Hotel Business for Sale in Ireland – Current Listings Guide

If you are actively searching for a hotel business for sale in Ireland, you are in the right place. This article synthesises current listings from major Irish property portals with industry benchmarks on profitability and risk, giving you a clear framework to evaluate whether a specific hotel is worth your investment. The data here is drawn from verified listings on daft.ie (297 active hotel searches) and myhome.ie (34), alongside expert guidance from hospitality business schools and hotel financial analysts.

Last checked: 2026-06-21

Total Listings: 297 on daft.ie, 34 on myhome.ie · Price Range: €1M – €5M (14-bed hotel in West Mayo) · Top Regions: Dublin, Kerry, West Mayo, Carlow · Sample Listing: 14 en-suite bedroom hotel in West Mayo, asking €1M-€5M, turnover £2.1M

The bottom line: The Irish hotel market is liquid, with the majority of listings on daft.ie. Small hotels (under 20 rooms) dominate the €1‑€5 M band, while larger branded properties push higher.

Is it profitable to invest in a hotel?

Industry sources consistently cite a target annual return on investment of 6–12 % as a reasonable benchmark for hotel and broader hospitality investments, according to EHL Hospitality Business School. Another specialist provider, SiteMinder, confirms that this range is generally agreed upon within the industry.

Risk factors of hotel investment — Hotels carry higher operational risk than other real‑estate classes. A report by Aperture Hotels notes that over roughly three decades, hotels have delivered an average 8.0 % annual total return with lower volatility than broad stock indices — but that return is contingent on active management and professional asset oversight.

Profitability metrics — Hotel businesses generally operate on profit margins of about 5–15 %, according to NetSuite hotel accounting guidance. Luxury or prime‑location properties can exceed this range when they command significantly higher room rates.

How much is a hotel business?

Asking prices for small to medium hotels in Ireland currently range from €1 million to €5 million, based on the 14‑bedroom West Mayo example on daft.ie. That price includes both the property and the business itself; the turnover example of £2.1 million gives a rough revenue multiple of about 0.5–1.5 x, which is low compared to other hospitality sectors.

Price ranges for small to medium hotels in Ireland

• €200k–€1 M: Small guesthouses, pubs with rooms, often in rural counties.
• €1 M–€5 M: 14‑ to 30‑bedroom hotels, the most common band.
• €5 M–€15 M: Larger branded or city‑centre hotels with significant turnover.

Factors affecting price

Location is the primary driver. Hotels in Dublin or Kerry command higher multiples than those in Carlow or West Mayo. EHL emphasises that proximity to attractions, business centres, and transport infrastructure directly boosts occupancy and average daily rate.

The pattern: A 14‑bedroom hotel in West Mayo may appear cheap at €1 M‑€5 M, but a buyer should check whether the turnover (£2.1 M) supports the price. If profit margins are 5‑15 %, the net income could be as low as £100,000‑£315,000 — justifying a careful valuation.

How to sell a hotel

While this article focuses on buying, understanding the seller’s process helps you assess deal quality. Hotel Business outlines a structured approach: sellers should have complete financial records (tax returns, P&L, balance sheets) ready for due diligence, and complete any necessary repairs and renovations before listing.

Steps to prepare a hotel for sale

1. Valuation: Hire a professional hotel broker or advisor to set a realistic price.
2. Financial documentation: Assemble three years of tax returns and profit‑and‑loss statements.
3. Regulatory compliance: Ensure the property is fully up to code — building permits, licences, and fire safety.
4. Online presence: Improve TripAdvisor and Google scores; poor reviews reduce both occupancy and perceived value.
5. Contract review: Examine all vendor, management, and food‑and‑beverage contracts; unfavourable terms may require renegotiation.

Working with brokers

Hotel Business recommends hiring a specialist hotel broker rather than a general business intermediary, because the due‑diligence and closing processes are complex. If a seller has already done this work, the deal may be smoother and faster.

How much does it cost to open a small hotel?

Opening a small hotel from scratch can cost significantly less than buying an established one. NetSuite provides cost estimates: building a 500‑room hotel from the ground up can run into tens of millions, but a small 14‑bedroom property might be constructed for €1 M–€3 M, depending on land, construction, and fit‑out costs.

Startup costs vs buying existing

Buying an existing hotel avoids construction risk and gives immediate revenue. But it also means inheriting the previous owner’s operational issues, brand reputation, and possibly deferred maintenance. The NetSuite guide notes that opening a new hotel requires a lower initial investment but carries higher execution risk — planning permission, contractor delays, and no established revenue stream.

Cost breakdown

• Land: €500k–€2 M (rural vs urban)
• Construction: €1 M–€5 M for a small hotel
• Furniture, fixtures & equipment: €200k–€500k
• Licensing & permits: €20k–€50k
• Marketing & pre‑opening: €50k–€100k

What is the 15/5 rule hotel?

The 15/5 rule is a customer‑service guideline popularised by Marriott: acknowledge guests within 15 feet and speak to them within 5 feet. It appears in many hotel training manuals and is widely referenced in industry forums. For a buyer, understanding this rule helps you assess a target property’s service culture — if the existing staff or ownership does not follow it, you may need to invest in training.

Application in guest service

Hotels that consistently apply the 15/5 rule see higher guest satisfaction scores and repeat bookings. As Cvent notes, hotel ROI is not just about revenue — it also depends on operational initiatives like upselling and guest recognition. The 15/5 rule is a low‑cost, high‑impact practice.

Impact on hotel reputation

If a hotel for sale has weak TripAdvisor scores, that may signal poor adherence to basic service standards. A buyer should factor in the cost of retraining and possibly rebranding to improve the online reputation.

Best for segments

Luxury investors

Look for hotels in Dublin, Kerry, or West Mayo with 20–50 rooms, high ADR, and multiple revenue streams (restaurant, bar, event space). These properties command €5 M–€15 M but offer the highest margin potential — up to 15 % net profit.

Small hotel entrepreneurs

Target the 14‑bedroom band (€1 M–€5 M) with lower turnover but lower entry cost. The West Mayo example shows that you can buy a small hotel with a decent revenue stream and build from there.

Budget‑conscious buyers

Guesthouses or B&Bs on myhome.ie or businessesforsale.ie often start at €200k–€500k. They require less capital but also generate lower returns — typically 5–10 % net profit.

First‑time hotel buyers

Consider a small hotel in a stable region (Carlow, West Mayo) with a motivated seller. The lower price point means less financial risk, and you can learn the business before scaling up.