I soon discovered what I was missing while staying at five-star hotels and resorts. The author on the balcony at The Little Nell hotel in Aspen, Colorado. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderFast-forward six months, I explored three more five-star accommodations during a work trip to Australia and New Zealand. I also stayed two nights at The Darling, a five-star hotel that cost a total of $650. Here are the things I found most surprising about trading cheap motels for five-star luxury hotels.

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Persons: Little Nell, Monica Humphries, prosecco, Nell, Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, Stevie Wonder, you've Locations: Little, Aspen , Colorado, Australia, New Zealand, Auckland , New Zealand, Britomart, Sydney, Crystalbrook Albion, Surry Hills, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Aspen