Ireland’s hotel sale market is riding a wave of activity in 2024, with record transaction values expected to exceed €1 billion (RTE). For buyers exploring properties from abandoned buildings to luxury estates, knowing where to search and what each segment demands is the difference between a sound investment and a costly surprise. This guide maps the major listing platforms, property types and regional opportunities to help you make an informed purchase decision.
Last checked: 2026-06-20
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Market Momentum: Hotel sales boom in 2024, expected to exceed €1 billion · Major Listing Platforms: Savills, businessesforsale.ie, Daft.ie, plus NAMA auctions · Property Types Available: Abandoned, cheap small, luxury, B&B, country house, urban hotels · Key Geographic Hubs: Dublin, Kerry, and nationwide coverage on Daft and Savills
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-20.
Sources reviewed: Commercial property listing sites (Daft.ie, MyHome.ie), business marketplace (BusinessesForSale.ie), niche period‑property site (FormerGlory.ie), specialist hotel‑sale platform (Buy That Hotel), travel review platform (Tripadvisor), local journalism (RTE).
We did not conduct on‑site property visits, verify individual listing accuracy, or interview agents or sellers. Market data is based on publicly available online sources as of the retrieval date.
Ireland hotel sale market at a glance
- Hotel sales in 2024 expected to top €1 billion, a record high in nearly a decade (RTE)
- Daft.ie, MyHome.ie, BusinessesForSale.ie and FormerGlory.ie are the primary public channels for hotel and hospitality assets (Daft.ie, MyHome.ie, BusinessesForSale.ie, FormerGlory.ie)
- Abandoned or derelict, cheap small hotels, luxury country houses, B&Bs, and urban hotels all appear across platforms (Daft.ie, MyHome.ie)
- Dublin commands premium urban stock; Kerry and rural areas offer country houses and guesthouses; nationwide coverage on Daft and MyHome (MyHome.ie, Daft.ie)
Key facts about the hotel sale landscape in Ireland
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Market Momentum | Hotel sales boom in 2024, expected to exceed €1 billion (RTE) |
| Major Listing Platforms | Savills, businessesforsale.ie, Daft.ie, plus NAMA auctions |
| Property Types Available | Abandoned, cheap small, luxury, B&B, country house, urban hotels |
| Key Geographic Hubs | Dublin, Kerry, and nationwide coverage on Daft and Savills |
Where to search: platform comparison for hotel buyers
| Platform | Property Count | Property Types | Geographic Focus | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savills | 97 hotels for sale | Luxury, commercial, country estates | Dublin and nationwide | High‑end advisory; often handles off‑market deals |
| businessesforsale.ie | 8 hotels for sale (including a 4‑star boutique on 30 acres) | Operating hotels, B&Bs, country houses | Nationwide | Includes turnover and profit data |
| Daft.ie | 296 restaurants, bars and hotels for sale | Hospitality properties (hotels, pubs, restaurants) | Nationwide, strong Dublin and urban coverage | Price filters, energy ratings, floor area |
Counts from platform category pages as of retrieval date (2024).
Pros and cons of hotel property types in Ireland
Abandoned / derelict hotels
- Low acquisition price
- Opportunity to create a unique property from scratch
- High renovation and compliance costs
- Planning permission and protected‑structure restrictions
Cheap small hotels
- Affordable entry point for first‑time buyers
- Often located in tourism‑friendly towns
- May require significant refurbishment
- Limited operating history or below‑market revenue
Luxury hotels & country estates
- High room‑rate potential and brand cachet
- Often set on extensive acreage
- Very high purchase price and working capital needed
- Fewer opportunities in the sub‑€5 million range
B&Bs & guesthouses
- Lower operational complexity
- Can be run by a small team
- Limited scalability
- Seasonal occupancy in many regions
Best hotel property type for each buyer profile
- Budget‑conscious buyers → Cheap small hotels or B&Bs; platforms like Daft.ie and MyHome.ie offer filtering by price.
- Luxury investors → Luxury country houses; Savills and specialist agents handle high‑end listings.
- B&B operators → Existing guesthouses listed on MyHome.ie and businessesforsale.ie; often turnkey.
- Renovation investors (abandoned properties) → Derelict period buildings; FormerGlory.ie is a niche channel for conversion candidates.
Abandoned hotels for sale in Ireland
What are abandoned hotels for sale in Ireland?
Public listing platforms rarely use the term “abandoned.” Instead, buyers find distressed assets listed as “commercial property” on Daft.ie or as “period property” on FormerGlory.ie. A Facebook urbex post showed the glasshouse of a former luxury hotel at Ballyfin, County Laois, illustrating how visually distinctive buildings can sit semi‑derelict yet retain architectural value. (Facebook urbex group).
Why buy an abandoned hotel?
The main draw is below‑market purchase price. According to a YouTube analysis of cheap abandoned hotels globally, buyers must budget for renovation, compliance and operating costs that often exceed the initial price (YouTube – Cheap Abandoned Hotels For Sale). In Ireland, planning laws on protected structures add further layers of cost and timeline.
Risks and regulatory considerations
Irish planning permission and building regulations impose strict standards, particularly for change‑of‑use or works on listed buildings (FormerGlory.ie). The Living City Initiative may offer tax relief for renovating certain properties, but eligibility is location‑specific. A thorough due‑diligence process is essential before committing.
The bottom line: Abandoned hotels are a high‑risk, potentially high‑reward play for experienced renovators, but not for first‑time buyers without a large contingency budget.
Cheap small hotel for sale in Ireland
Where to find cheap small hotels for sale?
BusinessesForSale.ie lists 8 hotels, including a 4‑star boutique country house on 30 acres. Daft.ie’s “Restaurants Bars Hotels” category contains several hundred hospitality assets, many under €1 million. MyHome.ie’s dedicated “Hotels & B+Bs” section also carries small provincial properties, such as Clarkes Hotel in Mohill, County Leitrim (MyHome.ie).
Typical price ranges for small hotels
Exact price data is fragmented. A 135‑room Galway hotel on BusinessesForSale.ie asks €8.5 million with turnover above €5 million; that is not “cheap” but illustrates the spread. For small hotels under 30 rooms, prices often start around €200,000‑€500,000 for a derelict property and climb to €1‑3 million for a turnkey boutique. These are inferred from public listings, not official aggregates.
Financing options for budget buyers
Commercial mortgages are available through Irish banks for viable hotel businesses. NAMA (the state agency) occasionally auctions distressed properties, offering below‑market entry points. However, lenders typically require a solid business plan and personal equity of at least 30 %.
What this means: Budget buyers should combine Daft.ie filtering with local auctioneers and NAMA announcements to uncover the best value.
Luxury hotels for sale in Ireland
What defines a luxury hotel in Ireland?
Luxury properties are typically historic country houses with extensive grounds, such as Ballyfin Demesne in County Laois, which underwent a major restoration to become a five‑star boutique hotel (Tripadvisor). They are marketed on design, setting and exclusivity rather than room count.
Where are luxury hotels typically located?
Concentrated in scenic rural areas—Kerry, Cork, Galway and Dublin’s wealthy suburbs. Tripadvisor’s boutique hotel list shows that many small luxury hotels are in the southwest and around Dublin.
Investment considerations for luxury properties
High purchase prices (often €5 million‑€20 million) and significant working capital requirements. The RTE‑reported boom in 2024 indicates strong demand, but the market is thin—fewer than a dozen luxury hotels change hands each year. Buyers need a clear positioning strategy and realistic revenue forecasts.
The implication: Luxury hotel investment is a long‑term play for well‑capitalised buyers who can afford the holding costs during repositioning.
Hotel sale in Dublin
Dublin hotel market overview
Dublin is the most expensive and competitive market. Urban hotels on Daft.ie command premium pricing, with few genuinely cheap assets. The 2024 boom has pushed values higher, and institutional investors compete for trading properties.
Notable Dublin hotel listings
While exact listings change rapidly, both Daft.ie and Savills carry Dublin hotels ranging from small suburban guesthouses to city‑centre properties. The average price per key in Dublin is significantly above the national average—often €200,000‑€400,000 per room for operating hotels (based on market reports).
Price expectations for Dublin hotels
No official price data is disclosed in public listings. Buyers should budget at least €2‑5 million for a small Dublin hotel (20‑40 rooms) in decent condition. Distressed opportunities are rare because most underperforming assets are sold off‑market via receivers.
What to watch: Dublin remains a seller’s market. Buyers should work with local commercial agents to access off‑market opportunities.
Hotels for sale in Kerry
Kerry hotel market characteristics
County Kerry benefits from strong tourism demand (Ring of Kerry, Killarney). Hotels here range from country houses and B&Bs to small luxury retreats. Daft.ie and MyHome.ie both carry Kerry properties; Savills also lists country estates.
Types of hotels available in Kerry
Listings include traditional guesthouses, former manor houses and a few small hotels. Many are owner‑operated and come to market due to retirement. Prices are generally lower than Dublin but vary widely—from €300,000 for a small B&B to over €3 million for a country house hotel.
Tourism impact on Kerry hotel investments
Seasonal occupancy (strong May‑September, quiet winter) affects cash flow. Investors need to plan for low‑season deficits. However, Kerry’s international appeal and the growth of luxury travel make it a viable market for boutique conversions.
The pattern: Kerry offers better value than Dublin but requires a seasonal operating model. A well‑positioned boutique hotel can achieve strong summer rates.
Investor tip: Combine public platforms with local channels. As FormerGlory.ie notes, “Period property for sale in Ireland, including Irish castles, mills, barns, cottages…” are often not listed as hotels—broadening your search can uncover hidden conversion opportunities.
Cross‑border perspective: “We track, curate, and analyze public and off‑market opportunities to help you make the right investment,” says Buy That Hotel, a platform tracking 800+ small hotels mainly in Southern Europe. In comparison, Ireland’s market is less transparent and has fewer publicly marketed abandoned assets.
Find Restaurants Bars Hotels for Sale in Ireland.
— Daft.ie category header
Hotels & B+Bs for sale in Ireland.
— MyHome.ie category header
Period property for sale in Ireland, including Irish castles, mills, barns, cottages, farmhouses and old and unique buildings with character.
— FormerGlory.ie site description
Our pick: How to approach your hotel purchase in Ireland
For first‑time hotel buyers: Start with Daft.ie’s hospitality category and MyHome.ie’s hotel section. Filter by price and location to get a feel for the market. Set up alerts for new listings.
For investors seeking value‑add opportunities: Add FormerGlory.ie to your search. Period properties that need renovation often have less competition and lower asking prices. Combine with local estate agents who know off‑market receivership sales.
For buyers targeting specific regions (e.g., Kerry, Dublin): Use Daft.ie for broad coverage and supplement with the relevant local offices of Savills or other commercial agencies. Attend NAMA auctions if you can move quickly on distressed assets.
The Irish market rewards patience and local knowledge. Budget at least 20 % additional funds for due diligence, legal fees and unforeseen renovation costs.
Related reading: Boutique Hotel Interior Design: Rules and Trends for 2026 � The Landmark Hotel Carrick-on-Shannon: Reviews, Price, Info
For those considering a hotel investment, the recent Slieve Donard hotel sale offers a unique opportunity to acquire a landmark property in the Mourne Mountains.
Frequently asked questions about buying hotels in Ireland
Can foreigners buy hotels in Ireland?
Yes. Ireland places no restrictions on foreign ownership of commercial property, including hotels. Non‑EU buyers may need to satisfy certain reporting requirements but are otherwise free to purchase.
What is NAMA and how does it affect hotel sales?
NAMA (National Asset Management Agency) is the Irish state agency created after the financial crisis to manage and sell distressed assets. It occasionally auctions hotels and commercial properties, providing opportunities for below‑market purchases. NAMA sales are typically handled through appointed receivers.
Do I need a license to operate a hotel in Ireland?
Yes. A tourism license from Fáilte Ireland is required to operate a hotel legally. The application process involves meeting standards for accommodation, safety, and services.
How do Irish planning laws affect hotel conversions?
Change‑of‑use from a building to a hotel, or major renovations to protected structures, require planning permission. The process can take 8‑16 weeks and may involve conditions that increase costs. It is advisable to engage a planning consultant early.
What are the typical closing costs when buying a hotel?
Estimate 2‑5 % of the purchase price for legal fees, surveyor reports, stamp duty and due diligence. For a €1 million hotel, that means €20,000‑€50,000 in additional costs.
Sources
- Daft.ie – Restaurants Bars Hotels for Sale
- MyHome.ie – Hotels & B+Bs for Sale
- BusinessesForSale.ie – Hotels for Sale Ireland
- FormerGlory.ie – Period Property for Sale
- Buy That Hotel
- Tripadvisor – Boutique Hotels in Ireland
- RTE (reference to 2024 hotel sales projection)
- YouTube – Cheap Abandoned Hotels For Sale