Travellers from around the world are searching for London hotels in increasing numbers as the Olympic Games draws ever closer, a website has revealed.

Searches for hotels in the capital have shot up by 464 per cent in Russia, according to the latest figures from Hotels.com, while the number of travellers looking for accommodation from Brazil has increased by 231 per cent.

There has also been a boom in demand for London hotels from Colombia, which experienced a rise of 224 per cent, while searches from around the UK have gone up by 122 per cent as people look for somewhere to stay during the Games in July and August.

The hunt for hotel rooms during the Games is also hotting up on the continent, with searches from Italy and the Netherlands both rising by 96 per cent, while there has been an increase of 94 per cent from Spain.

Hotels.com’s Alison Couper said: “With all eyes on London and the UK this year, it’s no surprise that the rest of the world is searching for accommodation in the capital.

“We’re continuing to work with hoteliers to ensure we provide hotel rates to suit any Olympic budget. 

“But we are advising visitors from across the globe to book their accommodation as soon as possible whether it be in the city centre or across the South East, which is potentially a more affordable option than those looking to stay in the heart of London.”

Prospective visitors to London are keen on staying near to transport hubs, the searches suggest. Paddington, Marylebone, Victoria and St Pancras are among the most searched destinations around the capital as many tourists take a practical approach to planning their visit.

However, more glamorous areas such as Mayfair, Chelsea, Knightsbridge and Westminster also feature on the most searched for areas list.

Prices at London’s hotels could rise by as much as 85 per cent in the centre of city around the time of the opening ceremony, the website said, even though approximately 12,000 additional rooms will be added to the capital.

A recent survey found the average price of a hotel room in London was £131.03 last year. 
Source: London Loves Business
Tags: HOTELS | ACCOMMODATION

More than 120,000 places reserved in hotels by Olympics organisers for workers, sponsors and the media during the Games will not be needed, it has emerged.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Locog) confirmed that around 20% of the room nights they had booked would now be returned to the hotels for them to offer up to other customers.

As part of the bid to stage the 2012 Games, agreements had been struck with hotels to provide more than 40,000 rooms, representing more than 600,000 room nights during the period. Part of the deal was that the committee promised to return any unwanted rooms back to the hotels so they could sell them in time for Games.

The rooms, at more than 200 hotels, range from five-star to budget accommodation.

Locog chief executive Paul Deighton said: "The hotel industry in London got behind the bid to stage the Games in the most extraordinary way and that support helped us across the line.

"We always promised that we would not hold on to hotel rooms we didn't need but return them to the individual hotels at the beginning of 2012. We are now doing this and I hope that this enables the hotels to continue with their planning for this summer as we all work together to stage a spectacular Games."

VisitBritain chief executive Sandie Dawe said: "We welcome today's announcement by Locog that they will be releasing around 20% of the hotel rooms that they have held in advance of the Games taking place. The fact that such a wide spread of rooms in London will now be made available to the public is great news for overseas visitors wishing to come to the UK to experience the Olympics and all the other wonderful festivities that are taking place over the summer."

Barry Wishart from the Grange Hotel group added: "We were only too happy to support London's bid for the Games and we are proud to continue that support. Now Locog has confirmed these details, we are able to confirm our plans for this summer and help our customers be part of this extraordinary event."

Not everyone believes the news is so positive however, with some in the tourism industry warning that prices had risen too fast before the new rooms were offered and many potential visitors had now been put off from staying in the capital.

Neil Wootton, managing director of sightseeing operator Premium Tours, told the Independent: "Prices have been so high that tourists are moving elsewhere."

Copyright © 2012 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

Source: The Press Association Google News
Tags: HOTELS | ACCOMMODATION

Londoners have begun an extraordinary Olympic property "gold rush" - led by ex-England footballer Sol Campbell.

The Standard can reveal that the former Spurs and Arsenal defender is renting out his Chelsea townhouse for £75,000 a week - four times its value - during the Games.

Campbell's five-storey property in Cheyne Walk is the most expensive short-term rental on the London market during the Olympics. He is one of thousands of homeowners seeking to cash in on the 500,000 extra visitors, including
Hollywood stars, expected to flood in this summer.

Industry experts say rental prices have rocketed fivefold as spectators from more than 200 countries descend on London to watch their sporting heroes in action.

Jemma Scott, head of residential corporate services at estate agency Knight Frank, said: "It is utterly unique and a very exciting time. I have never seen anything like it. If you take the buzz that surrounds short-term rentals in Wimbledon each year and multiply that by a thousand you might get some idea of the Olympic market."

People with central London homes aim to take advantage of the Olympic "jet-set"- VIPs who want a central city base where they can monitor their own security. The Standard has learned that at least one Hollywood figure is among those scouting out family homes. The person will make a five-figure contribution to their Olympic team in return for prime tickets and a chauffeur.

Film stars who have recently attend the Games include Nicole Kidman, David Schwimmer and Vince Vaughn. The Standard also understands a private members' club in central London is set to ignore strict admission policies and open its doors in a bid to attract wealthy tourists.

Campbell's Cheyne Walk property, near the Thames, is close to the former homes of David Lloyd George, Lawrence Olivier, Geroge Best, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

The 7,000 sq ft, five-storey townhouse was designed by the 37-year-old's wife Fiona Barratt. It boasts a lift, cinema, gym and spa, seven bedrooms and secure underground walkway into a mews house for two residential staff.

During the Olympics, Campbell, who won 73 England caps, will move around the corner to a penthouse he owns on the Thames. He said: "We will definitely be in London for the Olympics, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I'll be backing Team GB all the way, but look forward to welcoming others from all over the world.

"Cheyne Walk is such a fantastic location. Views of the Thames are unbeatable, especially at night when all lit up. Transport links are great and the best shopping and dining is on your doorstep." Ms Barratt added: "This house offers the perfect balance between a classical grade-II listed building and a great modern home designed for entertaining and luxury."

Meanwhile in Hampstead, Amit Soni, negotiator for agency Glentree International said: "We have had one discreet enquiry from an American who has a £1 million budget for a three-month rental over the Olympics on one of the private roads off Millionaire's Row. That is four times the normal price."

Beyond London, an Old Etonian boathouse on the Thames will be rented out for £8,500 a week during rowing finals at Eton Dorney, near Windsor Castle.

And an 18th-century castle in Portland, Dorset, is available to cash-rich visitors who want to take in the sailing at Weymouth. Pennsylvania Castle was built by the grandson of William Penn, who founded the American state.

It has nine bedrooms, an indoor pool and a helicopter pad. Winston Churchill, General Eisenhower and General de Gaulle finalised plans for the D-Day landings there. Ian Munro-Price, of estate agent Red House, said: "In terms of high-end property there's so very little close to the Olympic venue, so there is sure to be a huge demand."

Demand for short-term rentals at the other end of the market is also at an unprecedented high, according to Crashpadder.com, which helps people rent spare bedrooms as an alternative to hotels.

Source: Evening Standard
Tags: ACCOMMODATION | HOUSES

Property rental prices in London are notoriously high but, even by the capital’s standards, shelling out £37,500 a week is steep. That’s how much it’ll cost you to rent this five-floor house in Greenwich, south London, during the Olympics this summer. 

The £162,500-a-month price is justified, estate agent Knight Frank claims, as the Georgian home is in an ideal location for Olympic fans. 

The Grade II-listed building has two reception rooms, three  bathrooms and a temperature- controlled wine cellar. 

Its original features include a 17th-century York stone floor, exposed wooden beams and log-burning fireplaces. 

Michael Woda, a senior negotiator at Knight Frank, said the appeal of the property lies in its closeness to Greenwich Park, which will stage equestrian events. 

‘We have had a growing number of calls from homeowners hoping to rent out their homes during the Games,’ he added. 

Since London was confirmed as the Olympic host, many websites have sprung up offering owners the chance to rent out their homes.

But the high price tag for the end-of-terrace means it is more likely to attract corporate customers and sponsors. 

The owner, believed to be a  businessman who has an interest in the area, is currently giving the lower floor of his 343sq m (3,692sq ft) house a lick of paint. 

If there are no takers to rent it, perhaps selling it may be an option. 

The property is said to have fetched £225,000 in 1997 but is now valued at about £2.5million. 

Source: Metro
Tags: ACCOMMODATION | FLATS | HOUSES