How to Book a Luxury Hotel for Less in Summer 2025

Dreaming of a luxury getaway without the eye-watering price tag? You are not alone. Summer 2025 is expected to be one of the busiest seasons for travel, and luxury hotel rates are already climbing, especially in popular hotspots across the UK and Europe. But just because prices are up does not mean you have to pay full price.

Here is how to book a luxury hotel for less this summer, without compromising on the things that make a stay truly memorable.

1. Skip the Booking Sites with Heavy Commission Fees

Most mainstream hotel booking platforms charge properties hefty commission fees, sometimes up to 25 percent. To cover that, many hotels raise their public rates, meaning you end up paying more for the same room.

Secret Stays works differently. Because our members pay a flat yearly fee, we take no commission from hotels. That means you get access to lower-than-public prices on the same luxury properties you already love - from global five-star names to boutique countryside gems.

2. Travel Midweek or Shift Your Dates

If you have flexibility, this one change can unlock huge savings. Luxury hotels tend to fill up on weekends and bank holidays, so shifting your stay to Monday through Thursday or booking a Sunday check-in can bring the price down significantly.

Bonus: Midweek stays are often quieter, with more attentive service and easier upgrades.

3. Look Just Outside Tourist Hotspots

The difference of 20 minutes can mean the difference between £700 per night and £250. Want a five-star spa retreat in the Cotswolds? Try nearby Worcestershire or Gloucestershire. Paris feeling overpriced? Look at Versailles or Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

The property is still luxurious, just not surrounded by inflated prices and crowds.

4. Book Directly Where You Can, or Use Member Platforms

Luxury hotels often reward direct or member-based bookings with better rates, room upgrades, or extras like complimentary breakfast. With Secret Stays, you book directly through the hotel, but access the rate through your membership.

That means no platform interference, no public markup, and no hidden fees. You get the perks of direct booking and the pricing power of being in the club.

5. Consider a Holiday Home with Hotel-Level Comfort

Many travellers overlook high-end holiday homes that offer more space, privacy, and style than hotels, often for less money. Think converted barns, coastal townhouses, and countryside estates with interior design that rivals a boutique hotel.

Through Secret Stays, members can book these properties with the same commission-free advantage, and often find luxurious homes at a fraction of hotel rates.

Final Thought

Luxury travel does not have to come with luxury markups. By avoiding public platform fees, booking with intention, and using access-based platforms like Secret Stays, you can enjoy five-star experiences for far less than you might expect.

Whether you are escaping to the French Riviera or planning a romantic countryside staycation, summer 2025 can still feel indulgent, without draining your travel fund.

The Secret Stays Perspective

Our members use Secret Stays to access thousands of luxury hotels and holiday homes worldwide, all at commission-free prices. From five-star resorts in the Med to beautifully designed UK retreats, your membership gives you private access to lower rates without needing to search endlessly or wait for flash sales.

One luxury booking can easily cover the cost of your membership. Everything after that? Pure savings.