Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness have experienced the biggest increase in hotel prices in the UK over the past year, according to new statistics published this month.

The Hotel Price Index, published by hotels.com, shows a six per cent rise in prices in Edinburgh, making it the fifth most expensive city in the UK after Bath, London, Oxford and Aberdeen.

Rooms at the Scotsman range from £150 to £1000 per night, whilst rooms at the Caledonian hotel are available from £140 to £600.

A spokesperson for the Scotsman hotel said: “There has most definitely been a rise in prices. This is because of more tourists, more demands and more expenses in the running of the business. I don’t know about other hotels but we need to constantly fix things and replace things as the building is so old.”

A 34 per cent increase in Aberdeen has seen rooms soar to £109 per night, overtaking Edinburgh as the most expensive city in Scotland.

A spokesperson for Hotels.com said: “The hotel price index data does not give us reasons for any of the price fluctuations. We can, however, make a judgment on it.

“Looking at Aberdeen in 2007, this could be a result of the Golf Open in June, as well as a number of conferences which fueled demand for rooms.”

Inverness reflected the trend with a huge increase of 21 per cent, making the average price of a hotel £95.

David Roche, Senior Vice President of hotels.com, said: “It is interesting to see Aberdeen and Inverness experience such large price rises in 2007.

“Scotland is fast becoming a destination of choice for luxury leisure travelers, and this, along with Aberdeen’s status as an important business centre, is being reflected in the rising prices people are paying for hotel rooms”

The Hotel Price Index collects data based on prices paid for hotels in 2007 compared to 2006. The data focuses on consumer rates, rather than corporate, and prices are not adjusted for inflation.

In the world league Aberdeen and Edinburgh are ranked eighth and ninth most expensive, following such illustrious competition as Moscow, Dubai, New York and Venice.