How a former ELLE travel editor stayed in ultra‑expensive hotels for free — and practical hacks to cut luxury trip costs

Susan Ward Davies, who spent more than 30 years as Travel and Lifestyle Editor at ELLE, shares hands‑on tactics she still uses to travel luxuriously for less. Her approach is practical: spend on the moments that matter, save on the rest, and plan a few simple moves that add hotel time or reduce daily costs without spoiling the experience.

Stretching a splurge for more value If you want a night or two in a top hotel but can't justify the full price for every night, Davies recommends a high‑low split. Stay in an Airbnb for the first part of your trip, then move into the luxury hotel for the final nights. That way you reserve the peak experience for when you'll appreciate it most.

Turn single nights into two useful days by asking for early check‑in or storing bags on arrival if rooms aren't ready. On departure day, negotiate a later checkout or ask the front desk to hold your luggage until evening. These small requests give you pool, spa, or beach hours without paying for an extra night.

Where to eat and how to save on food

Use Google Maps with local language terms (for example, épicerie in France, alimentación in Spain, gastronomia in Italy) to find independent food shops rather than chains. When hunting for a specific meal or regional specialty, ask social media with precise queries such as "where to eat truffles in Istria" or "best pintxos in San Sebastian" to get targeted recommendations.

Check whether resort hotels run free shuttles into town. If not, research taxi prices ahead of time using comparison tools like taxi‑calculator.com or bettertaxi.com so you can avoid inflated fares when you arrive.

Bar culture: cheaper, quicker, more local In Italy, Spain, France and Portugal, eating and drinking at the bar (al banco, a la barra, au comptoir, ao balcão) is both cheaper and a more local experience than sitting at a table. Many menus list different pricing tiers for bar versus table service. Opting to perch at the bar for coffee, pastries, tapas or a drink can trim bills while offering a livelier way to sample local food culture.

• Consider splitting accommodation between rental and luxury hotel to concentrate splurges.
• Ask hotels about early check‑in, late checkout, and bag storage.
• Use Too Good To Go and local terms on Google Maps to find cheaper food options.
• Compare taxi fares before arrival or use hotel shuttles when available.
• In Southern Europe, choose bar service for lower prices and a more authentic feel.