Hotel prices across mainland Europe rose by a dramatic 17% last year, but Moscow still tops the list as the world’s most expensive destination, averaging £172 per room, research has revealed.

 Prices in Norway, Denmark and Sweden, however, rose fastest, between 27% and 30% due to a strong local economy and events encouraging tourists into the region, according to online booking site Hotels.com

 France also saw a whopping 27% annual rise, as Brits buying up French properties contributed to increased demand for hotel availability.

 Germany and Spain remain at the bottom of the European league with average room rates of £73 and £76 respectively – almost 25% lower than the average cost of a room in the UK (£98).

 In the UK, Bath trumped London’s £107 per room with an average rate of £114, due to the disproportionate number of luxury hotels in the city and high demand fuelled by the long-awaited opening of the Thermae Bath Spa.

 Worldwide, New York was the world’s second most expensive city, with prices topping £155 per room, but beyond the Big Apple, US and Central American rates were more reasonable, with rooms available for £64 in Orlando and £67 in Mexico City.

 Asia saw prices rise by 12%, although with rooms available in Bangkok for just £44, this was also the cheapest international city. Elsewhere, Dubai hit averages of £124 per room, closely followed by Cancun at £117 and Tokyo at £107.

 The Hotels.com data reflects prices paid by customers from more than 20,000 hotels in 1,000 cities.

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By Emily Manson

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