Ayrlington hotel in Bath sells for over £2.5m 11th February 2014

The Ayrlington, a well known Bath hotel with a turnover of £505,710 net of VAT, has been sold by Colliers International for well above the £2.5 million asking price.

Built in the early 1860s, the listed property has 16 letting bedrooms and will sleep 32 guests. The hotel sits in a good size plot and, unusually for the centre of Bath, has car parking for guests. The sale included a three-bedroom flat with direct access to the hotel's Orangery.

Colliers Internation Hotels Director director Simon Wells said the 16-bedroom B&B hotel had attracted considerable interest and triggered brisk bidding.

The five-star property has been sold to an Italian investor who already owns one hotel in the city. Previous owners Ling and Simon Roper bought the hotel in 2000 and launched an immediate refurbishment programme.

Mrs Roper has now bought the nearby Apple Tree B&B, which she is planning to launch in time for the Easter break. “There was quite a lot of interest in the Ayrlington and the market is clearly picking up largely thanks to a good mix of UK and international visitors.”

Mrs Roper said improved flight availability to and from Bristol Airport had also contributed to the recovery within the West tourism sector with a marked increase in visitors from Germany.

Simon Wells said last year’s fine summer weather signalled a significant upturn in business for the popular city centre hotel. “The Ayrlington overlooks the Rec and Bath Abbey and makes the ideal base for tourists wanting to explore the Georgian city. With occupancy hitting 98.2 per cent it is clear visitors are returning to Bath in droves.