The hotel industry is a microcosm of the wider economy. At first glance, it seems to be thriving. However, the more you peel it back, the more vulnerabilities emerge.
International investors are making bold plays on the Irish hotel market. Private equity buyers and well-heeled private buyers are also circling. Yet, margins and room revenues are under pressure, and a host of hoteliers have handed over the keys to the state.
The €260m sale of the Dublin luxury hotel to Archer marks the end of opportunities to add value to an asset snapped up for just €111m before renovation a decade ago.
From expanding internationally too early to not fully understanding the power of branding, the Staycity co-founder told a recent event organised by Rockwell and The Currency how he has learned from his mistakes.
Incomes have been rising decade on decade, boosting demand for Ireland’s tourist offerings. Irish policymakers need to have their response planned, writes Ronan Lyons.
Acquired by a group led by lawyer Barry McGrath, the Dawson Hotel hopes to attract tourists seeking value in a Dublin city-centre location. There are also plans for a new hospitality venue.
The three-year-old legal battle over who owns the five-star resort has taken a new twist, with highly contested claims of manipulated surreptitious recordings and a Chinese arrest warrant.
The private equity-owned hotel portfolio Tifco is up for sale. Its core business is booming. The only challenge is the debt used to fund it.
Hotelier and businessman Frankie Whelehan has just sold his group procurement firm First Choice Purchasing for over €15m to global services giant Aramark.
As he transitions from managing director to chairman of Hastings Hotels, Howard Hastings reflects about steering the business through the pandemic, the future of hospitality and the lessons he learned from his father.
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