Latest data from hotel solutions provider HRS has revealed that the average cost of staying in a hotel room is on the up across most of the world, when looking at Q3 2015 compared with Q3 2014.
With London retaining its position as the UK and Europe’s most expensive capital to stay in at £140 per night, Edinburgh also kept its position as the second most expensive destination in the UK (£116), seeing a moderate increase of 7 per cent in average room rates compared to the same period last year. For the first time, Bristol emerged as the third most expensive place to stay following an increase of 17 per cent compared with the same quarter in 2014, with an average room costing £96 per night. This could possibly be attributed to the instalment of the hugely popular Shaun in the City trail, as well as the internationally renowned Balloon Fiesta that takes place annually.
Cardiff enjoys impact of sport
Meanwhile, with an increase of 31 per cent in room rates per night in Q3 2015 compared with the same quarter in 2014, Cardiff saw the largest uplift with hotels on average charging £95 per night.
Jon West, Managing Director of HRS for the UK and Ireland, said: “In Cardiff, major sporting events such as the Rugby World Cup (RWC) and The Ashes which took place during Q3 2015, will have contributed to the room rate increases as hoteliers capitalise on the surge in demand from visitors. Indeed RWC matches played in Cardiff, Gloucester and Exeter could have driven demand for rooms in the area, meaning that Bristol benefited too. This could be one of the reasons why it has moved into the top three most expensive places to stay in the UK. Looking at the UK as a whole, room rates are remaining buoyant as business and leisure travellers continue to have a rise in confidence when it comes to spending.”
On the Continent
Looking at data for Q3 2015, London saw an increase of over 16 per cent compared with Q3 2014. With average room rates in London now reaching £140 – £15 more per night than the second most expensive European capital, Zurich (£125), Istanbul made a surprise new appearance in the number three spot with an average room rate of £110 per night.
Talking about room rate development on the Continent, Jon said: “In Q3 2014, the outlook for average room rates saw just a two per cent rise across the 21 destinations. However, this year, the picture is certainly changing with an average increase of 9 per cent for the same quarter. The UK meanwhile has seen an average increase of 16 per cent across the nine major cities.”
Finally looking at the international scene, hotel room rates increased across major capital cities globally compared to Q3 2014, reflecting an overall uplift across the global marketplace and showing that consumer confidence is steadily shoring up.
Top UK & Ireland Destinations 1-5***** Hotels
Average room rate for hotel stays in British & Irish cities.
Comparison of average rates, based on non-cancelled bookings. Public and corporate bookings.
Period: 01.07.-30.09.2015. Based on exchange rate from 20.11.15.
| Top Destinations UK & Ireland | Room rate 1*-5***** per night Q3 2015 | Rate development compared to Q3 2014 in % |
| Birmingham | £78 (111 €) | +19.4% |
| Bristol | £96 (137 €) | +17.1% |
| Cardiff | £95 (135 €) | +31.1% |
| Dublin | £85 (121 €) | +11.0% |
| Edinburgh | £116 (166 €) | +9.2% |
| Leeds | £88 (125 €) | +16.8% |
| Liverpool | £78 (111 €) | +6.7% |
| London | £140 (199 €) | + 16.3% |
| Manchester | £90 (128 €) | +17.4% |
Top European Destinations 1-5***** Hotels
Average room rate for hotel stays in European cities.
Comparison of average rates, based on non-cancelled bookings. Public and corporate bookings.
Period: 01.07.-30.09.2015. Based on exchange rate from 20.11.15.
| Top Destinations Europe | Room rate 1*-5***** per night Q3 2015 | Rate development compared to Q3 2014 in % |
| Amsterdam | £95 (136 €) | +8.8% |
| Barcelona | £85 (121 €) | +7.1% |
| Berlin | £66 (94 €) | +4.4% |
| Brussels | £84 (120 €) | +9.1% |
| Budapest | £56 (80 €) | +12.7% |
| Copenhagen | £81 (116 €) | +3.6% |
| Helsinki | £67 (95 €) | +8.0% |
| Istanbul | £110 (157 €) | +10.6% |
| Lisbon | £69 (99 €) | +7.6% |
| London | £140 (199 €) | +17.1% |
| Madrid | £62 (88 €) | -4.3% |
| Milan | £90 (128 €) | +19.6% |
| Moscow | £65 (92 €) | -20.7% |
| Oslo | £83 (119 €) | +6.3% |
| Paris | £95 (135 €) | -1.5% |
| Prague | £49 (70 €) | +1.4% |
| Rome | £69 (99 €) | -1.0% |
| Stockholm | £95 (136 €) | +11.5% |
| Warsaw | £53 (75 €) | +5.6% |
| Vienna | £65 (93 €) | +2.2% |
| Zurich | £125 (178 €) | +17.1% |
Top International Destinations 1-5***** Hotels
Average room rate for hotel stays in international cities.
Comparison of average rates, based on non-cancelled bookings. Public and corporate bookings.
Period: 01.07.-30.09.2015. Based on exchange rate from 20.11.15.
| Top International Destinations | Average room rate 1-5***** per night Q3 2015 | Rate development compared to Q3 2014 in % |
| Bangkok | £53 (76 €) | +33.3% |
| Boston | £193 (275 €) | +34.8% |
| Buenos Aires | £77 (110 €) | +19.6% |
| Cape Town | £62 (89 €) | +14.1% |
| Chicago | £137 (195 €) | +14.7% |
| Dubai | £86 (123 €) | +33.7% |
| Hong Kong | £110 (157 €) | +12.1% |
| Kuala Lumpur | £50 (71 €) | +4.4% |
| Miami | £79 (113 €) | +5.6% |
| Montreal | £85 (121 €) | +12.0% |
| New York | £193 (275 €) | +29.7% |
| Beijing | £62 (88 €) | +29.4% |
| San Francisco | £169 (241 €) | +24.9% |
| Seoul | £91 (130 €) | +6.6% |
| Shanghai | £63 (90 €) | +28.6% |
| Singapore | £121 (172 €) | +11.0% |
| Sydney | £115 (164 €) | +8.6% |
| Tokyo | £122 (174 €) | +34.9% |
| Toronto | £95 (136 €) | +10.6% |
For more information click here
