New Five-Star Hotels Can Cost 30-50% Less - But There's a Catch

Travelers can cut spending on five-star hotels by booking newly opened properties, where starting prices sometimes run 30-50 percent below what the same hotel charges once it has built a reputation and settled into steady operation, according to Daria Vechkanova, an expert at premium tour booking service Onlinetours Premium, who spoke to Lenta.ru.

The savings come with risks. A new hotel booking doesn't guarantee a good vacation: construction work or partially closed facilities can spoil the stay, and such offers aren't available at every property.

Vechkanova suggests considering a hotel roughly six months after it opens if you want to avoid teething problems. On the Maldives, she noted, some new properties need about a year before the grounds finally look the way guests expect from a premium resort - greenery established, infrastructure fully running and the team in its rhythm.

Earlier, early booking was cited as a way to save on New Year holidays.