London Hikes Its Hotel Rates 600% This New Year's Eve
December 30, 2011
New Year's Eve revelers who want to kiss 2011 goodbye along the River Thames better get their checkbooks ready. 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.
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.
The following table shows the ten hotels with the biggest rate increases for New Year's Eve in London.
| Name of Hotel | Stars | Location | Regular Rate | New Year's Eve Rate |
| Kensington West Hotel | 2.5 | Kensignton | £71 | £450 |
| Acropolis Hotel | 2.0 | Hammersmith | £53 | £390 |
| Ascot Hyde Park Hotel | 2.5 | Paddington | £82 | £400 |
| Knightsbridge Green Hotel | 3.5 | Knightsbridge | £97 | £347 |
| Tophams Hotel | 4.0 | The City | £99 | £357 |
| Hilton London Tower Bridge | 4.0 | Southwark | £111 | £358 |
| Express by Holiday Inn Limehouse | 3.0 | Limehouse | £71 | £189 |
| Griffin House Hotel | 2.0 | Paddington | £60 | £160 |
| Danubius Hotel Regents Park | 3.0 | St. John's Wood | £134 | £348 |
| Holiday Inn London Camden Lock | 4.0 | Camden Town | £90 | £229 |
About the survey:
The survey was conducted on December 28, 2011. Available hotels in London and their rates for the cheapest available double room on New Year's Eve were established based on a search of the leading hotel-booking sites: Expedia, Priceline and Laterooms.com. For comparison, the rates for the same rooms from January 7 to 8 were established and determined as “Regular Rates.”
