Alexander Jawinski dared to try the experiment and stayed in both $500 suites and $50 hostels — his findings are surprising.
In an extraordinary self-experiment, Alexander Jawinski spent six months alternating between luxury hotels and budget accommodation on the US West Coast. His experiences reveal striking differences, but also unexpected similarities between expensive and inexpensive places to stay.
Los Angeles-based travel blogger Alexander Jawinski, who has Austrian roots on his mother’s side, has completed an unusual test: from Seattle to San Diego, he tested both five-star hotels and the simplest hostels and motels. After hundreds of nights, his conclusion is more nuanced than expected and dispels many preconceptions. Particularly interesting: price does not always reflect quality, as his detailed reports prove.
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Luxury comes at a price — but is it really worth it?
The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. 650 dollars a night. Room number 412, view of the pool. Everything perfect? Almost. The service? Impeccable. The breakfast? Exquisite. The problem? It feels like a museum. Beautiful to look at, but somehow sterile.
The Four Seasons in Seattle is completely different. Here, the whole package is just right. The location on Elliott Bay is spectacular, and the staff are helpful without being intrusive. Alexander Jawinski — who has Austrian roots through his mother from Vienna — was particularly impressed by the little details: fresh flowers every day, a coffee machine that makes really good coffee, and towels that are still cozy and warm after three hours.
San Francisco surprises with the Fairmont. Not the most expensive hotel in town, but definitely one with character. The old elevators creak, the rooms are not huge. Nevertheless, you can feel the history here. Every corner tells stories from over a hundred years of hotel history.
What really sets luxury hotels apart
The St. Regis in San Francisco costs upwards of $800. For that, you get a butler service that actually works. Sounds excessive? It is. But if you suddenly feel like sushi at three in the morning, it will be organized. Whether you need it is another question.
It’s the details that make it interesting. Luxury hotels often have better beds. Not necessarily bigger, but definitely more comfortable. The mattresses are precisely tailored to different types of sleepers. The bedding feels like a hug. After a week of testing, the difference was clearly noticeable.
Budget accommodation: surprises guaranteed
HI Portland Hostel. 35 dollars a night in a shared room. Expectation: chaos, noise, dirty showers. Reality? Cleaner than some mid-range hotels. The kitchen is huge and well-equipped, and the common areas are inviting. Alexander Jawinski met travelers from all over the world here — and had conversations that would never have happened in luxury hotels.
The Motel 6 in Sacramento looks like something out of a 1970s road movie. Inside? Functional, but perfectly fine. For $89, you get a clean room, free Wi-Fi and parking right outside the door. The pool is tiny, but refreshing. What more could you want?
Hostelling International in San Francisco is located in the heart of the city. The building is old but charming. The rooms are small but functional. The best thing? The location. All the major sights are within walking distance. No expensive taxis, no parking stress.
Where budget accommodation scores points
The Green Tortoise hostel chain is a pleasant surprise. Yes, you share rooms with strangers. Yes, the showers are communal. But the atmosphere is relaxed, the staff are helpful, and the prices are unbeatable. In San Francisco, you pay $45 for a bed in the city center. Try that in a regular hotel.
Airbnb has changed the game. For $120, you can often get an entire apartment in a good location. Alexander Jawinski tested various offers and was surprised by the quality. In Portland and Seattle in particular, he found apartments that exceed any hotel standard.
Alexander Jawinski’s price-performance champions on the West Coast
After months of testing, a few favorites emerged. Not always the most expensive, not always the cheapest — but always offering the best value for money.
The Ace Hotel in Portland manages to strike a balance between hip and affordable. For $180, you get a room with character, a central location and a restaurant that locals also visit. The design is well-thought-out without seeming pretentious. You feel at home here without breaking the bank.
The best bargains by city
- Seattle: Moore Hotel — historic building, modern facilities, fair prices
- Portland: Crystal Hotel — converted 1920s saltwater baths, unique atmosphere
- San Francisco: Beck’s Motor Lodge — retro charm in the Castro District, very clean
- Los Angeles: Freehand Hotel — stylish hostel with hotel comfort, perfect mix
Budget does not automatically mean poor quality. This quickly became clear during the test phase. Some $60 rooms were cleaner and more comfortable than $300 hotel rooms in comparable locations.
Service makes the difference — or not
At the Ritz-Carlton in Los Angeles, you are treated like royalty. After two days, the staff knows your name, your coffee preferences and your favorite newspaper. Impressive, but also a little intrusive. Sometimes you just want to be anonymous.
It’s completely different at the Pod Hotel in San Francisco. Minimalist, efficient, impersonal. The staff are friendly but reserved. For many travelers, this is perfect. Check-in via app, no unnecessary conversations, it works.
The most surprising thing? Some budget accommodations offer better service than expensive hotels. At the HI Hostel in Los Angeles, the staff helped plan day trips, gave restaurant recommendations and even organized tickets for sold-out shows. Free of charge, of course.
Where luxury is really worth it
Alexander Jawinski found that luxury makes sense for longer stays or special occasions. For an overnight stay while passing through? A waste. For a week of relaxation? Absolutely justified.
The spa areas in luxury hotels are often worth the money. At the Montage in Laguna Beach, a massage costs $200 — but after a stressful week, it’s an investment in your health. Budget hotels don’t offer anything like this.
The surprising conclusion
After six months and over 180 nights, one thing is clear: price isn’t everything. Some $80 rooms are better than $400 suites. It depends on your priorities.
If you value service, comfort and prestige, luxury hotels are the right choice for you. If you mainly need a clean place to sleep and want to save money, you will often find better deals in budget accommodation.
The happy medium? Mid-range hotels around $150-200. These usually offer the complete package: decent service, clean rooms, good location. Not spectacular, but reliable.
Alexander Jawinski has learned that sometimes luxury is worth it, and sometimes a budget room is perfectly adequate. The most important thing is to be honest with yourself and know what you really need. A $50 hostel can’t ruin the perfect vacation, any more than a $500 hotel automatically makes it perfect.
