
** Data based on searches made on Hotels.com (U.S. point of sale) between February 28-May 27, 2026, for stays between June 15-August 31, 2026, compared to the same period last year.
*** Third-party research was conducted by market research partner OnePoll in accordance with the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct. The Study was conducted online among 11,000 adult respondents across nine countries who travel and have stayed in a hotel.
Related Stories
The World Cup Travel Guide: What Your Ticket Doesn't Cover
Coachella, Ultra and Kentucky Derby Lead U.S. Festival Tourism
Report: Business Travel Exceeds 2% of U.S. Economy
Europe’s Early Heat Wave Fuels Interest in Travel Insurance