Capri, Geneva and New York top the most expensive hotel rooms list, according to a global survey that showed hotel rates rising for the first time in three years as the global economy picks up.

Hotel provider Hotels.com's bi-annual hotel price index found that average hotel room rates are at low levels seen six years ago, although "We're seeing travel bookings pick up around the world," a statement said.

Overall, prices rose about two percent in the second quarter of 2010 from a year ago - the first increase since the end of 2007.

The index, now in its seventh year, is based on about 91,500 properties in 15,750 locations.

Prices rose seven percent on the Italian island of Capri, making it the most expensive destination for hotels; ousting Monte Carlo from 2009's top slot.

In the top 10 are Croatia's Dubrovnik, Venice, Rio de Janiero, Paris, Bali, London and Moscow.

New York has the most expensive United States city rooms: prices up 14 percent from 2009.

The survey indicated the largest price rises was in cities tied to major events. It includes price hikes in Cannes, France, for its annual film festival and on Bali, Indonesia - the island setting for Julia Roberts' new movie Eat Pray Love. Room rates in Bali surged 57 percent, the largest price rise of all.

The second biggest rise was in Cape Town as Fifa World Cup host, where room rates jumped 53 percent.