Will Affordable Luxury Become The New Travel Norm?

As the travel industry slowly but surely bounces back from months upon months of restrictions and shutdowns, upscale hotels and resorts have created never-before-offered discounted packages designed to attract guests. These include such deals as “stay longer, save more” rates along with all inclusive specials. Iconic hotels such as The Hermitage Hotel are offering affordable rates that won’t max out your credit card. With prices starting at $260 per night, this cherished Nashville landmark, provides the ultimate in southern hospitality. Discerning travelers who are looking for an affordable luxury experience can take advantage of the following deals.

Salmon Falls Resort, Ketchikan, Alaska

An intimate full-service waterfront resort featuring 51 rooms, Salmon Falls is ideal for travelers seeking customized outdoor explorations in a small, private setting. The resort is opening six weeks earlier than normal on May 1 due to increased consumer interest in convenient, yet off-the-grid escapes. Due to the lack of cruise ships and less charter fishing excursions, wildlife watching and fishing are better than ever. Salmon Falls is situated at the southernmost entrance to Alaska’s iconic Inside Passage, located just 90 minutes from Seattle. New experiences at the resort for 2021 will focus on adventure, cultural and culinary themes that honor the extraordinary setting and heritage of the Alaskan Panhandle. Rates starting from $350 and include all-inclusive dining.

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona

A lauded luxury resort, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa is a striking boutique property in Paradise Valley, Arizona, just minutes from downtown Scottsdale. Indulge in a candlelit dinner for two at elements, the resort’s signature restaurant helmed by Executive Chef Beau MacMillan. This past November, the hotel welcomed the appointment of two industry powerhouses to the F&B team, Chef de Cuisine Samantha Sanz and Bar Chef Christiaan Röllich, who are steering the evolution of the resort’s signature elements restaurant and jade bar. Low season rates starting at $329 per night.

Shore Lodge, McCall, Idaho

Located in one of the country’s best ski towns, Shore Lodge is perfect for an affordable vacation laced with off-the-beaten-path luxury. A four-season destination offering outdoor enthusiasts and families an incredible backdrop for both adrenaline-inducing activity and leisure pursuits, the resort is a lakefront escape just 2.5 hours outside of Boise. A McCall landmark since 1948, Shore Lodge is situated on the edge of the largest area of protected wilderness in the continental United States. The historic 77-room lakefront resort is set in the heart of the Salmon River Mountains on the southern waters of Payette Lake, a 5,330-acre expanse of clean, glacial waters. Rates starting from $189.

Quail Lodge, Carmel, California

Beloved for generations, Quail Lodge, located on the sunny side of the Carmel, is the ideal destination for a weekend of relaxation. The quaint lodge sits on 850 acres of lush fairways, oak-studded meadows and sparkling lakes offering guests an array of amenities to experience, including golf, heated outdoor pool, bocce court, extensive nature trails, tennis courts and a Land Rover driving experience, all with the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains as a backdrop. As part of its “All You Need is Love” initiative, Quail Lodge has introduced a number of new affordable offerings such as a romantic two-night stay. Rates starting from $205.

Waldorf Astoria Park City, Utah

Tucked away in Canyons Village in Park City with endless mountaintop views, Waldorf Astoria Park City is an exhilarating vacation or tranquil mountain retreat. The perfect home base for alpine adventurers, the resort property offers slope-side access to Park City Mountain, the largest ski and snowboarding resort in the country. Guests booking a suite have access to kitchenettes stocked with ingredients for dishes like shrimp and vegetable quesadillas or filet mignon along with a detailed recipe card written by the hotel’s executive chef. The property offers 160 accommodations and hot tubs are available in many of the guest rooms plus two larger hot tubs for all guests on the pool deck. Rates starting from $306.

Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois

Located just outside of Chicago, the 57-room Deer Path Inn is renowned for its truly luxurious amenities and offerings, such as traditional Afternoon Tea service (developed in partnership with a Master of Tea from England) and exceptional dining and cocktail offerings across three restaurants. Spacious accommodations create an unparalleled guest experience. The inn offers its beloved Afternoon Tea program in-suite along with private wine and bourbon tasting in the inn’s “hidden” wine cellar. Also, one-on-one cocktail classes are offered with chief spirits officer, Jorge Centeno, where guests can learn how to make a series of delectable drinks. Rates starting from $329.

HarbourView Inn, Charleston, South Carolina

Boasting some of the best views in town, Charleston’s 52-room waterfront hotel in the Historic District offers guests the intimate approach of a bed and breakfast with the features of a luxurious boutique hotel. Guests can also enjoy an impressive list of free amenities including artisanal breakfast in bed, afternoon wine and cheese, warm milk and cookies before bed and nightly turndown. The property also features a private rooftop flanked by 360-degree views of the historic harbor, famed Pineapple Fountain and church steeples. Rates starting from $329.

The Roundtree, Amagansett, New York

Set against the pristine landscape of the Amagansett farmlands, this is the newest Hamptons property for those looking for a quiet and cozy getaway. The 15-room boutique hotel celebrates the humble farm steading origins of the destination with lasting design inspired by nature in its five stand-alone private cottages (ranging from studio, one, two and three bedrooms) and a combination of suites set in a 100-year-old historic barn. The Roundtree is mere steps from the village of Amagansett and the ocean, enabling guests to enjoy all that the region has to offer or to retreat in bliss on this two-acre property. Rates starting from $349.

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, Louisiana

Located in the center of Canal Street, the hotel embodies the traditional southern ambiance of New Orleans. Set within the 1908 Beaux Arts Maison Blanche, the hotel will introduce a renovation in the spring, innovative culinary experiences and 527 modern accommodations. The hotel recently underwent a $40 million renovation aimed to energize the luxurious legacy of the historic building, transforming the guest rooms and suites, while also unveiling refreshed amenities to complement the hotel’s original charm and grace. This summer guests can expect a fully refreshed spa which will feature an expansive private terrace with splendid views of the French Quarter. Rates starting from $199.

The Foundry Hotel, Asheville, North Carolina

The Foundry Hotel, an 87-room luxury boutique hotel, is an historic restoration of Asheville, North Carolina’s former steel foundry. An authentically Asheville experience, The Foundry offers immersive guest programming such as luxury fly-fishing excursions and interactive botany lessons. After taking a spin in the hotel’s branded Tesla model X house car or riding on the set of exclusive REEB mountain bikes, guests can enjoy local beer and hand-crafted libations with organic spirits at the Workshop Lounge lobby bar, along with regional Appalachian-inspired cuisine led by local chef John Fleer at his on-site restaurant, Benne on Eagle. Rates starting from $239.