A Good Year for Hotels in L.A. County

Hotels in Los Angeles County reaped the rewards of increased leisure and business travel to the region last year, posting a 4% increase in average occupancy and a 6% jump in average room prices. In its yearly report, PKF Consulting, which tracks such figures for the local hospitality industry, said occupancy for county hotels hit 76% in 2000, up from 73% the previous year. Rooms that fetched an average of $116.06 per night in 1999 brought in $122.20 per night last year, PKF said. Luxury hotels in Beverly Hills saw the largest occupancy jump, reaching 75% from the previous year’s 69%, while Hollywood-area properties enjoyed the largest room-rate increase, up 13% to $85.07. Figures for Orange County were not immediately available.