Hotel rates at five-year low.

UK Hotel room prices fell to their lowest level for five years in the first half of this year, a price index claims.

Some one-night-stay prices dipped by as much as 33 per cent, according to a figures compiled by Hotels.com.

Average room rates fell 16 per cent in January to June compared with the same period last year.

The average one-night price for the first half of this year was pounds 83 - down from pounds 99 in January to June 2008.

Prices in Aberdeen were down a quarter, those in Southampton fell by 33 per cent and those in Sheffield dropped 24 per cent.

London prices fell 12 per cent to an average of pounds 101.

Bath remained the dearest destination, with rooms costing pounds 111 for one night, although this was a six per cent dip.

For a week's break, a couple would save an average of pounds 112 on hotel rooms this year compared to last.

The weakness of the pound meant overseas visitors paid up to 39 per cent less in some UK cities than they would have in 2008.