Want to get away? Hotel prices are down!

Sunday, 14 December 2008

The weather is cold and the economy is gloomy; the nights are long and the pound is falling. There seems precious little good news about; there’s not much to warm our hearts.

It’s just the time of year when those who can afford might like to take a week or two in warmer climes. The elderly, possibly with a little cash reserve, and not tied to anything like school holidays, especially like to get away from the doom, gloom, cold and dark at this time of year. However, with the pound falling, even that pleasure may seem further away.

Well, here’s the good news! Both UK and global hotel prices have fallen recently – for the first time in four years. So reports booking agent Hotels.com, who compile a comprehensive index.

Year-on-year, UK hotel prices fell by 4% in quarter three of 2008, and international hotel prices were down by 3%. The fact is that hoteliers are feeling the economic pinch just like everyone else, and they are trying to attract visitors with cheap deals.

It is, however, a sad fact that the overseas discounts are outweighed by the sinking pound, but maybe we should be thankful for small mercies.

If you are happy to stay in the UK – and simply get away from home to take a break – then you can get the best of falling hotel prices. Hotel prices in Scotland have seen the biggest falls. For example, rates in Inverness have fallen by 15% to an average of £94. Across the whole of the UK, hotel prices were down from an average of £101 in quarter three 2007 to £97 in the same quarter this year. The most expensive place to stay was Bath, at an average of £142, but for the cheapest get-away, go to Nottingham where the price averaged just £65.

David Roche, president of Hotels.com Worldwide, said that there were great deals to be had across the UK, with more affordable accommodation on offer.

Around the world, the picture has been very similar. In the US there was an average fall of 5%, and Las Vegas hotel prices were down by 20% - how about that for a get-away destination at this time of year?

Some hotel prices in Europe actually went up in the third quarter, but Mr Roche said that European prices are now starting to come down, with more good deals becoming available.

The most expensive destination was Moscow (average £207), and the cheapest was Las Vegas (£58). Take your pick!

For specialised over 50s travel visit Saga Holidays

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