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Read MoreBut British holidaymakers have found to a way to make their budgets go further. EasyJet research shows that 63 per cent of UK travellers are opting for five-star accommodation in budget-friendly, more far-flung destinations over three-star properties in places such as the Spanish Costas, the Algarve or the Canaries.
It is not just easyJet that has noted a shift. Price-comparison website TravelSupermarket says that, so far this year, bookings to Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia have risen by 45 per cent on the same period in 2024.
Hotel star ratings are awarded by independent bodies or government organisations and what to expect from a five-star may vary between countries and continents, so it is worth comparing what’s on offer.
Casa Bi Hotel in Kaş Turke
The Mediterranean town of Kas on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast is one of most affordable places in the country to experience five-star luxury, with a night’s stay in high season costing an average of £125, according to Kayak.
Kas is a pretty, mellow town with white-washed walls, bright paintwork and bougainvillea everywhere you turn and now is the time to visit, says Kelly Cookes, chief commercial officer at Advantage Travel Partnership. “We are seeing Turkey spike in bookings this year and that is largely due to how much further your money will go.”
Kas is close to the Saklikent National Park, home to the Saklikent Gorge, one of the deepest canyons in Europe, and the ancient Tlos ruins. Aslar Travel Agency has a day’s tour from £42pp.
Ulcinj, Montenegro
Ulcinj, Montenegro, could stand in for Dubrovnik (Photo: Jakub Michankow/Getty/iStockphoto)With lastminute.com reporting a 98 per cent increase in bookings for Montenegro in 2024 versus 2023, the time to visit is now.
Ulcinj in the south could be a smaller stand-in for Dubrovnik. It is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast, dating to the 5th century BC, with maze-like streets and seven beaches, including the 13km sweep of the aptly-named Long Beach.
The five-star Plaza Hotel overlooks Ulcinj’s Small Beach and has an outdoor pool, spa, restaurant and kids’ club. Doubles cost from £130 in June. Podgorica airport is around 70km north, and flights with Wizz Air from Gatwick cost around £130 return.
The New Marina in el Gouna (Photo: stigalenas Provider: Getty/iStockphoto)
Alongside lagoons, coral reefs and sandy beaches, there are opportunities for kite-surfing, shopping and eating al fresco at buzzy, palm-tree-surrounded Tamr Henna Square.
El Gouna is affordable for everyday holiday costs, too, with a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant coming in at around £21 compared with around £50 in Barcelona, based on figures from cost-of-living database Numbeo. As for days out, Zanzi Travel offers a snorkelling and dolphin-spotting excursion from £14pp.
Essaouira, Morocco
The beautiful old city of Essaouira (Photo: StreetFlash/Getty/iStockphoto)Morocco’s laid-back coastal city is quieter than Marrakech and has significantly less construction than up-and-coming Agadir, about 100 miles south. Essaouira also offers year-round warmth, excellent surfing, several beaches (including a 2km sandy crescent), and a Unesco-listed Medina filled with stalls, cafés and striking doorways.
Morocco is known for its hammams, or bath houses, and Essaouira is an affordable place to try them. Azur Spa in the Medina has an hour’s hammam and massage for around £30.
On the outskirts of the city, Auberge Tangaro has 19 rooms done out in modern Moroccan style and a candlelit restaurant where meals start at €30pp (£25). There’s also a shaded garden with a pool, a spa with hammam and yoga pavilion. Doubles start at £88 in July.
The white beaches of Mahdia in Tunisia (Photo: Discover Tunisia)
The average cost of a five-star hotel room in the coastal city of Mahdia, 60km south of Sousse, is £138 between April and October, according to Kayak.
EasyJet Holidays has a week’s half-board stay for two adults and two children at the five-star Iberostar Selection Royal El Mansour from £652pp, with return flights from Luton on 5 April. The hotel has several pools and restaurants, plus entertainment and activities.
Ohrid, North Macedonia
The hilly shores of Lake Ohrid (Photo: Paul Biris/Getty/Moment RF/BPS)Lake Ohrid has sandy and shingle beaches, hiking trails and boat rides to historic sites including the 10th-century St Naum Monastery (from £16.50pp).
Return flights from Manchester to Ohrid start from around £350 in August with Tui. Wizz Air has returns from Luton to Skopje – around three hours’ drive – from around £160 in August.
Sesimbra, Portugal
Sesimbra is on the Atlantic coast of Portugal (Photo: Jacek_Sopotnicki/Getty/iStockphoto)Sesimbra, an hour from Lisbon by bus and near the Sado estuary and Troia peninsula, is a cost-effective seaside town. Here, a five-star hotel room costs an average of £206 a night in summer. Compare this to Marbella, where five-star rooms average £748 a night in July or August, according to Kayak.
Sesimbra is also well situated for dolphin-watching. DayDream Experience runs boat tours, hosted by a marine biologist, from £41pp.
Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel has B&B from £109 a night in late May. All rooms have sea views and there’s a poké bar and Latin American-inspired restaurant and wellness centre.
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