Who said the finer things in life have to be expensive?
In August, discount code website Wethrift has unveiled its list of the best U.S. cities for luxury on a budget — and concluded that Sonoma, Californiawas the best destination to live a 5 star experience at a lower cost.
To reach this conclusion, the team analyzed food and accommodation options in cities across the country. They looked at prices at 956 Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants and 348 luxury hotels rated 3 to 5 stars, using data from Booking.com and TripAdvisor. (The team noted that restaurant and hotel prices were standardized by “applying a min-max normalization taken from their respective prices to ensure that they have an equal impact on the overall score.”)
“Sonoma is the least expensive city for a 5-star experience, with an average restaurant price of just $43.75 and an average hotel price of $518.00,” the team says in its findings. “In Sonoma, you can enjoy restaurants such as Valleythen spend a night at Cottage Inn and Spa” . “
But really, that's just the beginning of what you can eat, stay, and have fun in the greater Sonoma County area. There's also the beautiful Healdsburg Montage, The Sea Ranch LodgeAnd The Madronaas well as restaurants like Dry Creek Kitchen And Barndiva which offer a taste of something local.Discover other activities to do during your stay in the region by reading Travel + LeisureThe Sonoma guide here.)
In second place for “luxury at a lower cost” destinations is Chicagowhere the team found that travelers can get a “5-star experience with an average restaurant price of $52.88 and a hotel price of $411.25, making it a top choice.”
Joining these top destinations is San Diegowhich cost an average of $49.19 for meals and $579 per night for hotels, and Santa Barbara in fourth place, where the average dining experience in that city is $54.46 and the average nightly hotel rate is $552. Rounding out the top five, Los Angeleswhich offers high-end dining experiences at $55.45 and hotels at $559.75 per night.
“Experiencing luxury doesn’t have to be expensive. Our research shows that you can indulge and indulge in these high-end experiences without breaking the bank, proving that opulence and affordability can go hand in hand,” Wethrift founder Nick Drewe said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure“Whether it’s enjoying gourmet meals or staying in elegant hotels, we believe everyone deserves a taste of luxury.”
