European hotel rates on the rise

(AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO)

The average hotel price in Europe for a standard double is €102 in February 2010, according to research from price comparison site Trivago.

This is a jump of three percent from December, the first move upwards since September 2009.

Events such as the Venice Carnival and London Fashion Week have pushed prices up in those respective areas, with the price of Venice hotels soaring by 31 percent and London hotels gaining 8 percent on January. Barcelona, Milan and Bologna have also posted double digit increases.

The biggest price fall was in Krakow, which dropped by more than a quarter month-on-month to €56 a night. The best value destinations overall, infact, are still in eastern Europe which has some of the cheapest hotels - prices in Prague and Budapest are €65 and €62 respectively. Budapest hotels declined in price by 14 percent.

The most expensive city destination is Geneva (€185), followed by Venice (€164) and Stockholm (€146).

Europe's Most Expensive Hotels
Data from Trivago

1. Geneva: €185
2. Venice: €164
3. Stockholm: €146
4. London: €141
5. Paris: €132

Website: http://www.trivago.co.uk