by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
London, UK, December 30, 2011: New Year’s Eve revelers who want to kiss 2011 goodbye along the River Thames better get their checkbooks ready and kiss a lot of money good bye too if they wish to stay in a London hotel, even one of the “seedier” ones, for the night.
According to new analysis compiled by CheapHotels.org, if they don’t have a London hotel room yet, one could cost them up to 600% more than usual this December 31.
The Acropolis Hotel in the Hammersmith neighborhood of London has jacked up its rates by 635%.
In the British capital, being late to the New Year’s Eve party won’t bar celebrators from enjoying the holiday festivities. They can still score a room at one of the fewer than 10% of London hotels that are still posting vacancies.
Their last-minute requests, however, will be met with huge price increases.
On average, a currently available hotel room in London for the night of December 31 into January 1st will cost guests 115% more than the regular rate, the survey reveals. At some establishments in the city, though, they’ll pay substantially more than that.
Overnight rates at the Kensington West Hotel, for instance, have skyrocketed by 533% this New Year’s Eve. Typically a room in this 2.5-star accommodation costs £71, but come December 31, that price will soar to £450. The 2-star Acropolis Hotel in the Hammersmith neighborhood of London has jacked up its rates (£390 versus the usual £53) by an even higher percentage. That increase represents a 635% rate hike.
Deal seekers had better be prepared to venture outside London. Inside the city, no rooms are going for less than £150 … and that’s only in the less trendy neighborhoods. To stay in the most attractive London locales (the West End, Knightsbridge, Chelsea and Westminster), they’ll have to shell out £250 or more for one night in a hotel room.
It is still possible to secure a room for below £200 elsewhere within the city confines. Earl's Court, Paddington and areas close to the Excel Exhibition Center in the east end of London are all still offering such rates.
Budget travelers can still get their hands on more affordable accommodations as well. Rooms on the outskirts near Heathrow Airport are going for below £75. From there, the Piccadilly Line of the tube will get them to the central London celebration in under an hour.
As both buses and tubes are free on New Year's Eve until the early hours – I believe it is 5am or such – there is no reason for anyone staying in any of those overpriced places that have decided to rip off visitors to London for the New Year's celebrations.
Another alternative is: Stay away from London and don't give them the benefit of your custom. It's that easy. Such a price hikes really should be given the only answer it deserves; no takers, despite the fact that it is said that it is all a case of supply and demand.
For more information about this survey, visit http://www.cheaphotels.org/press/new-years-eve-london-2011.html
© 2011
Disclosure & Disclaimer Statement: The GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW received no compensation for any component of this article.
This article is for your information only and the GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW does not (necessarily) approve, endorse or recommend the product, service or company mentioned.
