SHORT-break customers are choosing more upmarket hotels and staying close to city centres despite the extra cost, according to Travelscene.
A survey carried out by the short-break specialist revealed that 15 of its 20 best-selling properties were rated good quality three star or four star.
Sales director John Harding said customers want to stay near the city centre to avoid the hassle of trooping into town.
“If it’s a choice between central accommodation at a marginally higher price or lower cost which means a lengthy walk into the town centre, clients are invariably choosing the city-centre option,” said Harding. “These days, most customers have taken city breaks before and know how frustrating it can be to spend precious time trekking in and out of the city centre.”
He added however that location in cities with a good transport system, such as Paris, are not so important.
The operator’s four top-selling hotels in 1999 were all in the French capital with the two-star Hotel de Londres et d’Anvers leading the way followed by the three-star Cervantes, two-star Hotel de l’Exposition and three-star Hotel de la Gard du Nord.