12 March 2008

UK hotels 'most expensive in Europe'

The UK became the most expensive country in Europe for hotel stays last year as prices rose by 12% to an average of Ã&#pound;106 a night over 2006.

Britain was also the only country in Europe to top Ã&#pound;100 for a one night hotel stay, according to the annual Hotel Price Index report by online company Hotels.com.

The steepest rise in the UKââ¬â¢s major cities was seen in Aberdeen, where prices paid rose by more than a third (34%) to Ã&#pound;109 per room per night, making it the fourth most expensive city in the UK in 2007. The report also sees the trend reflected in prices in Inverness (up 21%) to Ã&#pound;98.

Bath (at Ã&#pound;117 per night on average) has maintained its position as the most expensive major UK city ââ¬' despite a fall of 2% in the average prices paid over 12 months.

London and Oxford have edged up on Bath with rooms in the capital costing an average of Ã&#pound;115 per night, while in the university city it was Ã&#pound;113. 

Meanwhile, Coventry became the cheapest city in the UK in 2007, at an average of just Ã&#pound;57 per night ââ¬' a fall of 16% on 2006.

Southampton saw prices drop by 12%, making it one of the cheapest cities for hotels at Ã&#pound;84 per night.

Belfast is fast going up in the HPI price league. Following a price rise of 11%, it is now amongst the most expensive cities in the UK (Ã&#pound;98).

Liverpool, the European city of culture, also experienced price rises of 9%, and at an average of Ã&#pound;95 per night, it is in the top ten most expensive cities for hotels in the UK.

Hotels.com senior vice-president David Roche said: ââ¬ÅâœWhilst Bathââ¬â¢s combination of high visitor levels and luxury hotels means that it retains its place as the most expensive city in the UK, our data shows that Oxford and London are catching up fast. 

ââ¬ÅâœIn the past, limited supply has made for an expensive nightââ¬â¢s stay in the university city, and although a number of new hotels have been developed, these higher star rating properties have kept the average price growing along with interest from visitors.  

ââ¬ÅâœThe increase in London rates continues a trend weââ¬â¢ve seen over the last four years, and reflects both rising visitor numbers and rising property prices in the capital.  

ââ¬ÅâœItââ¬â¢s still possible to find competitively priced accommodation, but the combination of strong demand and limited supply is making this more difficult.

ââ¬ÅâœIt is also interesting to see Aberdeen and Inverness experience such large price rises in 2007.  

ââ¬ÅâœScotland is fast becoming a destination of choice for luxury leisure travellers, and this, along with Aberdeenââ¬â¢s status as an important business centre, is being reflected in the rising prices people are paying for hotel rooms.ââ¬~

Average prices and changes: major UK cities in 2007

*See previous TravelMole story.

by Phil Davies

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• Methodolody
  
  

  To Answer David Else: They are averages per room per night for all rooms booked. In practice most hotel rooms are twins/doubles and are charged per room.

  By Patrik Oqvist, Tuesday, April 1, 2008
• The most expensive and the worst quality
  
  

  Honestly, I don't know what hotel managers do with money! there is like a gap between the price of room, very high, and the quality service is crap with really desmotivated staff and very very low salaries and there is no such a big difference in salary whether you work for a big chain or any other hotel.

  By Jesus Ahumada Gonzalez, Thursday, March 13, 2008
• room rates
  
  

  Are these average per-room prices for single or double/twin rooms?

  By David Else, Wednesday, March 12, 2008