London is the most expensive city in Europe in which to book a hotel room, according to new data from online travel agent HRS.

The study, which compared average room rates in the third quarter of 2015 with the same period last year, found that with an average room rate of £140 across one to five-star hotels, London costs £15 more than the second most expensive European capital, Zurich (£125).

Istanbul was found to be the third most expensive city with an average room rate of £110 per night, while Milan enjoyed the biggest room rate increase during the quarter of nearly 20%, with rooms on average costing £90 per night.

In the UK, Edinburgh retained its position as the second most expensive destination in the UK (£116), an increase of 7%.

Bristol emerged as the third most expensive place to stay following an increase of 17%, with an average room costing £96 per night. Cardiff, with an increase of 31%, saw the largest uplift with hotels charging an average £95 per night.

Jon West, managing director of HRS for the UK and Ireland, said: “In Cardiff, major sporting events such as the Rugby World Cup and The Ashes which took place during Q3 2015, will have contributed to the room rate increases as hoteliers capitalise on the surge in demand from visitors.

“Indeed RWC matches played in Cardiff, Gloucester and Exeter could have driven demand for rooms in the area, meaning that Bristol benefited too. This could be one of the reasons why it has moved into the top three most expensive places to stay in the UK.”

He added that, looking at the UK as a whole, room rates are remaining buoyant as business and leisure travellers continue to have a rise in confidence when it comes to spending.

Source: http://www.hotelowner.co.uk/5080-london-hotels-most-expensive-in-europe/