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Hotel prices in Europe have dropped for the first time since the beginning of the year. This seems to mark the beginning of a price stabilisation, following an uninterrupted five month rise in prices since January 2010. In the UK, similar price reductions are to be found, with key cities like London and Birmingham falling 12% and 19%. These are the findings of the trivago Hotel Price Index (tHPI), which is published monthly by the hotel price comparison site www.trivago.co.uk.

London, 10 June 2010. In June, the price of an overnight stay in a standard double room in Europe fell to 97 pounds. This represents a drop of six percent in comparison to last month’s average of 103 pounds, and arrives just in time for the beginning of the summer travel season. In 38 of the 50 cities listed in the tHPI for June, prices fell or remained steady, suggesting that hotel prices are beginning to stabilise after a prolonged trend of rising prices in 2010.

For an overview of the average hotel prices in Europe, as well as graphics and data charts for the past few months, visit www.trivago.co.uk/hotelprices or subscribe to the monthly trivago price index by emailing thpi@trivago.com

Images courtesy of Derek Moore (All Rights Reserved)

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The ash cloud caused by the eruption of Mt. Eyjafjallajokul in Iceland not only grounded European air travel for days on end, but also triggered a drastic price hike in many of Europe’s affected cities. Overnight guests were faced with price increases of up to 91 percent in Milan and 49 percent in London. These are the findings of a study by hotel price comparison site www.trivago.co.uk, based on a comparison of hotel prices now and prior to the eruption.

London, 22 April 2010. While airplanes remained grounded for the past week as a result of the unexpected eruption of Mt. Eyjafjallajokul in Iceland, hotel prices reached a new peak. Hotel price comparison site www.trivago.co.uk investigated the change in overnight accommodation prices by examining the prices during the week of April 15 to 22, when the flight embargo was in force, and comparing these results with the findings of the trivago Hotel Price Index for April. The conclusions are undeniable – significant price hikes in Europe’s major cities during the flight interdiction. In Milan, which also hosted the Football Championship League Semi-Finals on April 20, average room prices soared to 200 pounds – a 91 percent increase over the previously reported April average of 105 pounds. An overnight stay in London during the airline grounding averaged out to 205 pounds a night; compared to April’s expected average of 138 pounds, this represents a climb of 49 percent.
Other European cities were also affected by this sudden change. Stranded travelers in Berlin faced surcharges of 63 percent, seeing prices rise from 84 pounds at the beginning of the month to 137 pounds. In Amsterdam, the cost of a standard double room rose 26 percent from 133 pounds in early April to 167 pounds this week. Hoteliers in Madrid raised prices 46 percent as a result of the travel crisis, while their counterparts in Barcelona increased room costs by 13 percent from 127 pounds to 143 pounds. Those travelling or trapped in Paris were also forced to dig deep into their pockets – room prices rose by 27 percent, from 138 pounds at the beginning of the month to 175 pounds.
The prices and analysis are based on www.trivago.co.uk’s hotel price index. The results of the April tHPI were used in comparison with prices taken during the period of April 15 to 22, when the air travel was banned. The tHPI 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.

1. A graphic of the price change in key European cities as a result of the air embargo:
http://imgpe.trivago.com/contentimages/press/images/volcano_prices.pdf
2. An overview of the average overnight accommodation prices in April 2010, prior to the volcano’s eruption, for the top 50 European cities listed in the tHPI can be found here:
http://imgpe.trivago.com/contentimages/press/texts/thpi_0410_chart.pdf

About trivago:
Travellers find the ideal hotel for the best rate on trivago. The online service compares the hotel rates of 53 booking sites for 400,000 hotels worldwide. In addition, trivago has integrated over 15 million hotel reviews and shows the overall rating for each hotel. trivago does not just compare the prices of online hotel booking sites, but also the rates. Users can see whether breakfast is included, if any cancellation fees apply, and whether payment by credit card is available. trivago has the first “Freestyle” metasearch engine: travellers are able to search by holiday region, city or hotel name. With its headquarters in Dusseldorf, Germany, trivago was founded in 2005 and currently operates 21 international country platforms.

For Valentine’s Day 2010, the hotel price comparison site www.trivago.co.uk has brought together a list of the top ten most individual and romantic hotels in Europe.

London, 4th February 2010. Every year couples exchange gifts such as flowers and chocolates on Valentine’s Day. Those who want to impress their beloved one, offer an unforgettable romantic weekend getaway instead. trivago has prepared a selection of the cosiest romantic hotels. Whether a small luxury hotel right next to Buckingham Palace, a restored millhouse in the French Dordogne, or a quaint hotel overlooking the Italian Umbria – these hotels guarantee special quality time together.

Here are the top ten hotels that offer a very special atmosphere and have very good reviews from travellers:

Santini Residence, Prague
The elegant Santini Residence offers nine spacious suites, where couples can enjoy hours of leisure time together. Some rooms have a special highlight: Ornate ceiling paintings that attract the attention of all visitors. Located in the middle of the historical centre of Prague, the luxurious hotel is an ideal base for exploring the capital of the Czech Republic. The Prague Castle and Charles Bridge are easily accessible. In the evening, guests can relax with a glass of red wine in soft lighting and with musical accompaniment on the cosy sofas in the hotel lounge.

Photos Santini Residence, Prague
View of the town hall
View of the entrance of the hotel
View of a room with artistic ceiling paintings
View of the Santini Residence restaurant

Hotel 41, London
Guests at Hotel 41 are located in the neighbourhood of the Queen: The luxurious city hotel can be found behind Buckingham Palace. In a quiet and exclusive location, the hotel welcomes its guests with the flair of a traditional London club. In the tastefully decorated lounge with chandeliers and antique furniture, couples can enjoy their afternoon tea in an elegant atmosphere. After a stroll over the Tower Bridge and through the streets of the bustling capital, comfortable and stylish rooms await the guests of the hotel.

Photos Hotel 41, London
View of the stylish entrance
One of the most romantic suties at the Hotel 41
Sleeping under the stars in one of the rooms at Hotel 41

Hotel Gródek, Krakow
The Gródek hotel is tucked away in a small side street in the historical centre of Krakow. The 23 guest rooms are individually furnished with a great attention to detail. From here, guests can embark on a journey into the past. The popular “Kings Way” takes travellers past the memorial of the Battle of Tannenberg, a large gothic tower and the medieval marketplace. Only two minutes separate this area from the charming city hotel. In the intimate atmosphere of the hotel restaurant, guests can enjoy the evening with a romantic candle-lit dinner.

Photos Hotel Gródek, Krakow
Exterior view of the hotel in atmospheric lighting
View of the cosy rooms at Hotel Gródek
The fireplace room in the hotel

Villa Contessa, Bad Saarow
The Villa Contessa is located in Bad Saarow on Lake Scharmutzelsee in Brandenburg and is only around one hour’s drive from Berlin. Located in picturesque natural surroundings, this small hotel is home to eight mundane and lovingly decorated rooms. Highlight for lovers: The Rose Spa Suite with a private bio-infrared sauna and a four-poster bed. Guests who book the luxury suite can enjoy the hotels award-winning cuisine in private on the lakeside terrace. Couples can spend time on a romantic carriage ride, in popular thermal baths or on a boat trip on the lake.

Photos Villa Contessa, Bad Saarow
Exterior view of Villa Contessa
The elegantly decorated lobby at Villa Contessa
View of the spa area in the hotel
View of a romantic suite in the Villa Contessa

Moulin d’Abbaye, Brantome (France)
Moulin d’Abbaye is located in the charming market town Brantome in a restored mill house on the tranquil River Dronne. The rooms are all named after the Bordeaux grands crus and decorated with a meticulous attention to detail. In the small town in Dordogne there is a lot to see: a well-preserved medieval city, ruin and Gothic facades on the Rue Joussen. After a leisurely stroll through the city, travellers can enjoy a romantic dinner in the hotel’s restaurant and become enchanted by the magic of this hotel.

Photos Moulin d’Abbaye, Brantôme
Exterior of the Hotel Moulin d’Abbaye, a former mill house
View into the lounge of the hotel
The bar at Moulin d‘Abbaye
View from the terrace of the restaurant on a bridge over the Dronne

Amfitriti Paradosiakos Xenonas, Nafplio (Greece)
The Amfitriti Paradosiakos Xenonas is a small and elegant hotel in the beautiful port town Nafplio. Each of its five rooms is individually decorated in a particular colour. Handmade carpets and antique furniture give the rooms a romantic historical feeling, without losing the modern day comforts. With a view of the sea from the breakfast terrace, guests can begin their day on the Peleponnes. Lovers of Greek mythology also have a lot to explore, with the archaeological sites of Epidauros and Mykene nearby.

Photos Amfitriti Paradosiakos Xenonas, Nafplio (Greece)
The colourful facade of the hotel
View of the stylish bar
View of the individual rooms of the hotel
View from the terrace of the bar of the sea

Hotel The Pand, Bruges
The first-class hotel The Pand is located in the centre of Bruges. Decorated with numerous works of art, antiques and rich fabrics, guests are surrounded by luxury. A boat trip on the “Reien”, the canalsof Bruges, is a must on a visit to the city in Flanders. Under picturesque bridges there is a lot to discover along the banks: Hidden gardens, artistic facades and medieval houses. Travellers can also spend the day by the open fireplace in the library of The Pand.

Photos The Pand, Bruges
View of the luxurious suites with four-poster beds in the hotel The Pand
View of the stylish lounge of the hotel
The tranquil courtyard of The Pand

Il Cantico della Natura, Magione (Italy)
Il Cantico della Natura is built out of massive stones from the 16th Century and is home to twelve rooms and suites. Surrounded by olive trees guests have a breathtaking view of Lake Trasimeno. The ooms are cosy and are individually decorated with fine furniture. In the Jacuzzi or the sauna, lovers can take advantage of the “dolce vita”. For adventure seekers, the hotel regularly organises various activities such as sailing, mountain biking or cooking classes, in which fresh ingredients from the Umbrian region are used.

Photos Il Cantico della Natura, Magione
Exterior view of Il Cantico della Natura
View of the pool
The cosy restaurant
View of the romantic suites in Il Cantico della Natura

Villa Carona, Carona (Switzerland)
In Ticino, in the south of Switzerland, Villa Carona can be found in the artistic village of Carona. In the two hundred year old Patrician House, the hotel has 18 individually designed rooms. At this family run inn, rest and recreation are in the foreground. In particular, the gardens of the house are a little paradise: Here guests can have a breakfast with a view of Monte Generoso before they go on the popular hike from Carona to the picturesque village of Morcote.

Photos Villa Carona, Ticino
Exterior view of Villa Carona
The romantic hotel restaurant
A cosy retreat in the hotel drawing room
View of one of the most elaborately designed rooms

Ca‘n Simó, Alcudia (Majorca)
The small family-run hotel Ca‘n Simó with only seven rooms is situated between the bay of Alcudia and Pollensa. In traditional Majorcan architecture, guests can enjoy the amenities of modern luxuryaway from the tourist hustle and bustle of Majorca. The area around the lively town of Alcudia is also a place for peace-seekers: Whether a romantic walk on the beach, a tour of the nearby golf course or an excursion to the dragon caves of Porto Cristo. After an exciting day on the Balearic Island, guests can relax in the hotel whirlpool or sauna.

Photos Ca’n Simó, Majorca
The pools of the Hotel Ca’n Simó
Glimpse into the romantic Majorcan designed rooms

Courtesy of: trivago

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tHPI December: Hotel rates continue to fall in December

European hotel prices are eight percent less than December 2008. In comparison to the previous month, overnight accommodation prices have decreased by four percent. In the United Kingdom hotel prices have decreased by 21 percent in Manchester and by 15 percent in Edinburgh in comparison to the previous year.These are the findings of the trivago Hotel Price Index (tHPI) which is published monthly by the hotel price comparison site www.trivago.co.uk.London, 9th December 2009. The price for a standard double room continues to decrease in the majority of popular European cities. The current tHPI for December shows the average price for a hotel is four percent less than the previous month and eight percent less than this time last year. Copenhagen goes against the trend; average hotel prices have increased by 21 percent in comparison to November 2009, due to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December.