New Year party-goers face steep hotel fees

Revellers planning to spend Hogmanay in Edinburgh face some of the highest accommodation prices in Europe this year.

As hoteliers look forward to cashing in on the festivities, prices have been hiked by almost 200 per cent. Among the most expensive is the penthouse at the Scotsman Hotel, on North Bridge, complete with sauna and library, which has sold for £2000. The Royal Suite at the nearby Balmoral Hotel is still available – for just £1435.

One night in a standard double room in the Capital normally costs around £102, but partygoers will pay an average of £302 to bring in the bells in the city.