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 £106 a night over 2006.

Britain was also the only country in Europe to top £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 UK’s major cities was seen in Aberdeen, where prices paid rose by more than a third (34%) to £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 £98.

Bath (at £117 per night on average) has maintained its position as the most expensive major UK city – 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 £115 per night, while in the university city it was £113. 

Meanwhile, Coventry became the cheapest city in the UK in 2007, at an average of just £57 per night – a fall of 16% on 2006.

Southampton saw prices drop by 12%, making it one of the cheapest cities for hotels at £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 (£98).

Liverpool, the European city of culture, also experienced price rises of 9%, and at an average of £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: “Whilst Bath’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. 

“In the past, limited supply has made for an expensive night’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.  

“The increase in London rates continues a trend we’ve seen over the last four years, and reflects both rising visitor numbers and rising property prices in the capital.  

“It’s still possible to find competitively priced accommodation, but the combination of strong demand and limited supply is making this more difficult.

“It is also interesting to see Aberdeen and Inverness experience such large price rises in 2007.  

“Scotland is fast becoming a destination of choice for luxury leisure travellers, and this, along with Aberdeen’s status as an important business centre, is being reflected in the rising prices people are paying for hotel rooms.”

Average prices and changes: major UK cities in 2007

*See previous TravelMole story.

by Phil Davies

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