Luxe travel for less: your expert guide to affordable indulgent breaks

Luxury travel conjures up images of white-tablecloth restaurants, butler service and a hefty price tag. However, booking a luxury holiday doesn’t have to cost a small fortune. Whether you’re looking for a swim-up suite, decadent spa treatments or Michelin-starred dining, there are plenty of great-value destinations in Europe that go the extra mile in terms of quality, service and experiences.

With Indulgent Escapes by Jet2holidays, each package includes return flights, a generous 25kg baggage allowance, and return private hotel transfers. Thoughtful luxury perks also include complimentary priority lane passes at your UK airport and two complimentary in-flight drinks and a £10 voucher to spend onboard.* All you need to do is bring your suitcase and passport, secure in the knowledge that every detail of your trip is covered.

From beachfront boltholes to private pool villas, we’ve hand-picked the following Indulgent Escapes hotels for their five-star service, unbeatable locations and luxury perks. Read on to pick your perfect break and prepare for a summer of decadence…

Set in the heart of the Turkish Riviera, Antalya is known as the pearl of the Mediterranean. With its near-perfect climate, string of white-sand beaches and crystalline water, it’s easy to see why this cosmopolitan city ranks highly on many travellers’ luxury bucket lists.

Dozens of world-class golf courses pepper this corner of Turkey, attracting the likes of Tiger Woods and Barack Obama. Avid fans should book the five-star Regnum Carya, which has its own championship course (just make sure to book the golf package). Stay for seven nights and you’ll be treated to four rounds of golf with complimentary shuttles on hand, ready to whisk you off to the first hole. If teeing off isn’t your cup of tea, opt for an indulgent full-body massage at the organic on-site spa.

For another beachfront beauty, the NG Phaselis Bay sits on its own silky lick of sand, framed by the dramatic Taurus Mountains. It’s an ideal spot for families looking for a luxurious break. While your children are playing tennis or getting arty at the kids’ club, slope off to sunbathe by one of three palm-flanked pools. The best part? This hotel is All Inclusive Plus, so you can relax knowing all of your holiday costs are taken care of.

Crete has long been a magnet for lovers looking for a romantic sojourn, thanks to its cedar-fringed swimming coves and secluded beaches. As the largest Greek island, it boasts a plethora of attractions – from mountainous hiking trails through the Imbros Gorge to world-famous ancient palaces at Knossos.

For a blissfully child-free stay, book the adults-only Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa. Splash out on an Island Villa; each one comes with its own private pool with an idyllic sunbathing terrace. If you can tear yourself away from your amorous bubble, try a sunrise yoga class or guided cycling tour, before spending the afternoon oscillating between two outdoor freshwater pools.

With its rainforest-carpeted mountains, azure waters and subtropical climate, you’d be forgiven for mistaking Madeira for a Hawaiian island. Compared to the party-centric Canary Islands, Madeira has garnered a reputation for its natural beauty, ideal for adventurous types that love hiking and exploring remote coves.

However, just because you have a taste for adventure doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice on luxury accommodation. Stay at The Cliff Bay Hotel, a five-star resort perched high on a peninsula, just outside the capital Funchal. On arrival, head to the ocean-facing spa where a couple’s massage in a private gazebo will soothe any sore muscles. Come nightfall, treat yourself to a meal at the onsite two Michelin star restaurant, Gallo d’Oro, which serves artfully-presented Mediterranean and Iberian-style dishes. Book early with Indulgent Escapes to secure a great deal**, and the cost of your trip can be spread over the coming months.

Simon Calder’s Luxe travel tips

Show all 5

Honeymoons in Ayia Napa promise two things: sun-soaked beaches by day and vibrant partying by night. Once a former fishing village, this Cypriot resort town is now host to a slew of luxury hotels, punctuated by palm-lined promenades and turquoise lagoons.

For the ultimate postnuptial getaway, reserve a suite at the five-star Amanti hotel. While the pristine Pantachou beach might look tempting, inside the hotel grounds, you’ll find two glistening outdoor pools as well as the impressive Evera Spa, complete with sauna and steam rooms. Don’t forget to reserve a table at open-air restaurant, Immenso, where the menu has been crafted under Michelin-starred chef Theodor Falser. With Indulgent Escapes, you’ll get your hotel, return flights, private transfers and 25kg baggage all included in one smooth booking, and you can spread the cost of your holiday with flexible monthly payments.**

Mile-long sandy beaches, sprawling golf courses and decadent resorts are just a few of the reasons why travellers return time and again to Tenerife’s Costa Adeje. Beyond the bougainvillaea-lined promenade, you’ll find a surprisingly innovative culinary scene – there are five Michelin-starred restaurants on the island – as well as opportunities for sea kayaking excursions and snorkelling with turtles.

Looking for some well-deserved R&R? The Gran Tacande hotel is practically a temple of wellness. Just step inside the Vitanova Spa and you’ll find a luxurious thermal seawater circuit, featuring hydrotherapy pools, sauna, salt cabin and an outdoor hot tub. Don’t leave without trying a Shiatsu massage, designed to reduce tension through acupressure points. If you really want to impress your other half, book a swim-up room, complete with your own private pool. Plus with Indulgent Escapes you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re booked with Which? Travel Brand of the Year 2022 and Tripadvisor’s Best UK Airline for a smooth trip from start to finish.

Jet2holidays offers an incredible range of great-value getaways for all types of travellers, across stunning European destinations. From the affordable luxury of Indulgent Escapes® by Jet2holidays® to the compelling cities of Jet2CityBreaks, VIBE by Jet2holidays stays that suit your style to family-friendly Jet2Villas, the boxes are ticked for every age, budget and interest. What’s more, with holidays secured with a low £60pp deposit*** and the Pay Monthly** option, plus a host of perks like 22kg baggage and return transfers included†, it’s easy from start to finish. It’s all ABTA and ATOL-protected too. To find out more about how to book, head here

*Excludes champagne which is payable. One drink per person, per flight. T&Cs apply. **Terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.jet2holidays.com/part-payment for details.***On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. †Transfers are not included as standard on Jet2CityBreaks. Jet2Villas packages include car hire.