10 Affordable Luxury Weekend Getaways

Affordable luxury is the name of the game and anyone who has done a cursory search of the popular travel sites knows airfare is typically the most expensive part of the puzzle these days. With high fuel costs and even higher consumer demand airline ticket prices can go sky high, and travelers have to sacrifice in other areas of their vacation to make up the difference.

Until now.

Back in 2016, Cheapflights.com released their 7th annual affordability report showing the U.S. airports that are the least expensive to fly to and from. Presuming those numbers haven’t changed much in two years, I took their top 10 destinations in the United States and found some of the best hotels in town so you can enjoy a luxury getaway to a city you may not have thought of before.

Courtesy of Hyatt Centric The Pike

Long Beach, CA (Average airfare $202)
HYATT CENTRIC THE PIKE LONG BEACH: Just steps away from the sandy shores and bustling Pine Street, the hotel has a great location and amenities to match, with the only hotel rooftop pool in the city.

Courtesy of Four Seasons Dallas at Las Colinas

Dallas/Fort Worth, TX (Average airfare $203)
FOUR SEASONS DALLAS AT LAS COLINAS: A full fledged resort with an 18-hole golf course, a spa, and what the hotel describes as a “the country club experience”. The Four Seasons name is synonymous with luxury for a reason (and the nightly price will likely reflect this), but in this case, the plush surroundings may be worth the price tag.

Courtesy of The Mark Hotel

Laguardia, NY (Average airfare $215)
THE MARK: There is no shortage of top-notch hotels in New York City so picking just one was tough, but The Mark checks all of the requirements for a luxury property. Great location in a great part of Manhattan, historic building, lavishly furnished rooms and suites, and even a partnership with Bergdorf Goodman so you can reserve your own personal shopper during your stay.

Courtesy of The Pfister Hotel

General Mitchell International, WI (Average airfare $230)
THE PFISTER HOTEL: Location is key for this property, as it is located just a few blocks away from Lake Michigan and is steps away from entertainment and cultural hotspots. The 125 year old hotel is located in downtown Milwaukee, and advertises “a grand tradition of gracious service and impeccable style.”

Courtesy of Hotel Ivy, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Minneapolis-St Paul International, MN (Average airfare $237)
HOTEL IVY: A wedding planner’s dream venue, the picturesque Hotel Ivy is a Luxury Collection hotel located in downtown Minneapolis. The hotel incorporates the historic Ivy Tower, and features a spa and on-site dining.  The hotel has been deemed one of the best in the entire state, as it is the only Forbes® Travel Guide Four-Star property in Minnesota.

Courtesy of the Kimpton Hotel Born

Denver, CO (Average airfare $242)
KIMPTON HOTEL BORN: Part urban aesthetic, part alpine getaway, the Kimpton Hotel Born is one of the newer hotels in Denver. The property features floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, a chef-driven restaurant, and an original art collection.

Courtesy of the Ritz Carlton Ft. Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International, FL (Average airfare $245)
RITZ CARLTON FORT LAUDERDALE: Want to escape the Spring Breakers? Try the Ritz, which prices out the average party-goer, but provides top notch waterfront views, cabanas, an infinity pool, and a spa.

Courtesy of The Langham Chicago

Chicago-O’Hare International, IL (Average airfare $246)
THE LANGHAM CHICAGO: A distinctive looking hotel housed in a skyscraper designed by renowned architect Mies van der Rohe, the Langham Chicago is central to plenty of cultural and entertainment draws in the city including the Loop, Grant Park, and the Magnificent Mile. The hotel was named the #1 Luxury Hotel in the US by TripAdvisor, and also received a top rating from US News and World Report.

Courtesy of the Mandarin Oriental Atlanta

Atlanta, GA (Average airfare $249)
MANDARIN ORIENTAL ATLANTA: Peak contemporary luxe living in Atlanta. The Buckhead hotel features an on-site restaurant, a spa, and modern furnishings that set it apart from a lot of the older hotels at a similar price point in the city.

Courtesy of the Rittenhouse Hotel

Philadelphia, PA (Average airfare $253)
THE RITTENHOUSE HOTEL: Another Forbes Four Star hotel on the list, The Rittenhouse Hotel offers fine dining and well appointed rooms, including a variety of specialty suites. The hotel is located in Rittenhouse Square, a park and cultural district in Philadelphia.