Most major cities and places like London and Tokyo are very expensive. Per diem does not cover the top hotels who rarely offer U.S. Government rates. You end up staying at 2d or 3d tier hotels that are often run down and not well located. I’m usually lucky to break even and some of the hotels are a legend for what you have to put up with, Seoul comes to mind.
The State Department often waives the per diem rates for their own employees. It’s good to be the king.
>> some of the hotels are a legend for what you have to put up with, Seoul comes to mind. <<
Yeah, I gotta wonder what the per diem rate is for Walker Hill — with or without “escort services.”