Europe's Most Expensive Cities Just Got Cheaper

DALLAS, July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The beautiful cities of Cannes, Geneva, London, and Paris have two things in common. They were rated the most expensive cities in Europe, according to Hotels.com® 2009 Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®), an annual study on actual prices paid for hotel rooms, and they are some of the most desired cities to visit. With the exchange rate at its lowest since 2005, travelers eyeing a dream vacation can find great deals on Hotels.com to Europe's most extravagant destinations and popular cities where Americans repeatedly flock.

"With the large selection of European hotels on hotels.com, and many offering summer promotions, this is an ideal time to travel abroad," says Taylor L. Cole, APR, director of public relations for Hotels.com. "The Euro is down and the dollar's gaining, so Americans traveling to Europe can get more for their money. Additionally, we're seeing an increase in online searches for travel to Europe which demonstrates that travelers are catching on to the bargains."

Here are some top European cities:

Barcelona, where hotel rooms were down 25% in 2009, has rooms starting now at $73. The four star Hesperia Del Mar is a seven-story modern hotel set on the seafront in Diaganal Mar and is recommended by 100% of past Hotels.com guests. It is also a Price Match Guarantee hotel, where guests are assured they are getting the best deal available online or by speaking directly to a travel expert at 1-800-2-HOTELS 24 hours a day.

Tucked away off the coast, Capri, the little Italian island has become Europe's most expensive destination in 2009 where U.S. travelers paid an average $302 per night. Americans can now find rooms starting at $84 at Hotel Bristol. This boutique hotel boast sweeping sea views and has been highly recommended by all of Hotels.com past guests.

Cannes fell 17% year over year in 2009 and continues the trend well into 2010. In Cannes, room prices start at $127 per room, per night at the four-star Avangani Resort. Situated in a park-like setting overlooking the sea, the hotel's outdoor pool is flanked by palm trees and pines. Guests can find award-winning cuisine at the restaurant on premise. Hotels.com guests paid an average of $235 per room, per night last year.

Dublin now offers even greater savings for those searching to discover the luck of the Irish. Hotels were down 27% last year where the average room rate paid was $122. For a four-star hotel experience, travelers can indulge themselves at the four star Gresham Hotel where rooms start at $93 per room, per night. Sitting in the heart of Dublin, this hotel is close to the Gate Theatre, Garden of Remembrance, and offers a 20% off of all food and beverages to all overnight guests.

The falling prices in Geneva dropped this charming city to the second most expensive European city to stay at in 2009. Prices fell 19% year over year in 2009 where average price of $249 per room, per night was paid. Great deals can now be found starting at the Ramada Park Hotel Geneva with rates starting at $155. A four-star property, the hotel offers a multilingual staff, currency exchange on premise, and is conveniently located near numerous recreational activities such as sailing, golfing, tennis, water skiing and more.

London, the top visited European city by Americans, is offering rates as low as $68 at the Jurys Inn Watford Hotel. Travelers can indulge in a four-star hotel experience by staying at the Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington where room rates start at $150 per night, well below the average 2009 room rate of $185 paid by past Hotels.com guests last year. Room prices were down 18% last year in London.

Paris, the city of lights, was the 2nd most frequented European city by Americans last year and offered rooms at an average of $193 per night. Parisian hotels such as The Modern Hotel now start at $80 per room, per night offering an incredible savings. The property is close to Moulin Rouge, the Louvre, and Basilique du Sacre Coeur.

Travelers looking to experience a bespoke dream vacation to Europe can fund their getaway by entering the Hotels.com "I Need a Vacation" sweepstakes. The grand prize winner will receive a check for $102,250 USD. To enter, contestants can log-on to www.hotels.com/ineedavacation to register. Entries are voted upon after users upload the funniest, most creative photo of themselves which shows why they deserve a lifetime of vacations. Daily winners are also selected from the pool of voters. A sweepstakes winner will be announced in early September.

For more information on the 'I Need A Vacation' sweepstakes, please visit: www.hotels.com/ineedavacation

For images, company snapshots, and more, please click here for the Hotels.com media room

About Hotels.com

Hotels.com® is a leading provider of lodging worldwide, offering more than 85,000 properties in over 60 countries from national chain hotels and all-inclusive resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts. Hotels.com is the smarter way to book travel by offering  welcomerewards®, an industry leading loyalty rewards program; the real opinions of other travelers captured in over 1.5 million Guest Reviews and; a Price Match Guarantee, so that those booking with Hotels.com can be assured they are getting the best deal, either online or by speaking directly to a travel expert at 1-800-2-HOTELS 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit hotels.com. Hotels.com is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE). Please visit the Hotels.com Travel Smart Blog for consumer and business travel information. Follow us on Twitter via www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcom, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hotelsdotcom and take a VirtualVacation at www.virtualvacay.com. Hotels.com, A Smarter Way to Book™.

"I Need A Vacation" Grand Prize: One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive a vacation for life.  The prize will be awarded as a check in the amount of $102,250.  The amount of the prize is calculated based on the assumption that a winner will take fifty (50) vacations worth approximately $2,045 each over the course of a lifetime. See Official Rules for details.

Hotels.com, Hotel Price Index, HPI and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com. Other logos or products and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners © 2010 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. CST # 2083949-50

SOURCE Hotels.com