Over 3,000 hotel bedrooms in Dublin – 14% of total stock – are currently closed or in alternative use, such as for the provision of HSE accommodation. However, at the same time, Covid-19 restrictions have resulted in a dramatic reduction in business, resulting in hotel operators offering significant discounts in order to boost business.

Savills analysed year-on-year rates for a 1-night stay in the capital – including breakfast for two – across all hotels in Dublin and found that:

5-star hotels:

- The average daily rate is €250, with some availability under €200
- Last September/October, prices averaged over €400
- There are approx. 1,750 five-star rooms in Dublin and all 5-star hotels are open

4-star hotels:

- The average daily rate is €130, with an extensive choice for under €110
- Last September/October, prices averaged €200
- There are approx. 13,400 four-star bedrooms in Dublin. 1,600 of these rooms are in alternative use.

3-star hotels:
- The average daily rate is €110
- Last September prices averaged €150
- There are approx. 5,400 three-star bedrooms in Dublin. 800 of these rooms are in alternative use.

Tom Barrett, Director of Hotels & Leisure at Savills Ireland commented:

“Hotel occupancy rates are at their lowest point in history, so it’s no surprise that there are amazing deals to be had. However, in the long-run, operating at this level is not commercially viable, therefore – assuming 2021 brings some level of normality back to the tourism and hospitality sector – prices will recover, but it could take a few years to return to pre-Covid room rates.”

Barrett continued:

“There has been a lot of focus on supporting retailers by shopping local – and rightly so. But I think it’s also important that we support the hotel industry – the bedrock of tourism in Ireland – by staying local. Current restrictions have made it difficult to go out for a meal or a few drinks on a Saturday night, but if you shop around, it’s not too hard to find deals that offer dinner, bed & breakfast, for a very attractive price, compared to what you might have paid for a “normal” night out in Dublin, with a bar, restaurant, and taxis.”