Hotel Price Index 2026: how last-minute bookings can cut hotel costs

Booking a hotel just a few days before travelling can be more advantageous than arranging accommodation months ahead. This is according to the 2026 Hotel Price Index (HPI), a Hotels.com study that highlights substantial differences in rates depending on when a stay is booked, the chosen check-in day and the time of year.

The research suggests that Brazilian travellers are adopting ways to cut spending without sacrificing their accommodation experience. The key factors shaping this choice include flexibility over travel dates, finding the best time to book and the balance between price and the services available.

The findings show that bookings made between zero and seven days before departure can cost up to 48% less than reservations made more than four months in advance. For four-star hotels, the average saving reaches 37%.

The study also found that prices vary according to the day selected to begin a stay and the period in which the trip takes place.

Thursday offers the lowest rates for domestic travel

According to the 2026 Hotel Price Index, Thursday is, on average, the cheapest day to begin a stay on domestic trips within Brazil.

For international travel, February is among the months with the lowest average rates, presenting an opportunity for travellers with flexible schedules.

The research indicates that pairing strategic dates with bookings made closer to departure has enabled many travellers to lower their accommodation costs.

Hotels.com says this behavioural shift reflects a drive for greater efficiency in travel planning, with travellers paying closer attention to the timing of their purchase and the opportunities available in the market.

Luxury is increasingly linked to value for money

Beyond booking habits, the research reveals a change in how travellers assess hotels in higher categories.

Rather than exclusively favouring five-star properties, some tourists are choosing four-star hotels that provide facilities, services and amenities comparable with higher-rated categories, but at more accessible prices.

“While travel prices continue to fluctuate, Brazilian travellers are becoming much more intentional about how they plan and book their trips,” says Melanie Fish, Vice-President of Global Public Relations and travel expert at Hotels.com.

According to Melanie, travellers have been making the most of last-minute deals, lower-demand periods and destinations that offer a stronger balance between cost and experience. The study also notes that some four-star hotels in Brazil provide facilities and services similar to those at five-star properties, reinforcing the trend towards seeking better value for money when travelling.

Ten 4-star hotels that deliver a 5-star experience

1 – Meliá Jardim Europa (São Paulo, SP)

Meliá Jardim Europa delivers a calmer stay with a more residential feel than many of São Paulo’s larger hotels. Set in the Itaim Bibi district, it places guests within walking distance of some of the city’s finest restaurants, cafés and nightlife options, while retaining a quiet, comfortable atmosphere after a busy day in the capital. The experience is refined without feeling overly formal.

Its interiors follow a contemporary style, with warm lighting and spacious rooms creating an inviting, relaxed mood throughout the property. The rooftop swimming pool and wellness spaces bring a more restful dimension to the stay, while the location is particularly convenient for travellers combining business meetings, dining and time exploring São Paulo’s cosmopolitan side.

2 – PortoBay Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro, RJ)

PortoBay Rio de Janeiro provides a classic seafront hotel experience, with a quieter and more sophisticated atmosphere than some of the city’s large resort-style hotels. Facing Copacabana Beach, it combines sweeping ocean views with a more intimate approach to hospitality, remaining elegant without becoming excessively formal. The setting is particularly appealing to travellers wishing to engage with Rio’s beach culture while enjoying a more comfortable, private environment.

The rooftop pool and terrace stand out throughout the day for their wide views across Copacabana, Sugarloaf Mountain and the cityscape. Rooms feature contemporary décor with welcoming details that soften the urban beachfront feel, while the overall experience remains restful, elegant and closely connected to the classic lifestyle of Rio’s coastline.

3 – Pestana Curitiba (Curitiba, PR)

Pestana Curitiba offers a more classic, comfortable hotel stay in one of the city’s most traditional districts. Located in Batel, it keeps guests close to Curitiba’s dining scene, shopping areas and cultural attractions while maintaining a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere within the property. The experience is welcoming and refined without being overly formal, making it suitable for both business and leisure travel.

The interiors bring together contemporary touches and warmer details that make the spaces comfortable and easy to enjoy throughout a stay. Rooms are spacious and practical, while the wellness and leisure areas add a more balanced element to the experience. Overall, the hotel provides a comfortable, polished urban stay that is connected to Curitiba’s everyday rhythm.

4 – Life Residence (Belo Horizonte, MG)

Life Residence brings a more contemporary aparthotel concept to central Belo Horizonte, combining the flexibility of apartment-style accommodation with the atmosphere of a modern urban hotel. Positioned close to Shopping Cidade, Central Market and Liberty Square, it is especially convenient for travellers looking to experience the city’s cultural and social scene while enjoying a quieter setting at the end of the day. The atmosphere is modern, practical and more residential in character than traditional hotels.

The interiors use a contemporary, functional design, with studio-style layouts that create a comfortable, relaxed experience throughout the stay. Rooftop areas, a swimming pool and wellness spaces add a lifestyle-focused touch, while the central location makes it easy to explore Belo Horizonte conveniently. Overall, the hotel offers a modern, relaxed urban experience suited to those seeking more flexible accommodation.

5 – Radisson Hotel Recife (Recife, PE)

Radisson Hotel Recife provides a modern, comfortable beachfront stay in one of Recife’s best-known areas. Located on Boa Viagem Beach, it combines the convenience of an urban setting with a calmer atmosphere connected to the city’s coastal lifestyle. The experience is welcoming and practical, making it ideal both for business travellers and for those keen to enjoy the cuisine, culture and beaches of Pernambuco’s capital.

The interiors follow a contemporary approach, with spacious rooms and communal areas designed around comfort and practicality. Ocean views, leisure facilities and proximity to restaurants and local attractions help create a stay that is both convenient and relaxing.

6 – Meliá Campinas (Campinas, SP)

Meliá Campinas offers a sophisticated yet welcoming hotel experience in one of Campinas’ most vibrant and well-situated districts. Based in Cambuí, it puts guests near restaurants, cafés, nightlife and business areas, without compromising on a calmer, more comfortable atmosphere within the property. The experience is contemporary and inviting, particularly suited to travellers balancing work commitments with time to enjoy the city’s lifestyle.

The interiors combine modern design with warmer details, creating an elegant yet relaxed environment throughout a stay. Spacious rooms, wellness areas and leisure spaces bring greater balance to the experience, while the location makes it easy to explore Campinas conveniently. Overall, the hotel delivers a comfortable, modern urban stay connected to the city’s everyday pace.

7 – Monte Pascoal Praia Hotel (Salvador, BA)

Monte Pascoal Praia Hotel offers a more laid-back beachfront stay in one of Salvador’s liveliest coastal districts. Located opposite Porto da Barra Beach, it places guests close to restaurants, cultural attractions and the energetic atmosphere of the seafront, while maintaining a comfortable, welcoming environment. The experience is inviting and strongly connected to Salvador’s beach lifestyle, making it ideal for those wishing to balance the beach, local culture and time to unwind.

Its interiors pair contemporary comfort with a more casual atmosphere that complements the destination’s tropical setting. Sea-view areas, leisure spaces and comfortable rooms make for a practical, restful stay, whether for a short break or a longer visit to the city.

8 – Eco Cataratas Resort by SJ (Foz do Iguaçu, PR)

Eco Cataratas Resort by SJ provides an accommodation experience more closely linked to nature, without giving up the comfort and facilities of a contemporary resort. Situated on the road leading to Iguaçu Falls, the hotel is surrounded by abundant greenery and tropical landscapes, creating a calmer atmosphere that immediately contrasts with Foz do Iguaçu’s busier areas. The experience is relaxing and spacious, especially suited to travellers wishing to balance sightseeing with time to rest.

The resort combines modern leisure facilities with a warm, family-friendly atmosphere across the property. Swimming pools, wellness spaces and outdoor areas become central features of the experience, while rooms maintain a comfortable, contemporary style. Overall, the hotel provides an elegant, relaxed stay that is deeply connected to the destination’s natural surroundings.

9 – Fusion Hplus Express (Brasília, DF)

Fusion Hplus Express offers a practical, contemporary hotel stay in the heart of Brasília. Located near the Esplanade of Ministries and key commercial and cultural landmarks, it is an especially convenient choice for travellers looking to combine work commitments, sightseeing and the capital’s urban lifestyle. The atmosphere is comfortable, modern and uncomplicated, serving as a calmer alternative to the large corporate hotels in the area.

The interiors follow a contemporary concept, with functional, well-arranged spaces that make a stay smoother and more comfortable. Leisure and wellness areas add a more balanced dimension to the experience, while the central location makes it easier to explore Brasília’s architecture, dining scene and daily rhythm.

10 – Intercity Porto Alegre Cidade Baixa (Porto Alegre, RG)

Intercity Porto Alegre Cidade Baixa offers a more contemporary atmosphere connected to urban life in one of the city’s most vibrant districts. Surrounded by cafés, bars and cultural venues, the hotel reflects Porto Alegre’s social and creative energy, making it especially appealing to travellers who want to explore a more local, modern and dynamic side of the destination during their stay.

The interiors combine contemporary design, warm lighting and comfortable social spaces, creating an inviting environment throughout the property. Rooms balance practicality with a more current aesthetic, while the rooftop leisure area reinforces the hotel’s youthful, urban personality. Overall, the experience is relaxed, modern and closely aligned with contemporary urban travel.