Hotel Room Bargains

Good news for home holiday makers. Irish luxury breaks are available at less than luxury prices and are likely to remain so during the summer.

Under the old hotel rating system we had 21 five-star hotels, now we have a dozen more. And this comes at a time when Ireland's fast growing five-star hotel sector is set to hit a bumpy patch in the months ahead, as the American economy and the declining dollar create uncertainty in the luxury sector's core market.

This is good news for the Irish holiday maker who last enjoyed access to five-star hotels at bargain rates after the outbreak of the Iraq War in April 2003.

One hotel which planned to charge €600 per night has offered rooms on the home market for €200. Another hotel which did not even market itself to Irish people until recent years has launched a campaign to bring holiday makers from close to home.

Despite the comments about the rainy summer, Irish holidaymakers make the most business for Ireland's hoteliers and this applies in all categories. However, it is at the luxury end that the treasures are to be found. Real efforts have been made by the Irish tourist industry, particularly hotels, to bring a sense of style, originality and fun to accommodation and other services.

Many of the managers have worked abroad and others have dealt with the more sophisticated American market, who expect high standards from leading world brands. Their experience abroad leads to better service at home.

Some of the newer five-star hotels are offering home holiday luxury breaks in May at discounted rates. Many of these offer fine dining, spa and golf packages at prices which would normally buy a break at a four or even three-star hotel.

There are now 33 five-star hotels on the island under the new grading system introduced in January, up from 21 three years ago. The increase has led to fears of over-supply.
The Capella Hotel in Castlemartyr and its sister hotel in Castletownbere are claiming six-star status under its own international marketing strategy to position itself above Ritz Carlton. They chose to open two of the first of their new hotels in Ireland.

In recent weeks the Solis Lough Eske in Donegal as opened and has already been awarded the accolade of one of the hottest new hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveller.

It is one of five new five-star hotels which are due to open this year or soon after: Ballykilty Manor in Quin, Borrmount Manor in Bree in Enniscorthy, Dunboy Castle Hotel in Castletownbere, Luttrellstown Castle in Leixlip and the Monogram on Grand Canal Dock in Dublin.

Eoghan Corry