Hotel rates 'up 69% for Olympics'

Room rates in hotels in the area of the Olympic Park in London have shot up for the Games period, according to a survey.

Average one-night rates in the London postal district E, which covers the Olympic site at Stratford are 69% more during the Olympics than earlier this summer, the survey from TripAdvisor found.

Those wishing to stay in the area will be paying an average £221 (€280) for the period July 20 to August 15 compared with £139 (€176) between June 1 and July 19.

The next biggest increase judged by postcode is in district N where prices have risen 60% to £156 (€198).

The London postcode area with the smallest increase between early summer and the Olympics period is the SW area, where room rates have only risen 19% to £222 (€282).

However, the most expensive rooms during the Olympics are not in east London but in the EC district which covers the City of London. Here, prices have risen 40% to £309 (€392).

TripAdvisor spokeswoman Emma Shaw said: “London hotel prices are generally higher during July and August in any year.

“But with London gearing up for such a significant influx of visitors this summer, some may not be surprised to see spikes as high as 69%.”