JULY 28, 2006

Hoteliers in masks

Idle Internet surfers might be interested to see that the Mercure Hotel in Nevers, France, usually asks $108 per night for a room in the summer months. That is what you will pay if you visit this tranquil backwater on the banks of the Loire on June 1 next year or indeed on August 1.

However, if by chance you want to reserve the same room on June 24, July 1, July 8 or July 15, you will find that the price goes up to a rather less than enticing $1900 per night.

Unless there is a Grand Prix on one of those weekends, it is hard to imagine that the hotel will be bursting with guests.