Euro 2012 hotel crisis in Ukraine eases... a little

Slammed by Uefa chief Michel Platini for allowing Euro 2012 hotel prices to sky-rocket, embattled co-host Ukraine has tried to make good on a pledge to try to ease the burden on fans’ pockets.

Prices remain far from perfect compared with previous, west European editions of the 16-nation tournament, and are still higher than in co-host Poland.

For example, two berths in a vast tent in Donetsk are selling online for €126 for the June 27 semi-final, and a double room with shared bathroom in a youth hostel for a staggering €962 on the same date.

But cheaper solutions have come onto the market, with youth hostel dormitory beds at around €20, and a four-person apartment at €192. Official tournament travel agent TUI meanwhile lists options on its www.accom2012.com site including double rooms in a university hall of residence for €72 a night for a minimum three-night booking.

Organisers say they have mustered an extra 23,000 hotel rooms in Ukraine’s four host cities, plus 15,000 camping berths.

According to figures from Uefa, the average price for a night in a Ukrainian three-star hotel during the tournament is €191, compared with €155 in Poland and, in a four-star, €263 against €205.

Euro 2012 begins on June 8 and ends on July 1.