Are 5-Star Hotels Really Worth the Cost?
KEY POINTS
- There is no unified rating system, so criteria varies and is usually subjective.
- It comes down to what you personally value.
- You can use travel rewards to try it out for yourself.
Business-class flights are worth more than main cabin for myriad reasons, including better dining, better seats, and better service. When it comes to hotels, however, it's a lot harder to distinguish the metaphorical main cabin from business class.
What makes a $1,000-per-night hotel room better than the one for $300 a night -- especially when they're right across the street from each other?!
Sure, we have hotel star ratings to try and help us delineate the regular from the luxury. But how many of us know what they really mean? And without that context, how can we know if they're really worth paying two-, three-, or 10-times more?
No rating system rules them all
The hidden secret of the hotel star system is that there isn't one. Or, should I say, there isn't one.
There are countless hotel rating systems. Every travel site, guidebook, and blogger can use whatever system they want. There is no official, universal rating system for hotels.
That said, there are a few rating systems that are more well-known than others. Three of the most popular include:
- Forbes Travel Guide: Ratings are up to five "stars."
- AAA Guide: Ratings are up to five "diamonds."
- Michelin Guide: Ratings are up to three "keys."
A lot of the ratings are based on "feel"
Since each rater has their own system, the same hotel could get a different rating from each reviewer. In other words, what Forbes calls a five-star hotel might be a one-key hotel from Michelin or a four-diamond hotel from AAA.
Frankly, a lot of the ratings seem to be based on feeling as much as anything. There is a strong emphasis on the quality of service, which is definitively subjective. (My version of great service may be your version of standard service.)
Even something like amenities can be subjective. If you value fine dining, you'd probably rate a hotel better for having a top-tier chef on site than if it focused on its spa experience, instead.
All this is to say
Whether you value a five-star experience enough to splurge on it will depend on the hotel (and what it offers). I've enjoyed my few luxury hotel stays, but I've also had a nice time at the Residence Inn. It's all down to personal preference, the trip, and your budget.
How to get five-star luxury for less
The best way I know of to get a five-star hotel stay on my two-star budget is through travel rewards credit cards. Often, I use a mix of points and perks to make my luxury hotel stay more affordable (and more enjoyable).
For instance, you can use points from any of the four major credit card programs to book hotel rooms through the travel portal:
Most also have hotel partners, so you can turn your rewards into hotel points. If you're going to go this route, however, do the math before you move any points around. Most hotel points have an average redemption value of less than $0.01, making this a poor option.
A lot of great travel and hotel credit cards offer the rewards and perks I'm talking about. But there are a few that I think are worth a special mention.
Amex Platinum Card
If you want to experience a top-tier hotel, few cards help you do so better than The Platinum Card® from American Express. There are a few reasons I say that:
- You get access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts (FH&R) program. This unlocks all sorts of perks, including upgrades, property credits, and guaranteed late checkout (this is priceless!). Terms apply.
- You get an annual $200 hotel credit for rooms booked through FH&R (or The Hotel Collection). Terms apply.
- You get elite status with both Marriott (Gold Elite) and Hilton (Gold). Both get you space-available upgrades. Plus, Hilton Gold gets you free breakfast outside the U.S., and a breakfast credit within. Enrollment required, terms apply.
- You can book hotel stays with Membership Rewards points. You get $0.01 per point when you book through Amex Travel. Terms apply.
Offer | Our Rating | Welcome Offer | Rewards Program | APR |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() The Platinum Card® from American Express
Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Best for large welcome offer
|
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | 1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply. |
Intro: Purchases: n/a Balance Transfers: n/a APR: See Pay Over Time APR |
Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
If you have your eye on any premium Marriott-family properties, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a nice one to pick up. Some of my favorite perks include:
- A great welcome bonus: This could get you into a five-star hotel -- or a few nights in a still-nice-but-not-outrageously-expensive hotel. Terms apply.
- An annual free night award worth up to 85,000 points: Using this on a five-star hotel is a great way to maximize its value. Terms apply.
- Marriott Platinum Elite status: Get upgrades, earn more points, and choose complimentary breakfast at eligible hotels.
- Earn Marriott Bonvoy points faster: Between the elite status and your card's rewards, you'll earn Bonvoy points super fast, earning your way to more five-star stays.
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Rewards Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
2X-6X points
Annual Fee
$650
Welcome Offer Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points
-
It's one of the most expensive hotel cards we've seen, but the benefits could be worth thousands for the right type of cardholder.
-
- Big Marriott Bonvoy bonuses
- Travel credits
- Free night award
- Automatic Gold Elite status
- Airport lounge access
- Expensive annual fee
-
- Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
- With Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
- Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
- Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you value the simplicity of booking free hotel stays through a travel portal, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is worth exploring. Here are a few reasons why:
- Get $0.015 per point through the Chase Travel portal: Instead of the standard $0.01 rate on portal redemptions, cardholders get a bonus for a total of $0.015 per point. This makes the travel portal significantly more valuable as a redemption option.
- Annual $300 travel credit: This credit is easy to use organically as it applies to nearly any purchases that code as travel, including hotel room rates and fees.
- The Edit: This is similar to Amex's FH&R, offering perks for specific luxury properties like upgrades and credits.
Between perks and rewards, you can book that five-star stay. It's up to you to decide if it's worth the splurge.
Offer | Our Rating | Welcome Offer | Rewards Program | APR |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Reserve®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
60,000 bonus points Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. | 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠. Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. |
Intro: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A Regular: 22.49%-29.49% Variable |
Our Research Expert
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
For rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, click here
For rates and fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here
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