Hotels profit from stranded commuters

Central London hotels saw last- minute reservations double and some had to turn people away or place them on standby lists.

As Square Mile firms made group bookings to ensure workers made it in today, the busiest places were in the City. The 267 rooms at the Andaz Liverpool Street, where a suite costs £395 a night, were all taken.

The 205-room Hoxton Hotel in Great Eastern Street was also full, with more than 35 last-minute bookings at the full rate of £170.

A spokesman said: "Many people booked ahead for tonight as well."

The Holiday Inn Express, in Old Street, reported virtually all its 224 rooms taken by corporate clients. Duty manager Smita Soomaroo said: "We had to turn some people away, but then we had cancellations from foreign travellers who couldn't land at Heathrow."

The five-star Threadneedles Hotel, near the Bank of England, had all of its 69 rooms, which cost up to £395, full last night. Duty manager Denis Odintsov said: "I think we'll be fully booked today as well."

The 153-room, £225-a-night Apex City of London put some people on standby, hoping for cancellations from overseas travellers.

Further afield, the five-star 204-room St Martin's Lane Hotel in Covent Garden, where a loft king room costs £680 a night, was at 90per cent occupancy and the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge and the Dorchester, overlooking Hyde Park, were busier than usual.