U.S. weekly hotel room revenue rises 13.6 percent

LOS ANGELES, Oct 3 (Reuters) - U.S. hotels posted a 13.6 percent increase in room revenue for the week ended Sept. 29 from a year earlier, Smith Travel Research said on Wednesday.

Occupancy rose 3.1 percentage points to 68.2 percent, while room rates rose 10.2 percent to an average of $109.15 a night, according to Smith Travel, which tracks lodging industry data.

That boosted revenue per available room -- a combination of room rates and occupancy that is a benchmark of the industry's health -- by 13.6 percent to $74.43.

Major hotel operators in the survey included Marriott International Inc (MAR.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Hilton Hotels Corp HLT.N and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc (HOT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz). (Reporting by Lisa Baertlein)