The most expensive hotels in the world

For the fifth consecutive year Moscow has taken out the honour of having the world’s most expensive hotels according to the latest HRG survey.

The Russian capital was somewhat affected by the ongoing effects of the economic downturn with average room rates down on 2008 figures but the figure of $420 per room per night is still significantly dearer than second placed Abu Dhabi which averaged $350 per room. The rates for Moscow meant a fall of around $50 on the 2008 average rates.

Coordinated by the international corporate travel company Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) the survey discovered that average room rates across the globe were almost all down as hotel groups offered a range of discount deals to try and entice penny-conscious consumers in the recession.

British travellers would not have been impressed by the latest statistics given that the continued downward slide of the pound in 2009 meant that many global destinations were in fact more expensive last year than in the past for UK holidaymakers. According to the HRG findings room rates for Abu Dhabi were actually up by $40 from 2008 while Washington (9th) and Geneva (7th) both increased.

Third placed getter New York, which boasted an average rate of $340, saw declines of up to 23 percent while London also experienced a loss of around 5 percent but still placed well down the most expensive list at 29th position with an average room rate of $225.

Paris placed fourth on the list ahead of Manama (Bahrain), Milan and Copenhagen with Athens rounding out the top ten.