Bath’s super summer sunshine has brought a significant increase in business at one of the city’s leading hotels.
The Ayrlington has been packed to the rafters as holidaymakers descended on the tourist hotspot to take advantage of far better than forecast weather.
The landmark hotel, being marketed by Colliers International at a cool £2.5m, ticks all the boxes for visitors to the city, according to Hotels director Simon Wells.
He said: “The Ayrlington overlooks the Rec and Bath Abbey and makes the ideal base for tourists keen to explore the Georgian city.
“With occupancy hitting 98.2 per cent it is clear visitors are returning to Bath in droves. The Ayrlington was just about full with just two rooms available. This has now been a trend for the whole summer.”
Colliers International has been instructed alongside Christie & Co to sell the hotel, which is an easy walk from must-see tourist destinations including the Roman baths and new spa centre.
Simon Wells said: “July was very strong, 15% up on last year and August is looking just as positive as the crowds are now back in force.”
He said last summer’s Olympic games had raised expectations and skewed visitor figures in 2012.
He said: “Last summer was very confused for the industry due to the London Olympics as foreign tourists were actively told to stay away. Thankfully this summer shows normal service has been resumed.”
Built in the early 1860s, this substantial listed property sits in a good size plot and, unusually for the centre of Bath, has car parking for guests. With a profitable turnover of £505,710 net of VAT, the hotel also includes superb three bedroom flat for the owners.
The most striking feature of the flat is the superb kitchen/diner which opens straight through into the Orangery.
Simon Wells said: “There have been a number of sales of similar sized businesses in Bath over the last few years and it is easy to see why they appeal to investors as well as the more traditional owner/occupier.
“The Ayrlington has seen an increase in revenue over the last few years as our clients have improved occupancies although there is still room for growth by creating extra letting accommodation and by extracting maximum benefit from internet marketing.
“Our clients bought the property in 2000 and then refurbished throughout. They also further extended it in 2006. It is now time to pursue other business interests which gives new owners an opportunity to acquire the Ayrlington.”
The 16 letting bedrooms will sleep 32 (15 doubles, one twin and of those. Two of the bedrooms have four poster beds and three have additional single beds.
