Does Boston really have the most expensive hotels in the world?

A new survey found that Boston is the most expensive city in the world to stay overnight in a hotel — ranking it costlier than Paris, Rome and even New York City.

The survey was done by website cheaphotels.org, and ranked 100 cities across the globe by the average cost of the cheapest available double room. The survey only considered only hotels that were centrally located in the city, and had a three-star rating or higher. The average cost was determined by rates in October 2025.

In Boston, cheaphotels.org found that staying over in the city will set you back an average of $375 — enough to top the list of 100 cities. New York City was ranked as the second most expensive, at $338.

The rest of the top five were all in Europe — Zurich, Milan and Paris, which all came in between $250 and $275 per night on average.

Joshua Bowman of Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, said that October is one of the most expensive months to stay in Boston.

He explained that a number of factors to create the sky-high prices this time of year — including parents weekends at the local universities, leaf peeping crowds and the Head of the Charles all contribute to the markups.

New England has plenty to offer when it comes to hotels — and the region is getting plenty of love with Michelin’s new key system. Photo credit: The Inn at Hastings and Anchor Line Partners

“I think the the rates would be very different and the Boston’s ranking would be very different in the doldrums of February,” Bowman said.

The survey noted that October tends to be the most expensive month for hotels in “most cities”, however.

“If you were to look at all the months, you’re gonna see Boston, in terms of rate, being in the top five in the country,” Bowman said. “Boston is an expensive city to get a hotel room, and it’s actually gotten more expensive in the past few years.“

The hospitality expert pointed to the opening of multiple new luxury hotels over recent years, explaining that average daily rates are being pulled higher by the high-end accommodations.

In the hospitality industry, there is more growth concentrated in the luxury market than middle-of-the-road brands, as middle class people are pumping the brakes on travel amid economic uncertainty, Bowman said.

“But the top 10% of earners in the country are still traveling like crazy,” Bowman said.

So, when is a more affordable time to visit Boston?

Bowman said that during months like December, January and February, hotels usually offer great deals and even special incentives for travelers to come during the winter season.

“They make it really cool for you to be there at a time of year when most people are going to Florida or someplace warmer,” Bowman said. “You’ll get upgraded. You might get some perks for just coming.“

You can read the whole survey, and see the entire ranking of 100 cities, on cheaphotels.org.

For our full conversation with Josh Bowman about hotel costs in Boston, watch the player at the top of this story.