18 AUG: Average room rates in Singapore hotels have risen some 20% to about $S219 in the 12 months to June, the Straits Times newspaper reported yesterday.

5 JULY: An unemployed truck driver who tried to sell London’s swanky Ritz Hotel at a bargain price of $400m has been found guilty of obtaining money by deception.

2 JULY: Unusually dry weather in England has prompted a Lake District luxury hotel to offer guests a refund of £100 (about $160) if it rains during their stay.

1 JULY: Hobart has joined the very high end of the accommodation market.

24 JUN: The man behind low-fare airline AirAsia is taking pricing to a new rockbottom level.

23 JUN: Summer in Paris is bringing hotel bargains for Australian visitors.

A new hotel in New York which puts guests so close to the World Trade Centre site that they can wave to construction workers had a grand opening on Wednesday.

World Centre Hotel guests look down on the World Trade Centre construction site - the area known as ground zero. The rising tower of what will be called One World Trade Centre is seen centre left.

Another fashion icon is moving into the hotel business.

Three men are facing fraud charges after trying to sell The Ritz hotel in London when apparently they were in no position to do so.

The Ritz

A new hotel in Rome is being classed as a real dump.

Save the Beach Hotel