From The Straits Times    |

The average price of a hotel room in Europe ticked up by seven euros between February and March, the monthly benchmark of prices compiled by hotel booking site Trivago has shown.

European hotel prices up as spring arrives
Hotel prices in Milan are up

Travelers on the continent will pay an average of €112 for a room, Trivago’s figures showed March 14, a rise from €105 in February and €103 in January.

As the warmer weather moves in, the majority of European destinations saw a price rise, some especially sharp — visit Istanbul this month, for instance, and you’ll pay nearly 30 percent more than in February (€116), in Rome rates are up 23 percent (€128), and visitors to Amsterdam will shell out 18 percent more on average (€136).

Interestingly, traditionally expensive Nordic capitals Oslo (€161), Copenhagen (€130) and Stockholm (€115) are some of very few places experiencing a thaw when it comes to hotel prices, down one percent, three percent and five percent respectively.

Another cheaper option is Venice, where prices have fallen by 11 percent (€155) as the carnival comes to an end — although nearby Milan saw an 18 percent rise to €180.

Europe’s most expensive destinations – March 2012

1. Geneva (€259)
2. London (€183)
3. Milan (€180)
4. Paris (€166)
5. Oslo (€161)
6. Stockholm (€155)

Source: Trivago Hotel Price Index