Celebrity getaways are all about no-holds-barred extravagance. While you might not have the funds to book out the penthouse suite, you can get close to the same experience with a little creative thinking. We take a look at where the rich and famous have jetted off to recently and recommend how you can do the same, without spending megabucks.

If you haven’t been to Los Cabos can you even call yourself a celebrity? The Mexican resorts of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo – known collectively as Los Cabos – on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula are the go-to place for well-heeled Americans wanting to party and pamper themselves. Gwyneth Paltrow flew her girl crew here for her bachelorette party, staying at the uber-luxe Four Seasons, while Chrissy Teigen and John Legend celebrated Teigen's 33rd birthday in the area in December.

Eschew the grandiose beachside resorts and their gargantuan room rates, and seek lodgings in the charming town of San José del Cabo instead. Set in the heart of the old town, characterful guesthouse Casa Natalia has lovely rooms where you’ll get change from £200 ($260). Breakfasts are delivered to guests’ private terraces and restaurant Mi Cocina's authetic Bajan food is a high point of a stay. 

 

Surrounded by rolling vineyards with dreamy lake views and an out-of-this-world spa, where better place for a top sports star to relax than the L'Albereta? Serena Williams stayed at the exclusive Relais & Châteaux hotel near Lake Iseo with her husband last summer. She no doubt made use of its fabulous Espace Chenot spa, renowned for its state-of-the-art equipment and wellness programmes.

In a comment on another picture on the tennis star's Instagram account, Serena wrote that she could see the stars from her bed in L'Albereta. The ceiling in the hotel’s premium Cabriolet Suite opens to reveal the stars at the touch of a button. While that room might be out of shot for non-tennis pros, you can stay in a superior room at the sophisticated hotel for around £210 ($273) a night.

Skiathos is a regular haunt of Kate Hudson and family, who enjoy annual visits to the picturesque Greek isle, according to the actor’s Instagram posts. Various candid shots show herself, partner and children, along with her superstar parents Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, enjoying the gorgeous water and tavernas of Skiathos last summer. One caption read: “Lalaria: Every year we come to swim in her beautiful water. She never lets us down.”

You can style it out on the stunning Sporades island by checking into new stylish beachside resort Elivi Skiathos, set on the southwestern peninsula. It’s pricey but not ridiculously so with standard rooms from around £150 ($195). Or save your bucks and opt for the more modest but perfectly charming Bourtzi Boutique Hotel in the centre of Skiathos Town. It has rooms from around £90 ($117). 

Roatán in Honduras' Bay Islands is as idyllic as island getaways get. Hollywood power couple Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas headed to the little-known Caribbean isle to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their children. While it’s not known where they stayed, the island has plenty of exclusive villas and a cluster of luxury resorts and hotels set on private beaches.

You don't need to be a mega-star to holiday in Roatán, however. A visit here is all about lazing on beaches, snorkelling, diving and relaxing boat trips to off-lying isles. You can enjoy a barefoot-chic vibe, without bankrupting yourself, by booking into The Beach House on Half Moon Bay in the West End. The family-run boutique hotel has nine lovely suites, that can be yours for around £90 ($117) per night. The hotel’s bar, set on a private dock, is in a prime position for sunset gazing.

Actor and model Liz Hurley and son saw in his 17th birthday on a retreat at the zen-like Ananada, a destination wellness and spa hotel in the foothills of the Himalayas. A former Maharajah palace, the Ananda is renowned for stunning views of the Ganges valley, serene gardens and an incredible spa, offering all manner of treatments and classes, in lavish surroundings. With rooms starting at around £700 ($912) per night, it must have been a celebration and a half.

While a yoga retreat at the exclusive Ananda might be a stretch too far, there are other places to stay in the beautiful Uttarakhand region where you can join yoga and meditation sessions or go trekking into the Himalayan foothills. For an affordable holistic wellness break, try AyurVAID Kalmatia. It offers a range of Ayurvedic treatments and has a lovely hilltop setting with Himalaya views. For yoga classes, book into Sanskriti Vedic Retreat on the banks of the Ganges.

With its beautiful beaches, lush and mountainous hinterland and fascinating culture, Bali is a hugely desirable destination. It's quite the place to be and be seen right now with all manner of celebs spotted hanging out on the Indonesian island recently. The Kardashian clan and entourage visited Bali once again in April. They had plenty of super-luxe resorts to choose from, but this time, Kim, Khloé, Kourtney and their families stayed in private villas at supremely lavish Soori Bali in the southwest of the island.

You don’t need to be a millionaire to feel like one in this tropical paradise, however, with plenty of affordable private villas and beach resorts for non-celeb budgets. You can bag your own villa with private beach access at Gajah Mina Beach Resort, a 12-villa resort set within lovely tropical gardens. The family-run boutique hotel is on the west coast and set between verdant paddy fields and the Pacific ocean. Three top surf beaches are a short walk away. Villas start at around £90 ($117).

You know it must be a pretty special spot when well-travelled actor and lifestyle guru Gwyneth Paltrow declares somewhere “one of the nicest properties I have ever been to in my life”. After a recent stay at Blackberry Mountain, Paltrow raved about its incredible food, wellness programming and secret woodland swing on her Instagram account. The newly-opened exclusive retreat is a sister resort to renowned Blackberry Farm, also in eastern Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains.

You might not rub shoulders with Hollywood A-listers on a country retreat but you can carve out your own slice of rustic-chic cabin life in the Smokies by hiring a log cabin. Positioned on a hill, three miles from Gatlinburg, gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this Airbnb property comes complete with hot tub overlooking the mountains and open fire to curl up next to. Prices start at £118 ($153) per night.

With its blissful beaches, sparkling waters, world-class golf courses and grandiose resorts, the Bahamas have long lured the rich and famous looking for a glamorous getaway. Reese Witherspoon reportedly spent her birthday on the islands along with family members. She shared snaps on her Instagram that were taken in the secluded Abacos islands, including one at upscale beach club Treasure Sands Club.

The little-visited Abacos, a 120-mile–long chain of islands and cays, are best explored by boat. It’s relatively inexpensive to hire a motorboat to chug between its dreamy bays and pretty cays, mooring up to explore the coral reefs. Ocean Frontier’s two-bedroom log cabins, set right on the beach, make a wonderful Bahamian base. The relaxed hideaway is on Great Guana Cay where you can snorkel straight off the beach and hire boats to venture further afield.

From Jackie Onassis to Greta Garbo, the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy has lured elite travellers for eons. And it still holds plenty of appeal to today’s celebrities. Last summer, superstars Beyoncé, Jay-Z and children enjoyed a lavish trip in the area aboard mega-yacht the Kismet, which commands a weekly charter fee of £1.1m ($1.4m). It’s not the first time they have holidayed in the area – previous jaunts have taken them to nearby Capri, another island refuge of the rich and famous.

While your holiday budget probably won't stretch to a yacht with its own beauty parlour, multi-level swimming pool and a helipad/basketball court, you can enjoy a scaled-down voyage around the coastline. Take a boat tour from Marina Di Praia or splash out on private charter (from €50/£43/$56 an hour) to discover Amalfi's hidden coves, grottos, ancient watchtowers and the picturesque towns that tumble down the cliff face. And for all-round cheaper rates and less crowds, visit off season. 

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom spent several days exploring the gorgeous island of Kauai in Hawaii last December, reportedly holing up in a luxurious private house with other family members, including their adorable dogs. The loved-up duo were snapped by the press snorkelling, splashing about in the waves, hiking around the lush rainforest and visiting some of its famously stunning nature spots including Wailua Falls.

For a romantic jaunt of your own in the tropical island paradise, you could rent this Airbnb condo on the north shore. It’s an easy walk to two surf beaches and has a lovely lanai (veranda) where you can gaze across jungle and mountains as you share a bottle of wine. Or nip out to gaze at the spectacular sunset over Hanalei Bay views on the other side. Inside, you can cosy up in bed and kick back with a movie.

When it comes to Caribbean hot spots, St Barth’s is about as chi-chi as they get. From Stella McCartney and Bella Hadid to Mariah Carey, a slew of stars have been seen soaking up the rays on the sun-drenched isle. While it’s exclusive, it’s far from flashy. The chic island has nailed the laid-back luxury vibe with its low-key beaches, understated but upscale boutiques, sophisticated French restaurants and secluded private villas, perfect for camera-wary visitors.

Songstress Carey was on the island earlier this year, performing at Nikki Beach’s New Year’s Eve bash. And if it’s people-watching you’re after, this glamorous beach club is the place to go on St Barth’s. Short of splurging on your own gated villa, there are a number of special but affordable places to stay such as Les Ilets de la Plage, a relaxed resort of 12 villas located on the beautiful St Jean Beach. It has one-bed villas from around £200 ($260).

Down-to-earth Australian movie star Hugh Jackman and a friend hit the slopes in the Italian ski resort of Livigno in January. Sharing a selfie, he wrote: “What an amazing visit". The smart but unpretentious resort is renowned for its reliable snow quality and affordability compared to Italy’s many swanky ski resorts. While it’s unspecified where The Greatest Showman star stayed, he did post an image of himself outside Hotel Sonne.

 

Refreshingly, you don’t have to pay top Euros to stay in this charming resort hotel, which has doubles from around £196 ($255) – although we imagine Hugh opted for one of its pricier suites. The family-run boutique hotel has spacious and contemporary rooms, a cosy lounge and delightful little spa where skiers (or hikers) can relax after a day on the slopes. Plus, it’s just steps from a ski lift.

Liv Tyler shared snaps of herself, kids and partner enjoying the stunning sand, turquoise water and yoga in the Maldives. They were staying at Soneva Fushi, a celebrated spot among well-heeled travellers. It doesn’t come much more exclusive than this private island hideway which offers pretty much every bucket-list experience imaginable: champagne picnics, star gazing in a private observatory, swimming with manta rays, watching dolphins on a sunset cruise and more.

For luxury with leaner prices and a more laid-back vibe, make a move to Kandima Maldives on the Dhaalu Atoll instead. With the longest swimming pool in the Maldives, a huge kids club, 10 restaurants and bars, and indulgent spa, this is a one-stop-shop for a blow-out holiday. It’s still going to be an expensive trip all-in, this is the Maldives after all, but with studios from £140 ($182) for half-board, this fun-loving resort is pretty good value.

Lupita Nyong'o recently posted an image of herself indulging in some serious rest and relaxation at uber-spa and retreat Mii amo in Sedona, Arizona. Billing itself as "intimate, exclusive, extraordinary”, the top-end resort offers a range of packages for affluent guests wishing to recharge, renew or rejuvenate. Accommodation is luxurious, naturally, and the celebrated café serves gourmet, health-conscious cuisine.

With its striking sandstone rock formations, alleged powerful energy and community of alternative healers, Sedona has long been a haven for those looking for a spiritual retreat. Mii amo might not be in your price range but the Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa could be. It has rooms from around £115 ($150) and offers daily yoga sessions. Or to really revel in Sedona’s natural beauty and disconnect from the outside world, there are inexpensive and remote cabins to rent. Discover more remote spots in the USA to get away from it all here.

Luxury country house hotel Heckfield Place recently hosted royalty as The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent their babymoon at the sprawling Hampshire estate. According to reports, the royal couple stayed in the Long Room – a lavish private apartment that costs £10,000 ($13k) a night. The hotel’s gorgeous grounds no doubt offered plenty of opportunities for the expectant parents to enjoy secluded woodland strolls and pre-parenthood chats. 

The grand Georgian mansion, located near the village of Hook, isn't totally off the scale for commoners, however. Heckfield Place has standard rooms starting at £350 ($456) per night. Alternatively, check into a cute little Airbnb cottage in nearby village Hartley Witney – complete with traditional butcher, pubs and village green with duck pond. With prices at around £70 ($91) per night, you can splash out on a lavish meal at Heckfield Place where celebrated chef Skye Gyngell oversees a super-seasonal menu. Check out more adorable UK towns and villages here.

Make like the Beckhams and put the relatively undiscovered Indonesia isle of Sumba on your holiday hit-list. The trendsetting Beckham clan reportedly stayed on the island, which lies east of Bali, last August. They stayed at the £5,000 ($6,500) a night Nihi Sumba resort, a seriously exclusive property on the isle’s southwest coast owned by billionaire businessman Chris Burch. 

Although no whim goes unanswered in this lavish and world-leading retreat, the Nihi Sumba is committed to ethical tourism too, employing locals and encouraging guests to explore Sumba and its fascinating culture. The Beckhams were seen visiting local villages – and David kicked a ball about with some of the children. Mere mortals can stay at Hotel Sumba Nautil Resort in the northwest. It has doubles from around £96 ($125), good facilities and is close to some excellent surf beaches. 

Meandering around the winding roads of Tuscany in a vintage sports car is about as romantic as summer jaunts get. Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake shared pictures of themselves doing just that last summer on their Instagram accounts. The couple were enjoying a European jaunt after Timberlake’s Man of the Woods tour finished.

Tuscany’s bucolic landscape – all rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves – were made for roadtripping. One of the best routes is driving along the Chiantigiana or SR 222 from Florence to Siena, through the rolling hills of Chianti. While the romantic region has some off-the-scale, extravagant places to stay and Michelin stars galore, it’s also packed with charming and budget-friendly wineries and agriturismo. Try Castello di Tornano in Gaiole which has rooms from £75 ($98).

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Mexico’s Hotel Esencia exudes star quality. Set on an idyllic beach edged by wilderness, with an organic spa and gourmet restaurant, it combines the best of beach retreat and jungle hideaway. It’s not surprising that the private and super-chic bolthole is a firm favourite with celebrities staying on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Drew Barrymore recently shared a snap of herself reclining on a sun lounger while staying at the dreamy hotel. 

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Mexico’s Caribbean coast is a magnet for A-list fashionistas and celebs – Alexa Chung and Bella Hadid have also been guests at Hotel Escencia, one-time beach villa of an Italian duchess. If you don’t have limitless funds but do have design aspirations, check into the very cool and affordable Casa Pueblo in nearby Tulum. With rooms from £115 ($150), expect contemporary designs and a convivial open-plan restaurant.

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