NORMALLY, trying to find a hotel room in Edinburgh at this time of year would be a nigh-on impossible task.
However, The Scotsman has revealed mounting concern in the industry about the level of accommodation still available in the capital at the start of the summer festivals season.
The city's five-star Balmoral still had plenty of availability for thi
s coming weekend, when the Edinburgh Festival Fringe will kick off. However, the cheapest deal offered to The Scotsman for a double room was £355, just £65 less than the standard price.
The Sheraton Grand Hotel was offering a double room at £269 for one night. The only special last-minute offer made was a complimentary breakfast, normally costing £18.
Away from the festivals focus of the capital, the picture was mixed. The Thistle Aberdeen Airport Hotel quoted standard prices of between £98 and £148 for a double room this weekend and insisted cheaper prices – offering a discount of up to 50 per cent – may only become available via the internet.
However, at the Copthorne Hotel in Aberdeen, The Scotsman was offered a double room for just £64, compared to the normal price of £191.
Peter Dornan, chairman of the Edinburgh Principal Hotels Association, is also general manager of the Edinburgh Marriott Hotel.
He admitted advance bookings were not what they should be at this time of year. But he cautioned against widespread discounting as businesses could end up losing money in the longer term.
Mr Dornan said: "We should be looking at making our rates as competitive as possible, but we have to be careful.
"There's a lot to suggest many people are staying in the UK this summer and will be instead looking for a last-minute break.
"It's also worth remembering the accommodation figures for Scotland can often fluctuate depending on one or two big events. Next year will see big events like rugby's Heineken Cup at Murrayfield, which will make a huge difference to May."
The full article contains 341 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
