In recent months a number of high profile hotels have come to the market through receiver commissioned sales. One of these is the 5 star, seven hundred acre, Fota Island Resort in Cork. The property was transferred to NAMA as part of the approximately €1 billion loan portfolio of the Fleming Group. The resort comprises 131 bedrooms, 59 holiday lodges and a 27 hole championship golf course.

Although receiver led sales may be increasing, reports of some high-profile sales over the past year, together with increased interest from overseas investors in prime located properties, suggest that there has been some improvement in the Irish hotel market. Some of these high profile transactions include; the reported €15 million acquisition of the Four Seasons by London and Regional, the €30 million purchase of the Grand Canal Square Hotel by a Swiss investor and the securing of the Morrison Hotel by a Russian businesswoman for a reputed €22 million.

It is also reported that a number of prestigious hotels financed through Bank of Scotland (Ireland) have recently been placed into receivership by the Lloyds Banking Group, leading to likely acquisition opportunities. These include Lyrath Estate, a 5 star hotel and convention centre in Kilkenny; Oriel House and the Ambassador Hotel both located in Cork. Other hotels for sale include Blarney Golf Resort, also in Cork, which has an asking price of €7 million.