February 2011 trivago Hotel Price Index (tHPI) — Photo by trivago

In February, overnight costs rose 8% across the United Kingdom, but as much as 28% in certain cities. Nevertheless, a comparison with figures for February 2010 show steady prices. In Europe, Geneva and Oslo are the most expensive cities, while Budapest offers travellers the cheapest average rates. These are the findings of the trivago Hotel Price Index (tHPI) prepared each month by the hotel price comparison website www.trivago.co.uk.

London, The average cost for a standard double room in Europe has risen to 91 pounds in February – a three percent increase over January 2011. In the UK, however, prices have risen significantly higher, with most major cities experiencing price hikes ranging between 9% and 28%. In comparison to February 2010, however, current prices are very closely aligned, with price variations amounting only to a few percentage points in most of the United Kingdom's largest cities.

UK: Average hotel prices rise 8%, but up to 28% in some cities

Many of the UK's biggest cities experienced rising prices this month, with an average increase of 8% across the country. The capital saw only moderate increases in the cost of overnight accommodation, climbing five percent to 137 pounds per night for a standard double room. Higher increases were to be found in Leeds (73 pounds) and Glasgow (77 pounds), both of which rose 9% in February, while average prices in Manchester (90 pounds) and Newcastle (93 pounds) both rose 11%. Birmingham registered a 17% increase, marking the city's highest point since May 2010. The highest price hikes are to be found in Edinburgh (107 pounds, +22%) and Cardiff (91 pounds, +28%). Conversely, the only cities to experience declines are Blackpool, where prices fell one percent to 61 pounds, and Sheffield, whose average prices have dropped 21 percent to 67 pounds in February, and thereby reaching the city's cheapest prices since May 2010.

UK: Prices steady in comparison to last year

In contrast to last month, where UK accommodation prices were fourteen percent higher year-onyear, February 2011 has seen prices come into line with figures for February 2010. Prices in Blackpool are exactly the same as they were 12 months ago, while the variation is only one percent more in Cardiff and one percent less in Birmingham. Glasgow's overnight costs are only two percent higher in February 2011 then they were in February 2010, while prices in Sheffield are only four percent lower.

The only cities to diverge significantly from last year's figures are London (+14 percent), Liverpool (+14%), Edinburgh (+10%) and Newcastle (+10%). In the opposite direction, overnight costs are nine percent lower in Leeds, and seven percent lower in Bristol.

Europe: Hotels are most expensive in Geneva, cheapest in Budapest

Geneva and Oslo are the most expensive cities in Europe this month. In Geneva, prices have risen to 194 pounds per night, and thus 9 percent more than in January. In Oslo, overnight costs have increased 17% to 149 pounds. Stockholm (138 pounds, +10%) and Milan (127 pounds, +10%) are also among the most expensive European cities this month. More affordable destinations in February are Budapest (52 pounds, -5%), Krakow (53 pounds, -1%) and Prague (58 pounds, -21%). Accommodation costs in the Spanish cities of Seville (65 pounds, 0%) and Granada (59 pounds, +2%) are also well below the European average of 91 pounds. Austrian cities may also be an interesting alternative for travellers; prices have dropped 14% in Salzburg (84 pounds) and 4% in Vienna (87 pounds).

An overview of the average hotel prices in Europe, as well as several graphics and data charts can be found at:

www.trivago.co.uk/hotelprices

The www.trivago.co.uk hotel price index shows the average overnight accommodation prices for the most popular European cities on trivago. Prices for a standard double room are calculated on the basis of 160,000 daily price inquiries for overnight hotel stays generated through the trivago hotel price comparison service. trivago stores all hotel enquiries for each month and therefore gives an overview of hotel accommodation prices for the upcoming month. The tHPI reflects the hotel prices within the European online hotel market: The overnight accommodation prices of 53 online travel agents and hotel chains create the average hotel prices for cities, regions and countries within Europe.

About trivago

trivago is a leading global hotel search platform focused on reshaping the way travelers search for and compare hotels and alternative accommodations. Incorporated in 2005 in Düsseldorf, Germany, the platform allows travelers to make informed decisions by personalizing their hotel search and providing them access to a deep supply of hotel information and prices. trivago enables its advertisers to grow their businesses by providing access to a broad audience of travelers via its websites and apps. As of September 30, 2021, trivago has established 54 localized platforms connected to over 5.0 million hotels and alternative accommodations, in over 190 countries.

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