The great recession appears to have been harder on hotel spa operations than on hotels themselves, according to a new study released by PKF Consulting USA (PKFC).

PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR) today announced that, according to its December 2009 edition of Hotel Horizons, the pace of recovery of the U.S. lodging industry has accelerated from previous expectations. Improving industry data for such key indicators as occupancy, RevPAR, and demand suggest that the recovery will arrive a full quarter earlier than the firm expected in September 2009. These improvements are reflected in the firm’s updated forecasts for 2009 and 2010 in its just published December issue of Hotel Horizons.

Occupancy rates increased again for London hotel in May on the back of the attractiveness of cheap Sterling and improved economic outlook. However regional hotels continued to struggle, according to monthly figures released today by PKF Hotel Consultancy Services.Occupancy across London’s hotels increased 1.3% year on year in May, from 81.0% last year to 82.1% this year. Room rate did not do so well, dropping 7.3% to £116.49, as hoteliers looked for ways to attract visitors. As a result, rooms yield fell by 6.4% from £101.77 last year to £95.59 this year.

Preliminary monthly figures released today by PKF Hotel Consultancy Services show that room rates, occupancy and room yield has all fallen again over the Christmas period.