PAYING THROUGHT THE NOSE...FOR A ROOM

Britain has the most expensive hotels in Europe, with London boasting the fifth-dearest accommodation in the world, according to a new survey. A very expensive transaction Average costs rose by 12% last year compared with 2006, taking a one-night stay in the UK to £106, the index compiled by Hotels.com showed.

Bath was the most expensive place (£117 for one night), followed by London (£115), Oxford (£113) and Aberdeen, where the price rose 34% to £109. Edinburgh (£103 per night) also had hotels above the £100-a-night mark. The cheapest major location in which to stay last year was Coventry (£57 a night). Hotel.com's report also showed that, of major world cities, London was the fifth most expensive for a one-night stay.

The only ones dearer than the English capital last year were Moscow (£194 a night), New York (£143), and Dubai and Venice (both £125). Edinburgh's £103-per-night average put the Scottish capital in ninth place in the world table. Globally, hotel rates fell by 0.4% in 2007, but those in European hotels rose by 4.5% and Asian establishments were 3.3% pricier.

But while New York hotels remained dear last year, prices on average in the US dipped by 2.2% compared to 2006. Hotels.com Europe vice president David Roche said: "The increase in London rates continues a trend we've seen over the last four years, and reflects both rising visitor numbers and rising property prices in the capital."