So did Bruce get up on stage?

Back in the '80s, we stayed at Brown's Hotel in London. Don't remember what we paid, but we know it stretched our budget and was worth every cent for the marvelous service and the lovely, large, antique filled room and luxury bath. We couldn't even dream of staying there now. In real dollar terms, I suspect Brown's cost us less than we will pay to spend a night at Gatwick Airport before heading out for an early AM flight home to New York next spring.

I had always wanted to stay at the Eisenhut in Rothenburg. I saw a deal on the internet for $270 with a meal and the nightwatchman's tour.

Bad decision. The room was definitely not one of their stellar accommodations, the food was not very good, and the reception was aloof and cold. I was disappointed. It was definitely not worth it.

The night watchman's tour was fun, though.

The Claverly, London, Dec. 1986. Paltry by today's exchange rate but it was a lot of money for me back then. It was worth every pound. Of course there were some nights on the same trip where I spent $11 at a B&B to afford the splurge at the end of the trip.

Last year we received an unrequested upgrade to a deluxe ocean view room at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. The regular price for that room is about $700 per night. We were on a AAA package with flights, car and breakfast. It was absolute heaven and I will always treasure the memories and photos.

After looking around 3 hours for a hotel room just to sleep 6-7 hours in Athens due to a conferance everything was booked up. I trusted myself that I would find something and did not booked beforehand, I had to wait 2 hours at hotel lobby talking to night manager, got a room I believe was 250 Euros for single B&B at NJV Athens Plaza. Hotel is fine and finding a bed and shower for the morning was worth the money for that moment. Due to my business I stay at hotels ever so often and stay at luxury hotels like 1500 Euro suite per night either complimentary or paid by business.

Again there is a point to clear on hotel room rates; 100 Usd in Germany does not justify the same quality in Italy or in Turkey.

I was surprized 450 Usd per night Sheraton Antalya, I felt sorry for Michel Paris because I do not think anyone else pays more than 200-250 Usd. for a double even in high season.

Heimdal I also now remember over 200 Euros per night at Sofitel at Athens airport, nice hotel, nice rooms but still feels expensive comparing what would equal this rate here.

Great question, ekscrunchy! Now I don't feel so guilty for not always being a budget traveler....

Most expensive - Canal view room at the Gritti Palace in Venice. About $750 per night in 1999. Worth it for my first visit to La Serenissima but I would probably go elsewhere on a subsequent visit.

Next - probably $500 per at Le Sireneuse in Positano in 2002. Absolutely worth every penny. We loved our room overlooking the sea and the tiled dome of the church. Full feast Italian breakfast every morning on the terrace as we watched the sun sparkle on the gorgeous water.

A tie with Hotel Lancaster, Paris - about $500/night in 2004. Worth it. I wanted a special place for my birthday in Paris.

Hotels in the $200-$500 range:
Grand Timeo, Taormina - ok, but not memorable
Hotel D'Inghilterra, Rome, near Spanish Steps - would go there again just for the location
Baglio della Luna, Agrigento - worth it
Pavilion de la Reine, Paris - worth it
Domaine des Hauts de Loire, Onzain - $325 per night in 2006 and the best hotel ever for the money
Hotel Cep, Beaune - great hotel in the city centre, worth it

$500.00 (U.S.)for one night at the Heathrow Hilton. Was not worth it.

Coincidentally, the cheapest hotel room is the one I am in now $21.00. I am in Nanning, China. A nice hotel too. Believe it or not the name of it is The High Class Hotel. Every room has a computer for internet acess.I'm writing this blog in my room. It looks almost identical to the room at the Heathrow Hilton, only a little larger. Today that room at the Hilton would cost me about 750.00.

The best hotels I stayed in were the Ashford Castle (www.ashford.ie) and Dromloland Castle (www.dromoland.ie) in Ireland. The cost was about$500 per night but they were magnificent.I found the Savoy in London poor value recently for $700.

Baur au Lac ($1100 per night) - suite with balcony. Worth every penny.

Inverlochy Castle many years ago - can't remember the price, but it was in the stratosphere - also worth every penny!

Just don't understand how people can pay so expensive for 1 nite
I think 60$ is normal price but ...

"Just don't understand how people can pay so expensive for 1 nite
I think 60$ is normal price but ..."

What's wrong with splurging? And what's wrong with spending the money if you can afford it? Maybe this was a once-in-a-lifetime splurge. Maybe it's the norm. I can think of a few reasons why people would stay at such an expensive place.