Hotel rates have risen in more than 30 key European cities, with the weak pound hitting British travellers, a new study shows.
The average price of overnight accommodation has risen from €114, £95, in September to €118, £103, in October, according to hotel price comparison site trivago.
This change amounts to 4% for continental Europeans, but a weak exchange rate has exacerbated the problem for British travellers.
The falling pound-euro exchange rate, 0.8735 pounds to the euro, compared to last month’s 0.8328, means that European hotel prices are actually 8% higher for British travellers heading to other parts of Europe, the trivago Hotel Price Index shows.
Prices rose in 32 of the 50 most popular cities in the index with destinations such as Paris, £153, Vienna, £120, and Istanbul, £121, at their highest point since January.
However, travellers can benefit from lower rates in countries such as Greece, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and Malta.
The average European hotel price is £109, according to the survey. Traditionally expensive cities like Milan and Copenhagen have fallen 20% and 14% respectively compared to October 2009.
Brussels, £95, saw a reduction of 22%, while Athens, £89, saw prices decline 15% from last year.
Eastern European destinations are also more affordable with overnight costs down 12% in Budapest, £67, 25% in Bucharest, £67, and 26% in Sofia, £66.
Travellers looking for affordable last minute holidays should consider Crete, where an overnight stay in a standard double room is down 26% from last month to £70.
Hotels in the Portuguese Algarve are down 39% to an average of £62 over September.
Destinations in Turkey are also offering lower rates with travellers to Side paying 23% less at £67, while visitors to Alanya can expect prices 34% lower at £54.
Average prices for Playa de Palma in Majorca are £70, while Playa d’en Bossa in Ibiza is seeing rates of £50.
Malta – host of next week’s Travel Convention, is also experiencing reduced accommodation costs, at £79 per night – 26% lower in comparison to September.
UK hotel prices are less stable with price hikes and declines to be found in many major cities.
Prices in London rebounded after a two month decline, rising 11% to £142 per night.
In Blackpool, overnight costs rose 20% to £79 – the city’s highest point since April.
Both Sheffield and Leeds are also at their highest point since the beginning of the year, reporting increases of 18% and 12% to £80 and £86 respectively.
“These spikes in price may be partly attributable to the October half-term holidays, which usually precipitate a surge in holiday bookings and inter-city travel, the study said.
“Nevertheless, several cities experienced dips in accommodation prices. A 10% drop in Edinburgh brings the city-wide average down to £108, which is the city’s lowest point since March 2010.”
Lower overnight costs can also to be found in Liverpool, down by 22% to £85, which after a significant price climb last month is now back in its customary price range.